Hunter's Heart Brittanys - Agility Competition and Classes

(38 seconds, 1 MB) This Novice NADAC Tunnelers run was at the Fezdome, in Calgary, Alberta, on March 23, 2002. You'll need Real Video player installed on your computer to play the movie. You can download the player for free at www.real.com. Or click here to view the Windows Media version instead. (38 seconds, 5 MB)

Click here for more information about "Chief", Cdn / Mex / IABCA & FCI (Int'l) Ch. Huntersheart Big Chief, CGC.

DESCRIPTION of AGILITY TRAINING
& COMPETITION (For Beginners)

photo: NVee learning to jump with bars safely on the floor

Agility is a very popular activity for people & their dogs. Both mixed breed & purebred dogs are eligible to compete. Brittanys' tendency towards a lack of health problems & their natural athletic ability are advantages in this sport (i.e. they usually don't have any physical limitations that prevent them from participating). Agility is fast-paced & fun for dogs and their owners.

Basically, the sport of agility is a race to complete an "obstacle course", including: tunnels, jumps, walls, bridges, chute, weave poles, tire jump, teeter-totter, A-frame and more. You move with your dog around the course & direct him to take the obstacles in the order they're presented.

photo: Chief going over a winged jump

One nice thing about agility training is that you don't have to correct your dog when he makes a mistake. All you do is backtrack to the beginning of the obstacle & have him try again!

AGILITY CLASSES in the CALGARY AREA

The following is a partial listing of agility classes in Calgary, and a short "blurb" about what they offer.

photo: Chief coming out of a tunnel

If you are attending or providing agility classes or seminars or competition, feel free to E-mail us at: webmaster@huntersheart.com with the details so we can post the information on our website. (Please include dates & times, exact location, and name, phone number, & e-mail/website of person who can be contacted for further information.)

The Educated Canine (SE Calgary)
- Sandra Howarth, ph: 226-3301,
- edcanine@cadvision.com
- Fun, non-competitive, small group classes.
- One 90 minute class/week for 8 weeks.
- Novice class introduces tunnels, jumps, walls, bridges, chute, weave poles, tire jump & teeter-totter.
- Intermediate class.
- Held at Willow Ridge Community Center, 680 Acadia Dr SE (turn South at Southland & Acadia Dr, community center is opposite a 7-11 store) (Dec. 15 '99)

AGILITY LINKS & ORGANIZATIONS

Want to get involved in agility trials or just learn more about the sport? The following is a partial list of agility organizations and links.

photo: Chief pushes his way through the end of the chute

www.nadac.com
- NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) holds agility trials, including many in Canada. There's an online version of their rules, and calendar of events.

http://www.ukcdogs.com/index.html
- The UKC offers agility across Canada & the U.S.A., as well as conformation & obedience. They publish a magazine about these events & dogs in general.

- www.usdaa.com
- info@usdaa.com
- USDAA, The United States Dog Agility Association, Inc.
PO Box 850955
Richardson, Texas 75085-0955
TEL: (972) 231-9700
FAX: (214) 503-0161
- local contact: Cathy Nesbitt, ph: (403) 243-3519
On-Track Agility Club
455 42nd Ave. SE
Calgary, AB
T2G 1Y3
- This is an international organization that licenses affiliate groups throughout North America. (Canadian clubs include groups in Alberta and Manitoba.) In addition to organizing agility competitions, they publish a newsletter for members.