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Frequently Asked Questions
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Registration and Entering Shows
Q. What name or affix can I have?
A. Any name can be had, as long as it is not a duplication of any previously registered dog’s name. An affix is a prefix noted before your dog’s name. The only control on a dog’s proposed name by UKA will be, if it is found to be offensive.
Q. Why do handlers and owners have to register?
A. All handlers and owners must be registered with UKA in order to compete in any UK Agility event. Your registration number allows UKA to track your results, in order to establish what each member has achieved. All members may purchase the UK Agility Rules and Regulations book therefore giving all members the opportunity to become knowledgeable of our rules and regulations. These can also be viewed online for free.
Q. How do I register my dog and myself with UKA?
A. You can register with UKA by post or online. Registration forms are available in all show schedules, in all UKA Rulebooks and can also be downloaded online. Click here to download a registration form.
Q. I don’t like using my credit card online, what are my options for payment when registering or entering a show online?
A. When you register or enter online you will have the option to pay by credit card or pay by posting a cheque. Presently the credit card option is not available. If you wish to pay by cheque or postal order, simply click on that option. You will receive an automatic confirmation email, and a cheque payable to UK Agility for the amount owing, will need to be posted to “Corbiere, Longdon Hill, Wickhamford, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 7RP”. All cheques should be received within 5 days of registration or online entries. Please include your name and membership number on the reverse of the cheque.
Q. Why are UKA shows capped?
A. To ensure maximum amount of runs are provided per dog, UKA shows will all have a capping level applied depending on the show space and other conditions that may affect the number of runs per dog.
Q. Why do you have opening dates on the schedules?
A. The opening date allows entries to be taken in as fair a way as possible taking into account the capping rules. All competitors know when entries are open and therefore everyone is on an equal footing.
Q. What happens if I send my entry in by post and it arrives before the opening date?
A. Unfortunately if this occurs, UKA rules and regulations state that your entry will not be accepted and will be returned. This is because there is no other fair way to run the capping level. Please note, if you use a registered postal service, it must not require a signature.
Q. What happens if I enter a show and my first dog is accepted but my second dog or partner’s dog is over the capping level?
A. Exceptions to the capping limit would be made in these instances only.
Q. If I am transferring from The Kennel Club system, do I still have to begin in Beginners?
A. UKA will allow dogs who are competing under The Kennel Club system to transfer to an equivalent level in UKA as follows:
| Kennel Club Levels |
UKA Performance Programme |
UKA Steeplechase Programme |
| Grade 1, 2 |
Beginners |
SC Beginners |
| Grade 3, 4 |
Novice |
SC Novice |
| Grade 5, 6 |
Senior |
SC Senior |
| Grade 7 |
Champion |
SC Champion |
Once a dog is registered with UK Agility, results from other organisations do not count towards progression through the levels in UK Agility.
Once a dog is registered with UK Agility, it cannot be registered again under a different name.
Q. What if I do not know my dogs’ height when entering my first show?
A. Competitors should enter the class they believe their dog is eligible for. To measure your dog, have the dog placed in a standing position on a flat surface such as a table. The measurement is taken from the perpendicular line from the top of the dog’s withers to the flat surface. Once at the show it is advisable to have your dog officially measured before you compete. You will be able to transfer to the correct class, if you have entered under the wrong jump height. You must take your record book with you to the show to have your measure officially recorded. Record books will also be available to purchase at shows.
Q. Why does it cost a bit more to enter UKA shows?
A. The number of rosettes and trophies awarded corresponds with the number of entries taken per show. Rosettes are provided for the top 10% of each class (except Casual and Nursery), and can include qualifying or non qualifying rounds. All results are recorded online, which incurs a lot more additional work in the running and management of this facility. If you compare entry fee costs to other dog sports in the UK, and to agility entry costs worldwide, we feel that you are getting incredible value for money. UKA is an organisation that is solely run for agility.
Q. What if I want to run a UKA show?
A. If you are interested in running a UKA show please contact us directly at enquiries@ukagility.com. UKA offers a complete show management system that will assist you with the arranging and running of your show in any manner of ways. In addition, UKA provide backing and support from an experienced team.
Q. Can the Kennel Club take any action against me if I compete, judge or manage a UKA event?
A. The kennel club press release of Monday 15th September 2003 stated:
The Kennel Club wishes to make it clear that it is ultimately a matter of choice as to whether an Individual wishes to participate in an unlicensed agility event. The Kennel Club also wishes to confirm that participation in any capacity at such an agility event will not result in any sanction being imposed by the Kennel Club.
Q. Are shows insured?
A. Yes all UKA shows are insured by UKA.
General Rules
Q. Why does UKA have 4 jump heights?
A. UKA has decided on 4 jump heights to more evenly split the numbers of the agility population. All dogs should now be able to compete against dogs of more similar sizes. These new jump height divisions create the opportunity for more dogs to be able to participate in the sport by making it fairer for the different breeds.
Q. Why has UKA chosen not to judge the up contact?
A. UKA has addressed competitors’ opinions regarding the up contact. It is felt by many that the judging of the up contact is nothing less than stride discrimination. There is also concern that for certain breeds; having to break stride pattern to ensure getting the up contact, could cause impact injuries.
Q. Why has UKA lowered the A-frame?
A. With increasing concern for impact injuries occurring in the sport, UKA has addressed competitors’ concerns again and made the decision to lower the A-frame heights to 5’11” for the 24 inch and 30 inch jump height, 5’8” for the 12 inch and 15 inch jump height, and a 5’3” A-frame for the Casual and Nursery classes.
Q. How do I go about doing a training round at a show?
A. You must notify the person in charge of the scribe sheets that you will be running not for competition (NFC). If you do not state NFC prior to your run and the judge deems you to be training in the ring you will be eliminated. If you repeat a piece of equipment and the judge deems this was done with training in mind, you will be dismissed from the ring.
Q. Can I use a clicker, food or toys in my training round?
A. No food or audible training aids or audible toys will be allowed in a competition ring. All other toys may be used but consideration should be taken not to distract other competitors in other rings.
Q. How will rule changes be decided and implemented?
A. UKA is a customer service based organisation and therefore encourages feedback from its customers. Rules will be changed in keeping in line with our mission statement. Any rule that is amended in relation to safety or at the discretion of UKA can be brought into immediate effect. Other rule changes will be implemented on the publication of the new rule book.
Programmes & Height Divisions
Q. Why does UKA have 2 programmes?
A. To meet the needs of all dogs and the competitive interests of all handlers. Our Performance Programme was developed to challenge the dog and handler in every aspect of agility. This Programme includes agility, jumping and games classes. Our Steeplechase Programme was developed to allow for a fun and fast paced event that aims to bring more fun and excitement back into the sport.
Q. Do my points for one programme count for points in the other programme?
A. No.
Q. Why has UKA incorporated games classes into the Performance Programme?
A. The games are designed to bring back the fun into agility. These classes also help to encourage new skills and bring new challenges to the sport. From listening to competitors from other countries it is apparent that once the games are understood they become a favourite class.
Q. Why have you introduced a Casual class?
A. The casual class is designed for the new dog, dog recovering from injury, or older dog where the handler would like to run the dog in the competition environment. This class will award placements and clear round rosettes. Results will not be recorded by UKA, thus it is not for progression and titles.
Casual classes will run both jumping and agility and shall follow the same rules as standard agility and jumping classes, however it allows the dog to jump one jump height lower than their competition height and the A-frame will be set lower too. The courses will not include spread jumps, long jumps or tyres. Weave poles may or may not be included in the casual jumping class.
Q. Why have you introduced a Nursery class?
A. The Nursery class is designed for the beginner handler and/or beginner dog that may need some ring experience by being offered a smooth flowing course without the seesaw, tyre, spread jump or weave poles. The A-frame will be set at 1.60m, and it allows the dog to jump any height except Maxi. Clear round rosettes are awarded, but no placement awards. Results will not be recorded by UKA, thus it is not for progression and titles.
Dogs must be at least 16 months of age to enter this class.
Q. Why has UKA chosen to allow dogs of 16 months of age and over to enter the Nursery class?
A. The idea of the class is to expose the younger dog to the competition environment. By removing the more difficult equipment and lowering the jump heights and A-frame, the handler and dog may have an easier transition from the training environment to the competition ring.
It is recognised by veterinarians consulted, that the growth plates of the majority of breeds of dogs are fully closed by 14 months of age.
Q. Why do I need to get my dog measured?
A. By having an official measure, dogs will be placed in their appropriate jump height without confusion or controversy. To receive a permanent jump height measurement, dogs must be either competing at the Maxi jump height, or must be over 2 years of age. All registered dogs are measured for free.
Q. How can I check on my dog’s progress?
A. All dogs registered will receive a UKA record book enabling the handler to record the dog’s progress. All results are recorded onto the UKA website www.ukagility.com under the owners’ record. It is your responsibility to contact the UKA office within 6 weeks if you believe the official online results are incorrect.
Q. What happens when I get a title with my dog?
A. When you win a title your dog will have the initials placed after their name. UKA will issue the relevant certificate for each achievement gained. You must notify the UKA office of any title gained
Q. What National finals are there and how do I qualify
A. UKA Nationals run for a week in the Summer and the Grand Finals runs at the end of the year. For further details click on the relevant link in the left hand menu on the UKA web page.
Q. Can I run a higher jump height than my dog measures? If so, can I later on choose to move my dog back down to their measured height?
A. You may always jump higher than your dog’s measured height. If you change height in either direction your results still stand.
Q. At what point am I out of Beginners for life?
A. Once a dog graduates from Beginners in the Steeplechase Programme or earns 24 points in the Performance Programme, (12 being in Agility) they can no longer enter the dog into Beginners level in the relevant Programme for life.
The 2 programmes that UKA runs are separate and results from 1 programme have no effect on the other programme.
If an owner has a second dog, and their first dog has already progressed from Beginners, the second dog can begin its’ own programme at Beginners level.
Q. How have UKA decided the different course times and different course times?
A. UKA has done extensive research into design and layout in regard to fair and safe course difficulties and fair yet challenging rates of travel that allow the opportunity for all dogs that have been well trained to achieve a level of success.
Q. Won’t it be incredibly easy to get a clear round?
A. UKA has set course standards for each level. Every course will also be measured and a course time formula will then be used to determine the standard course time (SCT). Because of these two directives, course difficulties and course times should be fair but challenging to the level at which you are competing.
Miscellaneous
Q. Are you going to regulate judges?
A. UKA states in its mission statement that it wishes to promote high standards in judging. With this in mind, in the future UKA intends to help with the training of judges in both judging and course design.
Q. If electronic timing is compulsory, what happens if it breaks down?
A. If during a competitor’s run, the electronic timing fails, the timer must immediately announce “timing failure”, notifying the judge of the malfunction. The competitor should continue on course until the judge stops the competitor. When the judge stops the run, the dog will then re-run for time, but will keep the faults incurred before the failure. If no faults were given and the dog faults an obstacle on the rerun before the place of failure, no faults will be given.
If at any time during a class, the electronic timing fails and cannot be replaced with another unit or fixed; manual timing will be used for the remainder of the class.
In the event that equipment breaks and cannot be replaced or fixed, the top 20 placements at the time of failure will rerun a new course. No new faults will be incurred, but new times will be given. During this time if the judge feels that the individual did not make a genuine effort to run clear in a sportsmanlike manner, it is in the judge’s right to eliminate that competitor. Those who ran clear prior to the failure are still considered clear and do not need to rerun.
Q. Who runs UKA?
A. Greg Derrett and Laura Derrett To contact either of them, please click on their names.
Any further questions please email info@ukagility.com and we will answer your query asap.
Postal Address: Corbiere, Longdon Hill, Wickhamford, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 7RP
Telephone queries: 01386 833283
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