Entering AKC

The online version of the American Kennel Club Regulations for Agility Trials is available as a free download. A hard copy can also be obtained by sending your postal address to orderdesk@akc.org or you can write to them at the address listed on the organizations page. Many questions can be answered prior to entering your first trial by reading this booklet.

AKC has 2 agility program tracks: the Standard track and the Preferred track. In the Preferred track dogs jump the next jump height lower than the Standard track jump heights. Any dog 12 months or older, of a recognized AKC breed, may enter either track. While one may not enter both at the same trial, or set of trials, they can be interchanged such as running in Preferred one weekend, and Standard the following outing.

In the Standard track Novice is divided into A and B divisions for the purposes of awarding ribbons only. This is so people who have never earned an agility title are not competing against those who have returned with a new dog. In the Preferred class the Novice class is not divided. This is a completely different concept from the Excellent A and Excellent B classes which are not only scored differently, different titles are earned from each.

Jump height card page will explain the AKC jump height policy. A dog does not need a card to enter, but will need to be measured by the judge of record the day of the trial. In this instance a dog entered in 24" need not be measured by the judge of record.

However, all dogs are required to obtain a jump height card whenever an AKC Field Representative, or Volunteer Measuring Official are present at the show site. Once a permanent card is obtained dogs no longer need be measured at the show. Depending upon the directions specified in the Premium a copy of the card may be attached to the entry, or the card is shown at check-in.

You will find an agility entry form inside the Premium List which can be obtained from the Trial Secretary. Your Agility instructor should be able to assist you in contacting the various secretaries in your area. These secretaries are also listed on the AKC Agility Event Calendar.

This is an AKC Agility entry sample completed for Jill Agility who has never entered an Agility trial before. For the purpose of the sample those items entered in red would be what Jill Agility circled. Note that she has chosen to enter the Standard Classes and has left the Preferred Class line blank. The International Sweepstake Class entry is open only to those dogs in the highest class, Excellent. Also note that the club that created this entry form did not include the breeder information which is on the AKC generic form. The Regulations for Agility Trials allows for this difference.

The sample for Jill Agility showed a registration number for a dog of a recognized AKC breed. For dogs that do not have registration numbers but receive an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) the breed line should be filled out with what Breed the ILP was given for, then check the ILP box, and give the ILP number which is much shorter than the registration number.

This sample form is a generic blank that doesn't include the cost of each class entered, the name of the club, opening and closing dates, the trial secretaries information, etc. This information can be obtained from the AKC Agility Event Calendar.

The entry form that is included in a clubs premium list will include all of the necessary information. Typically clubs charge a first class plus second class entered fee for a total per day, and/or total for the weekend. Read the entry form and premium list carefully, the club included information that exhibitors will typically ask.

At AKC Agility Official Form you can print out a generic agility entry form from the AKC web site. Here you will also find the waiver page to be included with the entry form, usually referred to as the back of the entry.

IMPORTANT: The entry form also has a reverse side (not included in the sample) which is required to be signed in order for the entry to be considered valid. It is included in the AKC Agility Official Form

Also note the areas in red in the certification paragraph on the front page of the entry in the sample given. These are important points to be familiar with and regular entry forms won't be highlighted in red such as the sample form is.

Trial Secretaries are not responsible for errors entered on the entry form by the handler, incorrect fees, or illegible writing, or the lack of signature on the waiver form (the back page). Any of these errors can cause the entry to be considered invalid and it may be returned to the owner without any other notification. Proofread your entry!