DOG SHOWS - DOG AGILITY

Lough Farm has plenty of space and facilities for Dog Shows, but by far the favourite  pursuits to be staged are Dog Agility events.

At the present time, because of public liability problems, the individual dog agility events are for competitors themselves, rather than for spectators.  However if you are keen to be a spectator, then keep in touch with this site and 'phone the relevant dog clubs to be kept informed.

For those of you who have just chanced across this fun and exciting sport, please use the website links below to find out more about local Cumbrian teams and how you might get involved with your own dog. 

Dogs must be over the age of 18 months to compete, however there is a Not For Competition class which dogs over 4 months can enter.  All dogs should be registered with The Kennel Club under The Kennel Club Regulations for Classification and Registration B.  You will find lots of details and downloadable forms from the links given below.

As an event, Dog Agility is believed to have first came about at Crufts 1978, when a course was put together for 'a bit of fun' for dogs and their handlers to enjoy and entertain the crowds.  Two teams were asked if they would take part, one from Lincolnshire Alsatian Association and All Breeds Training Society and another from Yorkshire Working Trails Training Society.  The following year more teams took part and a new dog sport was born, taking place under new Kennel Club regulations in 1980.

An outdoor Agility Test area measures a minimum of 32m x 32m (35yds x 35yds).  The following types of obstacles are included; 'A' ramp, Dog Walk, See Saw, Hurdles, Tyre Hoop, Long Jump, Pipe Tunnel, Collapsible Tunnel, Weaving Pole, Table, plus any further obstacles given in the Regulations at the discretion of the Judges.  A course would expect to have a minimum of 10 obstacles with a maximum of 20.

Nothing should be included which is in anyway dangerous to the dog or the handler.  Although taken seriously, the sport of Dog Agility is encouraged to be 'informal' and to be thoroughly enjoyed by canine and human competitors alike.