British Dog Agility Trivia Quiz

Answer: small medium and large

These descriptions changed on January 2006. Before that it was mini, midi and standard.

Mini and Midi handlers didn't like their dogs being 'nonstandard'. It was also very difficult to distinguish between 'mini' and 'midi' over public address systems at shows.

Answer: all contact equipment

The contact equipment is the dog walk, A frame and see-saw. The dog has to be trained to pause at the end of these pieces of equipment so they make contact with the coloured sections, if they miss the 'contact' at either end of the equipment they will be given a five point fault.
Jumping courses are considered less taxing as the dogs are not asked to 'get their contacts'. Agility courses, with contacts, gain more points than jumping courses, towards the 'Agility Warrant'.

Answer: EMDAC

EMDAC (East Midlands Dog Agility Club) led by June Bass and Steve Retter ran a very successful season of competitions under their own rules. In view of the number of BKC members attending these competitions the BKC had to capitulate.


EMDAC rules involved a lower A frame, lower jumps for large dogs and several other rules invented to protect dogs' health. Interestingly it was not long after this that the KC changed jump heights and A frame heights.

In Britain now, we have a huge range of independent competitions across the country which enables handlers of all abilities to find something that suits them and their dogs.

Answer: weeing on the course

You might think weeing on the course is a very minor offence. Unfortunately it is in the nature of dogs to investigate any smells around, and fresh wee would definitely distract the next few dogs running on that course.

The show managers will provide each ring with a bucket of water to dilute the wee and often a disinfectant spray to mask the smell.

None of the other events justify being eliminated in Britain although a barking dog can be very annoying. I don't think I've ever seen a Border Terrier complete a course without barking madly all the way round.
Missing a contact is Brit speak for the dog jumping over the painted area at the end of a piece of contact equipment and would only result in a fault.

Answer: Greg and Laura Derrett

Greg is a well known figure in the USA where he does a lot of teaching. His wife Laura is American. No wonder their rules verge toward the AKC!

Steve Croxford is the manager of the British Agility Team
Rosemary and Ian run the independent 'Orchard' shows
Nigel and Emma run Dashing Dogs under KC rules

Answer: you have faulted

In a 'Time Fault and Out' course the aim is to run the complete course without a fault and then go on to run it again, until you run out of time. The dog that completes most obstacles in the given time is the winner.

As soon as you make an error the judge blows their whistle to signal that you have faulted and you must leave the ring by the finish gate.

If you don't fault within the given time, then the timer blows a whistle to tell you that time is up and you must leave the ring by the finish gate.

Answer: That it is a novelty class and no points can be claimed towards the Agility Warrant.

Special classes are put into show listings to boost the number of runs a dog is able to do. Dogs would normally do an agility run and a jumping run, counting towards the Agility Warrant, then usually two others which would be specials. Specials are; time fault and out, gamblers, steeplechase, helter skelter etc.

Note: this only applies to British Kennel Club competitions. The other authorities include these types of classes in their progression tables.

Answer: it is up to the judge

Yes believe it or not there is no course measuring in BKC shows. The judge can just pluck a number from the sky!

Often a judge runs their own dog round the course to get a rough idea of time.

In fact this system works quite well and it means judges can take into consideration local conditions and weather.

Dogs are expected to complete the course within the course time. If they exceed it they will be given 'time faults'. This means they do not get a coveted 'clear round' rosette for completing the course without mistakes and within the course time.

Answer: no food to be held in the hand

Many experienced agility people believe the British Kennel Club says no food in the ring but this is wrong. You are allowed food not in the hand - so technically you could run with a sausage in your mouth.
Most judges get round this by making clear in their briefing that they want no food in their ring.

Food dropped accidentally by handlers can be a distraction for dogs running the same course later.

Answer: tunnels

Steeplechases have become more popular recently, having been introduced by UKA.

They are fast flowing courses which most dogs enjoy. There are no weaves or contacts to slow them down and they can just race around the course.

This is my Yorkie's favourite type of course!