AKC Agility Divisions

[MyPemCharlie]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday reading the AKC Agility Regulations. I'm confused about why there is a Division A and Division B. The Novice Division A is for dogs who don't have an agility title and the handler has never put a dog through an agility title. Division B is (briefly) for more experienced handlers/dogs. The regulations say that a dog can be entered into Division B at the handlers discretion (even if qualified for Division A???)

The number of obstacles, time, and qualifiers appear to be identical between the two Divisions. The title is the same. I don't really understand why there are two divisions: A is not any easier or different than B (unless I'm missing something).

Can someone tell me if there is any advantage in entering one division or the other? Charlie and I certainly qualify for Div A, but why do it?

I probably missed something.

Now that Spring is around the corner, I'm going to start building a few agility pieces for the backyard.

[missfancypants25]

This is just a guess, because I really don't know much about agility yet but maybe it's because if you have never competed before it gives you the chance to compete with other inexperienced people. Maybe the obstacles are no harder in B, but the competition is a lot harder because they have experience.

[glencorgi]

You need to enter in A Chris. B will put you in with more experienced handlers and that's were the difference lies in whether you go A or B.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

You need to enter in A Chris. B will put you in with more experienced handlers and that's were the difference lies in whether you go A or B.

Debbie

Well I may be completely confused. Aren't the dogs/handlers essentially competing against the clock and for a clean enough run to get points? For example, if Charlie were needing one more run to get the Novice Agility title and we ran within the time and accomplished the obstacles to qualify, he would get his title even if he were not the fastest/best dog in his division?

I'm sure it doesn't happen often, but technically (by some fluke) every dog in the competition could be a the right point in their career to qualify for and get their next title. So even the slowest dog could title, as long as he/she met AKC required the times?

Sorry...this is obviously a total novice question, and I still don't quite get it. My reason for entering Division A is just to have a better chance to beat some of the other dogs on time? Or are only a certain number of winners in the trial allowed to move to the next title?

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Sorry...this is obviously a total novice question, and I still don't quite get it. My reason for entering Division A is just to have a better chance to beat some of the other dogs on time? Or are only a certain number of winners in the trial allowed to move to the next title?

Has nothing to do with any of that - it has to do with you as a handler and Charlie as a first time runner - Novice Division A is for dogs who don't have an agility title and the handler has never put a dog through an agility title. Once you have put a title on Charlie, doesn't mean that you are going to be at the handling experience level of someone who has put a MACH6 on their corgi, a MACH on their newest one and is working on a MACH4 on another of their dogs. By going Novice A - it may help you be able to get into trials; Novice B may fill up more quickly and if you run in B, you might not get into some trials. That's one possibility. Once you enter in B, there's no going back to A, even IF you don't qualify or get a title. IF you run with a qualifying time, then you'll get a qualifying ribbon and a leg towards the title you are after.

Debbie

[glencorgi]

Another way to maybe look at it is, I'm not going to enter my six month old puppy in the Open class his first time in show ring even though I can. Doesn't mean he might not be as good or as well trained as the dogs in the Open class - he needs to get his feet wet. Same thing with you and Charlie in agility - use Novice A to get your feet wet.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

I understand that my handling experience will never equal someone who's put several dogs through MACH level (or any level at this point). LOL My confusion is over the regulation quote, "Dogs eligible for Novice A may be entered in the Novice B class at the discretion of the owner." Why would they allow that?

If they had left that sentence out, I wouldn't have any question. Is there any possible reason you can think of that an inexperienced owner like myself would ever want to exercise that option to enter B, when they can run in A?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Well I may be completely confused. Aren't the dogs/handlers essentially competing against the clock and for a clean enough run to get points? For example, if Charlie were needing one more run to get the Novice Agility title and we ran within the time and accomplished the obstacles to qualify, he would get his title even if he were not the fastest/best dog in his division?

Yes, you can qualify even if you're not the fastest dog.

I'm sure it doesn't happen often, but technically (by some fluke) every dog in the competition could be a the right point in their career to qualify for and get their next title. So even the slowest dog could title, as long as he/she met AKC required the times?

Right.

Sorry...this is obviously a total novice question, and I still don't quite get it. My reason for entering Division A is just to have a better chance to beat some of the other dogs on time? Or are only a certain number of winners in the trial allowed to move to the next title?

The AKC sees that an owner that has trained a dog to a title has a slight edge. Usually for a placement. And some want those placements (first through fourth). For just a qualifying ribbon it shouldn't make any difference.

However, a judge might be more forgiving in the Novice A class knowing the owner/handler there has never put a title on a dog yet. He/She might not be as forgiving of a small mistake in Novice B thinking the person there should know better since they have more experience.

Enter Novice A.

Peggy

[glencorgi]

Let's use Australian Shepherds for example. Back before they were AKC approved they had ASCA (still do). ASCA offers obedience, agility, conformation, herding, etc. So for someone who had competed with one of their Aussies in ASCA events, they could easily handle going into AKC in the B classes.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

Oh, I get it. Thanks you two! We're still months away from entering anything at this point, but I like to have my "ducks in a row" in advance.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Oh, I get it. Thanks you two! We're still months away from entering anything at this point, but I like to have my "ducks in a row" in advance.

Good luck when you do enter!

Peggy

[MyPemCharlie]

Thank you! With the "hot spell" we had this week, I started thinking about building a few agility obstacles to start a little training (no jumps yet) in the yard. I was reading the AKC regulations for dimensions on obstacles and ending up getting totally confused on the Division differences. Got side-tracked...again.

[Michael Romanos]

In New Zealand, locals cannot compete in agility, obedience, trialling and conformation unless they are members of the NZ Kennel Club. The cheapest membership in NZ is through the Wellington Welsh Corgi Walking Club because we only charge members $5 per annum and through us the NZKC fees are around $40 per annum.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

In New Zealand, locals cannot compete in agility, obedience, trialling and conformation unless they are members of the NZ Kennel Club. The cheapest membership in NZ is through the Wellington Welsh Corgi Walking Club because we only charge members $5 per annum and through us the NZKC fees are around $40 per annum.

In the US you do not need to belong to a local club or any club to compete in any dog shows or trials.

Peggy