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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 other dog’s name. The only other exception is if UKA consider the name to be offensive.
Q. Why do handlers and owners have to register?
A. By becoming a registered member of UK Agility people will be allowed to compete at UK Agility shows. With a registration number a persons results can be tracked allowing us to establish what each member has achieved. All members will receive the UK Agility Rules and Regulations book and therefore all members have the opportunity to become knowledgeable of our rules and regulations.
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? If you wish to pay by cheque, simply click on that option and put a cheque in the post for the amount owing. You will receive an automatic email informing you of the amount, the address to send the cheque to and when it needs to be received by.
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. For a limited time, UKA is allowing 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 |
| Starters |
Beginners |
SC Beginners |
| Novice |
Novice |
SC Novice |
| Senior |
Senior |
SC Senior |
| Advanced |
Champion |
SC Champion |
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 you must have your dog officially measured before you compete. If you have entered the wrong height class the show secretary will transfer you into the correct class. You must take your record book with you to the show to have your measure officially recorded.
Q. Why does it cost a bit more to enter UKA shows?
A. Due to the increase in jump heights and the fact that dogs may only enter in one level, the number of trophies and rosettes awarded has increased. With UKA you are also getting an organisation that is solely run for agility. With all results recorded there is a lot more additional work in the running and management of this organisation and thus costs incurred. If you compare entry fee costs in comparison to other dog sports in the UK and to agility entry costs world wide we feel that you are still getting incredible value for money.
Q. What if I want to run a UKA show?
A. If you are interested in running a UKA show please contact us directly enquiries@ukagility.com.
UKA offers a complete show management system that will help you with backing and support from an experienced team. The show management system can help you arrange and run your show in any manner of ways.
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 have to be insured for public liability and this insurance must be on display at the show.
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 insure getting the up contact may sustain 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 gate steward 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 can be used in a competition ring. No audible toys or training devices may be used in the competition ring. This is in consideration of all other competitors. 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 classes, 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 rosettes, but 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 to. The courses will not include spread jumps, long jumps or tyres.
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 or weave poles. The A-frame is lower and the jumps are set at one jump height lower than the dog’s competition height. Clear round rosettes are awarded, but no progression is available.
Dogs must be at least 16 months of age to enter this class.
The Nursery class ring should be enclosed by netting/fencing whenever possible.
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.
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. Results will be recorded by UKA who at present are having a database system written that will allow you to check your dog’s progress on line. This database system will automatically update the online entries system preventing you from entering the wrong level.
Q. What happens when I get a title with my dog?
A. First, when you win a title your dog will have the initials placed after their name. UKA will also present people and their dogs who achieve this level of excellence with a certificate.
Q. What are league tables?
A. Through the amount of points gained by each dog, the league tables will show who is the most successful dog in the country each year. In addition, the tables will be divided by breed type (breed and mixed breeds) and programme levels.
Q. What National finals are there and how do I qualify?
A. UKA will opt to hold a national event where relay, jumping, games, steeplechase, and various other classes will be held as well as the UKA National Agility Final.
Dogs will qualify for the UKA National Agility Final by obtaining a clear round, accumulating no course faults or time faults. Dogs must qualify in 2 separate UKA Agility Final Qualifiers to qualify for Round One of the UKA National Agility Final. Winning one of these heats gains you automatic qualification to Round One of the UKA National Agility Finals.
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. However, if you change height in either direction after competing at one height your dog will have to move back to the Novice level with no points accumulated.
Q. At what point am I out of Beginners for life?
A. The 2 programmes that UKA runs are separate and results from 1 programme have no effect on the other programme.
Once a dog is eligible for a higher level in either programme then that dog is not eligible for Beginners, in that programme, for life.
Any owner who owns a dog not eligible for Beginners in a programme can no longer enter any dog they own in that Beginners level for life and must start any other dog in Novice.
Once a handler graduates any dog from Beginners in a programme or earns 24 points in higher levels (12 being in Agility) in a programme, they can no longer enter the Beginners level in that Programme for life and must start any other dog in Novice.
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.
Q. Are there any plans for a Junior Organisation?
A. We are currently discussing a Junior programme and would welcome any comments and suggestions on this topic.
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.
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