Agility competitions are favorites among dog enthusiasts. Agility competition is a great way to keep your dog active and fit in body as well as keep his mind active and alert. It's also a great way to spend time and bond with your dog, since dog and owner work closely together when running agility courses.
Agility courses are, simply put, an obstacle course for dogs. Each obstacle course will have several different sorts of obstacles, including hoops, "teeter-totter" type devices, dog walks (like a "catwalk"), A-frame obstacles and tunnels, along with other jumps and obstacles. The course must be run by the dog in the correct order and within a specified period of time. The expected time is determined in part by the skill level of the competition. The dog's handler directs the dog from the sidelines with hand and voice commands, ensuring that the dog knows which obstacle to tackle next. Dogs earn points for completing the course in the correct order, executing the obstacles smoothly and completing the course within the specified period of time.
The American Kennel Club hosts agility events that are open to all dog breeds. If your dog is registered with the AKC, he is eligible to compete by simply registering as an agility competitor. The AKC hosts events all over the country and at different skill levels throughout the year. You can begin at a novice level with your collie and work up as his skills develop.
Breed clubs also host "collie only" agility competitions for collies. The Collie Club of America hosts many collie events, as do local collie associations all across the country. Many collie clubs include herding competitions as part of their agility events.
Collies are a particularly adept breed for agility courses. They are naturally graceful, agile and athletic, so they are typically able to execute courses with speed, and elegance. They are also a very intelligent breed of dog, so they thrive on the mental challenge that comes with executing a different course at every competition. And, they are a working breed, so they thrive on having a purpose in life and on having the physical challenge that comes with competing in agility.
Competing in agility events with your collie is a great way to keep your pet healthy, happy and mentally engaged. It's also a great hobby for you as a dog owner, since you get plenty of opportunity to interact with your dog and with other dog owners. Agility competitions are great events for families and competing with your collie can be a perfect family hobby. There's no breed better suited to agility competitions than collies, and yours is sure to love every minute of the action.
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