For the Public

Dog agility is a dynamic sport where dogs navigate an obstacle course, guided by their handlers, aiming for both speed and accuracy. The course typically includes hurdles, tunnels, weave poles, and dog walks, requiring the dog to demonstrate agility, intelligence, and strong communication with their handler. Originating from the United Kingdom in the late 1970s, dog agility has grown into a popular competitive and recreational activity worldwide. It’s a fantastic way for dogs and their owners to bond, stay active, and have fun together.

The Agility Association of Canada (AAC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of dog agility across Canada, regardless of pedigree. Founded in 1988, the AAC sets uniform and safe standards for agility competitions. Regional Championships are held annually, serving as both prestigious events and qualifiers for the National Championships. Dogs must qualify at their respective Regional Championship or through a pre-qualifier to compete at the Nationals. These events are organized by member clubs, which volunteer to host and manage the competitions.  The annual AAC Regional competition for the BC/Yukon region is one of the largest in Canada, consisting of teams of handlers from all over the Lower Mainland, Interior, and Vancouver Island of BC, as well as from the Yukon.  Many American competitors also attend the event.

In AAC dog agility regional competitions, scoring is based on a combination of speed and accuracy across various runs. Competitors must complete two Jumpers runs, two Standard runs, and two Gambler runs. Each run is timed, and faults (such as knocking down a bar or missing a contact zone) result in penalties that add to the dog’s time or deduct from their score. The aggregate score from these runs determines the winners, with the highest-scoring dogs in each category being declared the regional champions.