Agility is the fastest growing dog sport today and there are many agility trials open to the

Xoloitzcuintli. Some options are the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), the North

American Dog Agility Conference (NADAC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). Dogs of all

breeds and sizes compete in these trials. These groups are open to rare breed, pure bred

and "American bred" (mixed breed).

Dogs are measured at the whithers and classified by jumping heights. The jump heights

vary for different agility groups. The standard heights in inches are: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 22, 24

and 26 depending upon which agility group you enter your dog. In one group your dog may be

measured to jump 22 inches while another agility group may have your dog jumping at 16

inches. A trial will be divided by these height classes and also by Novice/Starters,

Open/Advanced, and Elite/Master levels.These are the standard/regular agility trials.

For the older dogs, age 7 and up there is a veterans/seniors class. The dogs jump at a lower

height and the course time is longer than the standard/regular classes. You may advance

from Novice/Starters up to the Elite/Masters within the veterans/seniors classes. There is

also a junior handlers class for youngster under 17. It is a real joy watching the smaller

children with their dogs. They always receive a big hand from the audience.

There are also "games" that you may enter. The two most popular are "gamblers" and

"jumpers" which are optional titles. Gamblers allows you to plan your own course, achieving

the most points within a time limit and finishing a mandatory timed course set by the judge.

This is a strategy game and allows you and your dog to warm up for the standard/regular

trials. Jumpers is what the name implies. Make the most jumps possible within a time limit.

The agility course is designed by the

judge which will usually consist of

obstacles numbering from about 14 to

20 depending upon the level that your

dog is competing in. The more

advanced that your dog is, the more

obstacles and the more difficult the

course. The equipment is standardized for each agility group. However, one

agility group may have an "A" frame height of 6 feet 3 inches while another

group may have the same identical obstacle set at 5 feet 8 inches.

The obstacles are: "A"-frame, dog walk, teeter board, rigid tunnel, collapsed tunnel, tire jump,

wing jumps, double jumps, weave poles and pause table. The UKC has additional

obstacles such as the the sway bridge, swing plank and others. All obstacles may be used

more than once in a single course. For instance, 2 tunnels, 4 wing jumps, 2 spread jumps,

1 A frame, 1 dog walk, 1 teeter board. 1 table and 1 weave poles. The course may loop back

to use any obstacle more than once to obtain the number of obstacles required for a

particular class, such as 14 obstacles for the novice and 20 for the Elite. Many agility

competitors build their own equipment to practice on. The home handyman can build a piece

at a time and before you know it, you have an agility course in your own yard. I have built all

the obstacles to specifications and purchased 2 tunnels with a total cost of less than

$600.00 for a complete agility course.

If you are familiar with obedience you will quickly learn some basic differences. First, there is

no precision heeling, sitting, forging, lagging, or having almost unlimited time to complete

your exercise. Secondly, agility definitely is a time controlled sport based on speed. After the

course is set up the judge will measure the distance from start to finish and a standard time

is given to complete the course. In order to receive a qualification run you must complete your

run within the set time with no faults. The times generally are between 55 and 65 seconds.

If you have no faults or penalties you will have a clean run and receive a qualification and/or a

placement ribbon. Ribbon placements are given based on the fastest 4 dogs completing the

course. Three qualifying runs and your dog receives an agility title for the level that you are

competing in.

The Xoloitzcuintli most definitely can compete in agility. The size of the miniature and small

standard Xolos are ideal for the agility course and obstacles. It has been my experience in

obedience and agility with Taco that the Xoloitzcuintli is very intelligent and learns quickly.

Others will observe that the Xolo excels in obedience and agility and will comment on their

accomplishments. A Xolo can enter agility training classes and do very well in a short time.

However, if the Xolo

has received

obedience training

prior to entering

agility you will find it

easier for you and

the dog to quickly

advance. After 5 or 6

months of agility

training your Xolo should be ready for entry into agility trials. The first few shows that you

enter should be considered as training exercises. Don't expect too much during these

first shows, mistakes will be made by both the handler and dog.

One of the main things that you must have in agility is control and that starts with obedience.

You must have your dog under control, following your verbal commands and hand/body

signals. Many times I have observed dogs at an agility trial that failed because the handler

did not have control. The dog ran where it wanted to, missing obstacles, missing verbal

commands and hand/body signals. Watch others while they are running the course and pick

out the best handlers and dogs as examples to follow. You can learn just as much from

watching bad handlers and try not to make the same mistakes that they do. Be observant, all

of this is part of your training. You and your Xolo will gain more confidence with each trial you

enter. The dog is only as good as the handler and a well trained handler makes a well

trained dog. The handler must plan his strategy for the course while maintaining control of

his dog and thinking ahead to the next obstacle. Each trial course is new and different and

creates a new challenge for the handler and dog.

It's not as easy as it looks but the Xoloitzcuintli can do it and do it well! Agility is always fun for

the dogs, keep it fun and keep your dog happy. You will find that people at agility trials are

friendly and supportive, so go make friends and have fun!!!