AKC Dog Agility Community

07/30/2025

Agility Field Staff Challenge Measurement

Beginning August 1st, Agility Field Staff will have the responsibility of measuring ANY dog that they feel is not in the proper height class. Selection of dog to be remeasured is solely at the discretion of the Agility Field Staff.

How it Works:

If a dog has been identified by Agility Field Staff as required to be measured, the exhibitor will bring the dog in question to the Agility Field Staff member for measuring. Failure to do so is grounds for misconduct.

Additionally, if measurement is refused or dog is unable to be measured, the identified dog will be placed on referral, which means that the dog will not be eligible to enter ANY AKC event until such time as a measurement can be recorded.

Once the dog is measured, one of 2 things will happen:

1. The dog’s height is confirmed in its current jump height, and a copy of the measuring form is issued with the Agility Field Staff member’s name and the word “Confirmed” written on the form. The dog can no longer be re-measured by an Agility Field Staff member.

2. The dog’s height is NOT confirmed in its current jump height a copy of the measuring form is issued with the new height and the dog MUST be moved into the proper height effective immediately for any remaining classes. The Agility Field Staff member will sign and write on the measuring form “NEW HEIGHT.” At this point, the dog will jump in the new height, and it will be the responsibility of the owner to have the dog remeasured by a 2nd Agility Field Staff member to confirm the new height.

a. If the 2nd Agility Field Staff member measures the dog into the same height as the 1st, the process is done, the owner will receive a copy of the measuring form and a new Jump Height Card will be issued.

b. If the 2nd Agility Field Staff member measures the dog into a different height than the first, it is the responsibility of the owner to get the dog measured by a 3rd Agility Field Staff member as a tie breaker. The dog remains in the height that the 1st Agility Field Staff member measured it into until the tie breaker. A copy of the measuring form will be given to the owner and if the dog is in a new height, a new Jump Height Card is issued.

Owners/handlers should have a copy of the Staff Challenge measurement form(s) available at all times to be produced should another Staff member question the dog’s measurement.

Any questions should be addressed to the Director of Agility.

07/22/2025

This is to announce an enhancement to Agility online plans that makes it easier for clubs to manage their events. The new Manage Classes function found on the Online Event Management page can be found on the home page (https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/eventplans/index.cfmas)

The new function will allow clubs to add and remove classes such as Time2Beat, FAST, Premier, etc. to previously corresponding events instead of having to email/contact the Agility department. Instructions on how this function works can be found where it says ‘View Help Guide’ once you click on the Manage Classes page:

If you are having any problems please email at [email protected].

07/22/2025

Team USA Makes History on the International Stage

The summer of 2025 will be remembered as a defining moment for AKC agility on the global stage—thanks to a series of historic results achieved by Team USA at two of the world’s most prestigious international events: the European Open (EO) and the Senior Open Agility World Championship (SOAWC).

At the 2025 European Open in Portugal, Team USA accomplished something unprecedented: a U.S. team claimed the first-ever European Open Team Finals gold medal at any height category. The Intermediate team Forever in Flight delivered a standout performance in the finals to take home the win—a hard-earned and well-deserved victory that has already been recognized as a major breakthrough for the United States in international agility.

In the Large Individual competition, Perry DeWitt and Genuine represented Team USA with distinction, finishing 2nd overall in one of the most competitive divisions in the event’s history. Their result ranks among the highest-ever placements for an American team at the European Open and underscores the growing competitiveness of U.S. agility abroad.

At the same time, the U.S. Senior Team dominated at the 2025 Senior Open Agility World Championship, finishing atop the overall medal table with five golds, one silver, and three bronzes. Their performance solidified the United States’ position as a world leader across age divisions and height classes.

Team and Individual Medalists – 2025 SOAWC

Gold Medals
Team Gold – Small
• Laura Dolan & Coos/Pre
• Jen Pinder & Wicca
• Powers & Chibi

Team Gold – Medium:
• Deb Schulman & Trek
• Cynthia Hornor & Nimbl
• Tammie Gigstad & Maui
• Lisa Suttner & Rigby

Individual Golds:
• Laura Dolan & Pre – O55 Small Individual Combined
• Deb Schulman & Trek – O65 Medium Individual Combined
• Lisa Suttner & Rigby – O55 Medium Individual Combined

Silver Medal
• Debbie McLean & Gem – O65 Medium Individual Combined

Bronze Medals
• Susan Bintliff & Minute – O55 Medium Individual Combined
• Laura Dolan & Pre – O55 Small Individual Combined
• Sally Connell & Kit – O55 Large Individual Combined

Team USA’s Junior delegation also made an impressive showing at EO, with multiple finalists and strong runs that reflect the deepening bench of young U.S. talent being nurtured through domestic programs.

The AKC ISC program has provided a crucial bridge between domestic competition and FCI-style international agility, allowing American competitors to train and prepare at the highest level without having to leave U.S. soil. Team USA has proven yet again it can stand atop the podium—and thanks to the foundation built through AKC ISC, the future has never looked more promising.

07/01/2025

Get out of the heat and watch some exciting agility on Saturday, July 6th.

Watch the AKC Agility Premier Cup 2025 on ESPN at 3:30pm ET on July 5, featuring top agility dogs jumping, weaving, and sprinting their way to the win!

06/14/2025

06/05/2025

MACH to PACH Program Update

The launch of the MACH to PACH program has been delayed until January 1, 2026 due to unforeseen programming challenges currently being addressed by the IT department. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure a smooth and accurate implementation.

06/02/2025

AKC National Agility Championship 2027

The 2027 NAC will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Expo Square March 11-14. Qualifications will be posted at a later date.

05/23/2025

To support the continued growth of the AKC ISC program, we’re updating submission policies for all international course designers—effective for courses (not already submitted), starting August 4, 2025.

These changes are designed to improve efficiency of review and help designers and clubs work together more seamlessly.
Please review these requirements and as always, thank you for your continued support & cooperation of our fast-growing program!

05/23/2025

The AKC Agility Department is excited to announce the following new provisional judges to the program:
• Christie Bowers – TX
• Peyton Green – OR
• Sandra Kistler – OH
• Darci Wagner Kvam - MN
• Scott Reichinger – NY
• Barbara Standiford – OR
• Amanda Leigh Stipe - NC
• Danielle Wagner - MN
• Jordan York - IN

This group of provisional judges are available to judge beginning October 1, 2025
The following revisions in our program are designed to help meet the growing need for judges. This proposal will allow provisional judges more latitude in accepting judging assignments. All assignments are subject to scheduling for Field Rep supervision/attendance. Please be reminded that schedules are established well in advance, void of holidays, and those adjacent to/during AKC events.
AKC Provisional Agility Judge Progression

LEVEL 1 – FIRST TWO (2) ASSIGNMENTS
• May accept Novice/Open, FAST and T2B as a sole judge
• Eligible to judge ALL levels through Ex/M & Premier (exception ISC) when splitting an assignment with another fully approved judge (if all levels are included).
• 350 run max per day total between two judges, if one ring
• TWO-day maximum assignment
• One judging assignment in a 30-day period

LEVEL 2 – OTHER ASSIGNMENTS
• May accept all levels – individual or joint (no ISC until full status)
• Eligible for 3-day assignment (could be solo or multiple judges)
• One assignment in a 30-day period for each

05/22/2025

Trial Confirmations

Trial Secretaries...As a reminder, please include the judge(s) when sending out final confirmations with the judging schedule.

05/21/2025

Reminder: Training on the Show Grounds

Per the Regulations for Agility Trials:

Chapter 4, Section 16. Training on Trial Grounds. No agility obstacle training is allowed on the trial grounds except for the use of the warm-up jump. No training is allowed on the trial equipment starting at 12:00 am the first day of the trial(s). If the club chooses to build the course for the next day per Chapter 4, Section 6 then the restriction on obstacle training goes into effect at the point the course is built. The restriction on training/use of the trial equipment extends to 30 minutes after the completion of the trial (on the last day of any set of trials).

05/20/2025

Notice to Clubs and Trial Organizers – ISC Class Limits Updated
Effective May 1st, clubs are no longer limited on the number of ISC classes they may offer at a trial. This change is reflected in Appendix A of the February 2025 AKC Board Minutes and updates the Regulations for Agility Trials and Agility Course Test (ACT), Chapter 14, Section 4.

The previous “Special Event” format has been eliminated for ISC, and trial formats have been streamlined. ISC classes may now be held:

In conjunction with an AKC-approved agility trial (clubs may offer more than two ISC classes per day),
Or as ISC-only events.
Please note: Judges may not exceed 350 runs per day, including ISC entries.

For full details, please see the attached regulation update or consult the February 2025 Board Minutes on the AKC website.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/09152801/Board-Minutes-February-2025-FINAL-PUBLISHED-Amended.pdf