If you are just getting started with agility equipment for dogs, you might be researching the various dog agility events in your area, some of which might be sanctioned by the United Kennel Club, or UKC. This is one of many organizations that sponsor agility competitions, and here’s a quick look at the UKC, their agility offerings and the type of equipment they use on their courses.
A Brief History Of The UKC
While it wasn’t the first dog registry organization in the United States, (that was the American Kennel Club, or AKC) the United Kennel Club was founded way back in 1898 by Chauncey Bennett. Bennett loved working dogs, and his emphasis was less about the look of a specific breed and more about its performance ability in general and the overall quality of breeding practices. While there just were 15 breeds recognized by the UKC in the early days, today the club recognizes more than 300 breeds categorized in many different groups, including companion dogs, guardian dogs, scenthounds, herding dogs and several more.
UKC Dog Sports
While you might be primarily occupied with UKC dog agility and agility equipment for dogs, the UKC actually has many different dog “sport” options. In addition to agility, they sponsor nosework competitions, lure coursing, dock jumping, rally obedience, weight pull and more. They also host a variety of hunting events throughout the year for breeds such as coonhounds, beagles, hunting retrievers, pointing dogs and others. When it comes to dog agility, they sponsor events throughout the United States as well as a few in Canada.
UKC Dog Agility
While mixed breeds cannot be registered with UKC in general, this doesn’t apply to agility contests as the UKC is committed to the idea that “all handlers, regardless of physical abilities, and all dogs, regardless of breed and physical structure,” should be allowed to participate in agility. There are several agility classes and within those classes there are several size divisions. After all, we wouldn’t expect a Pekingese to be able to handle the same jump sizes as a German shepherd.
UKC Agility Equipment For Dogs
When it comes to agility equipment for dogs, the UKC is a bit unique. Each course includes a variety of jumps as well as weave poles and contact equipment, such as a teeter, an A-frame, a dog walk, a tunnel and a pause table. In addition, the UKC also has a few interesting options you won’t see at an AKC or USDAA event, including a window jump, a swing plank and a sway bridge. All three of these pieces of dog agility equipment are available here at Carlson Agility, as well as the jumps, teeters, tunnels, weaves and other equipment used by UKC and other organizations.
To learn more about the United Kennel Club and UKC’s agility program, go to UKCDogs.com from there you can download the UKC’s comprehensive Official UKC Agility Rulebook as well as learning about their many dog programs. If you need any type of agility equipment for dogs, we have it all at Carlson Agility. In addition to standard-size agility equipment, we have mini equipment which is ideal for training smaller dogs and puppies and even dogs that are a bit timid about starting dog agility. We also have nosework supplies in stock and K9 training equipment in case you decide to branch out from agility training and try something new.
Brad Carlson enjoys dog agility training. To find agility equipment or to find more about training equipment for dog agility equipment, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com website, or if you have any questions, send us an email today.
