A historical reflection...
 Dianne
P. Ford has seen Canadian agility move from one height structure to another and she has
competed under both the old and new regimes. In the light of the recent debate here on the
introduction of a 4th height into Kennel Club agility, Kay Jennings asked Dianne what it's like
to compete in Canada. She kindly agreed to explain how agility works in another FCI country and
how the variations in jump heights fit in with the ability to compete internationally.
It’s not all Mounties and maple syrup...
Kay Jennings (KJ) :Tell us a little bit
about yourself and your dogs
Dianne Ford (DF)
I live in Canada and I've been training and competing in agility since 1994,
primarily with Agility Association of Canada (AAC). I've had three agility partners - all of
whom have taught me a bit about jump heights.
My first dog was Brooke, a
crossbreed Alsatian/Doberman/Lab mix who measured at 24in / 61cm at the withers and had
phenomenal conformation for jumping. We competed together from 1994 - 2003, and she earned five
agility titles before retiring at the Masters level. Baxter was my second partner. He was a
large-boned Welsh Springer Spaniel (WWS). He measured 20in / 51cm at the withers and had less
than ideal conformation - large boned and a bit too long in back - but he was exceptionally
fit. Kelsey, my current partner, is also a WSS, measures 18.5in / 47cm and has a phenomenal
conformation for jumping. Some call her my 'flying squirrel' as she really soars.
KJ:
What's the situation with jump heights in Canadian agility?
 DF:
The AAC has
four height categories. Back in the 90s they added some new classifications, specifically
regulars, specials and veterans to allow for more inclusivity and extend agility careers
safely. Specials and vets jump a lower height, for example, and veterans get more time.
The
current AAC
heights are:-
-
Open Regular: 22in & 26 /
56cm & 66cm
-
Open Vet / Specials: 16in
&22in / 41cm & 56cm
-
Mini Regular: 10in & 16in
/ 25.5cm & 41cm
-
Mini Vet /Specials: 6in &
10in / 25cm & 25.5cm
KJ:
What was your own experience?
DF:
Back in the 1990s, our Large height was 30in / 76cm, which meant Brooke was jumping 6in / 15cm
above her withers. She could do it, but I had to do a lot of work to strength her rear and
ensuring she was fit and generally healthy. When AAC lowered the heights to 26in / 66cm, I
immediately noticed a difference on the course with her. Our speed picked up, and she exhibited
more joy on course. Again, as she aged, I moved her to Specials - we didn’t need extra time -
and the sparkle came back. We were able to get her final title before she retired.
 Baxter
was never built to jump full height. His measurement put him into 22in / 56cm which he could
manage, but I could see it was taking a toll on him - emotionally and physically - so before we
started competing I made the decision to keep him in 16in / 41cm Specials. He had a phenomenal
agility career, and he was doing it right up to the day before he died. The joy on his face was
paramount to me, not proving he could jump his regular height.
Kelsey's measurement puts
her into our 22in height category which is 3.5in / 9cm above her withers. Technically, she
could leap over 26in but that would be 7.5in / 19cm above her withers. After watching what
happened with Brooke after moving from jumps that were 6in above her withers to 2in above, I
won't even consider putting an even a greater differential onto Kelsey. In my opinion, it wears
out their body that much faster, and moves it from a fast, competitive, fun sport to do with my
dog to a purely competitive one. The 26in large height is also deterring me from training and
seeking World’s l(FCI) evel with Kelsey which was commented to me as something I should
consider from two of Canada’s World’s level competitors (WAO and IFCS with the Midi height
still being an interesting option.)
 I
have never heard any discontent about the four heights – and I have competed across nearly all
of Canada from Alberta to Newfoundland. The 22in height bracket tends to have the Border
Collies, Spaniels, mixed breeds while the 26in bracket tends to have the large BC, Shepherds,
Standard Poodles, Labs, Goldies, Dobermans and large mixed breeds.
One
difference I've noticed between Canada and the UK is the huge variety of dogs in agility. It
might have to do with the four heights, or it could have to do with the basis of moving up /
titles. Regardless, I know if I lived in the UK, I am sure that Brooke would have done just
fine, but Baxter would not have been able to have had a competitive agility career and earn all
the titles he did. And I'd have some serious thinking about whether or not I'd have competed
with Kelsey at all. If we did, hers would certainly have been a shorter competitive agility
career, say four or five years as opposed to the 9-11 years that I've had with my past
teammates.
KJ: Can you tell us how this translates to the international
stage? If a person with a phenomenal dog wishes to compete at FCI worlds, but their 18in dog
normally jumps at 22in nationally, can they qualify? Because that size dog would be large at
FCI....
DF: For Canadian teams who go
international, members of the 22in group basically make the decision whether that's a route
they want to go. If the dog's overall health and physical strength can support it, then they
would do specific training prior to the international event to up the jump height - something
that with basic jumping foundation isn't that hard to do. Any Canadian international-level
competitors with 22in dogs would do / have done the 26in heights at international competitions.
It is a very conscious decision, based on fitness and seen as a short-term blip in the dog's
agility career rather than the permanent, multi-trial, multi-year height.
JK: Interesting...
so competing nationally at 22in doesn't preclude you from trying out at 26in?
 DF:
In AAC the jump height, as determined by your dog's measurement, is the 'minimum' height it may
enter. The handler may choose to run the dog in a higher jump height i.e. I could have chosen
to enter Kelsey in a trial at 26in height. I have yet to see someone choose to run their 22in
dog at 26in, and that's after nearly two decades of competing. However, it would allow those
preparing for an international competition to enter an AAC competition at the international
height. I can't honestly say I know of anyone doing that though - it's usually an out-of-trial
training issue, not a competitive issue.
Whenever
there are major changes like this, it does lead to heated debates. It was no different in the
AAC when the new, lower jump heights and weaving spacing were instigated or the Specials /
Veterans categories introduced. But after implementation, I can't say I've ever heard any
further complaints as the benefits for the dogs are so apparent that it overrides any other
issues including investment issues for equipment etc. Now people and their dogs can play longer
and more people can play, which ultimately brings in more finances to clubs/businesses. Plus,
everyone is happier when their dogs are fit, happy and healthy. That's a little simplistic, but
that is what I have witnessed over the years.
JK: Thank you for your input: It’s immensely useful to find the
view of someone who has been here ahead of us and has seen both sides of the argument.
DF: Thank you. I hope it contributes
usefully to the debate.
 About
the author...
Dianne Ford
has been training, instructing and competing in agility in Canada since 1994. She is the
Chair of the Agility Training Committee of
Newfoundland Athletic Dog Association, Inc.,
and a university professor in management. She has trained with many of the top handlers and
instructors Internationally and within Canada, either in formal classes, workshops, private
lessons, auditing, or training. These include: Greg Derrett (UK), Laura Derrett (UK), Dave
Munnings (UK), Lauren Langman (UK), Mathew Rouse (UK), Susan Garrett (Ontario), Lynda
Orton-Hill (Ontario), Adrian Rooyakkers (Ontario), Kimberley Anderson (Saskatchewan), and
Cheryl Bartlett (Saskatchewan). She is also an instructor in her own right.
Dianne’s background
includes a Psychology degree and several years as a competitor in equestrian competition.
Feedback
From Pam
Ellwood...
Interesting as it is to read of how agility
is run in other countries it is important to understand the differences between the
situations there and here in the UK.
Firstly, can we dispel
the myth that there is compelling scientific evidence that it is better for the health of a
shorter Large dog to jump a lower height? It simply hasn't been proved one way or the other
as yet, And certainly the FCI that influences far more of the world's agility than the
combined North American organisations with their multiple and various jump heights has found
no reason to change from the three heights we have her in the UK now. It should be borne in
mind that the FCI's remit is to promote the pedigree dog in all its shapes and sizes so it
has a vested interest in showcasing as many breeds as possible.
If a dog is repeatedly
suffering injuries, the handler needs to look at far more than what jump height the dog has
to do. Does it have an underlying conformational problem? How old was it when introduced to
jump work, high impact and speed? Has it been pushed too hard because the handler has a
reputation to maintain? How often has it been trained? What surface has it worked on?
European agility rewards
winning, not just qualifying scores that can be gained at a moderate pace. The pressure is
for a dog to go faster than the rest and, with increased speed, the physical risks increase.
Currently many of the most successful and very fast dogs are somewhat vertically challenged
and, to make them even faster by lowering their jump height, could well increase the danger
of injury to them.
Size of shows
Most North American shows are very small compared with even a small UK Kennel Club
show. Multiple rings each with up to 450 dogs to get through in a day is the norm for one
of our shows. (Our own show which isn't one of the biggest has 10 rings on each of the main
days.) What works on a small scale is not necessarily transferable to the scale we have to
deal with. I believe UKA here with it's small shows and 4 heights can have very late
finishes.
Cost
North American agility is for the relatively well-heeled for various reasons. In the
UK, it is a sport for everyone regardless of income. We can maintain that approach because
of economy of scale. A 4th height would mean longer to get through a day if the same
classes were scheduled for all. With many shows already running at capacity every second
minute lost during the day matters and the consequence would be likely that the number of
runs on offer would be cut. Cut the number of runs and income falls - result an increase in
entry fees for everyone to compensate. Overheads would be the same and the clubs running
the shows won't want to see the income they make from them fall as most use it to subsidise
their training, again to make it affordable to the less well off.
Graded classes
In some areas, certain of our seven grades (Large dogs) are low in numbers and
splitting them into two heights would make it less viable or advisable to offer those
grades graded classes with the result that more Combined Grade classes would be scheduled
against the spirit of our current system. A numerically small class makes it easier for a
dog that perhaps isn't ready to move up a grade to do so. Having only a handful of dogs in
a class isn't important where a dog is only running for a qualifying score.
I don't have an opinion as to whether
I think multiple heights are right in the context they are used in North America because I am
not familiar enough with them. Watching You Tube doesn't really count. I'd invite those
handlers from over The Pond who are of the opinion that we should do the same as they do to
come here and visit our shows with an open mind and see what our dogs are capable of and what
issues face the majority of competitors and show organisers.
' (05/12/12)
From Elaine
Brennan on Facebook...
Having a read on the Agilitynet website, I
thought this was interesting, it gives us some idea of a before and after picture from a
country which has added a 4th height. I like the idea of a minimum height category rather
than a 'this is your height you've got to jump it.' (26/11/12)
From Susan
Garrett
I can't imagine an agility association not
having a 22on height class. Being raised in the sport where we have always had at least four
jump heights it is inconceivable to me not to have all four. What is the point really? Why
make a dog that measures 18in tall jump a 26in jump?
I am thrilled that with Feature I
have the option of jumping her at 22in when she gets older because she does measure into the
22in class but in preparation for FCI I choose to jump her at 26in but, at least it is my
option. No one is forcing me to do it. Encore will never jump 26in again but happily she can
still play. Having a 4th jump height just makes agility more inclusive, allowing healthy
sound dogs of all abilities and ages to play.
From Andrea
Guindon (Canada) ...
I was asked to comment regarding my dogs
competing in Canada. We have four heights here and we are allowed to jump higher than the
measured height. With my Border Bollie, I did jump her in Large for the first several years
of her career as I was advised this would make her use a better jump style. To be honest with
her I found the opposite. When I moved her to Standard which is what she measured for she
turned much better and seemed to have a softer landing. She was using her body better verses
launching herself over the jumps. However, this is just my experience with one dog and I
don't really know if the few years at Large contributed to her being better at Standard
height. It's probably dependent on so many factors.
The Large dogs on our FCI world team
this past year all measure for Standard height. Some compete at Standard height and some
compete at Large in Canada, depending upon the person, event etc. I would also like to say
that I have friends who have Tollers, Standard Schnauzer and various mixes that would not
trial their dogs if they had to jump in Large.
I'm not sure how you will define the
Standard class, if accepted, but the 22in jump height in Canada and the US does seem to have
the largest number of entries at almost every show and I can't imagine not having it.
(24/11/12)
First published 22 November 2012
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