Glossary

Dog agility

A timed sport in which a handler directs a dog over an obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and ramps, open to purebred and mixed-breed dogs.

Also called: agility, agility trial, agility course, dog agility trial

In dog agility, a handler guides a dog through a course of obstacles in the right order, using voice and body signals and no leash. The obstacles include jumps, tunnels, a tall A-frame, a teeter-totter, a pause table and a row of weave poles. Judges score speed and accuracy, and a dog that knocks a bar, misses a contact zone or takes the wrong obstacle loses points or time.

Dogs run in height classes based on their height at the withers, so small and large dogs compete fairly. Most major registries, including the American Kennel Club, welcome mixed-breed dogs. It is a fast, athletic sport that suits many herding breeds, though any fit dog can take part.

Young dogs should not jump at full height until their growth plates close, so ask a veterinarian or an instructor how to start. It differs from obedience, where precision and control matter more than speed.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Rally A dog sport in which a handler and dog move through a course of numbered signs, each showing an exercise to perform, with talking and encouragement allowed. Obedience trial A formal dog sport that judges how precisely a dog performs set exercises such as heeling, recalls, stays and retrieves, in classes from Novice to Utility. Flyball A relay sport in which teams of four dogs race over hurdles to a box, catch a ball it releases, and run back to the line, judged on speed and accuracy. Herding trial A competition in which a dog gathers, drives and pens livestock such as sheep or cattle under a handler's direction, judged on control and ability.