AGILITY

Skyedance on the A-Frame, Photo by Bill Newcomb If you are a fun-loving dog enthusiast or a dog-loving fun enthusiast, it behooves you to try to attend an event. And, if you get bit by the 'bug', the sites in this section will get you going! For a good intro to Agility, visit Diane Eatherton's Dog Agility, hosted by Rose Croft Cairns. The article includes detailed information, as well as, recommended reading and links. Also, visit the RPD Agility FAQ, by J. L. Gauntt.

Reviewed in this section:
Agility @ the Dog Patch
Agility Ability
AgilityNet UK
Barker's Agility World (AU)
BAD Home Page! 		  eMail Lists, Webrings, etc.
Good Dog Agility Website
Natl/Intl Organizations
New Zealand Agility (NALA)
Agility Calendars
DIRECTORY

  Agility
  Conformation
  Flyball & Flygility

Competitive, Fun & Social Index

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  • Grab Bag!!!

    All links verified 12/29/2001


    • AGILITY
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    4 stars
    Verified: Thursday, November 11, 1999          To the Agility Index/Top

    Nikki Agility is a canine sport where handlers direct their off-leash dogs through an obstacle course. Mary Jo Sminkey's Agility Page is the ultimate agility resource on the internet. At this frequently updated site, you will find everything you need to get started observing, or participating in, this activity. Active participants or observers will also enjoy site features, which at my most recent visit, included Mary Jo's reports and results from the 1999 USDAA Nationals.

    While the following provides just a 'glimpse' of the wealth of content available at the site, features include:
  • Agility Articles, including the local FAQs: a compilation of messages posted to two agility email lists which have been collected and organized by Mary Jo;
  • Agility Forums: information about agility related eMail Lists, Chats, and Discussion Boards;
  • the Personal Agility Pages: my favorite area, featuring the Agility Photo Journal and links to personal agility homepages;
  • the Clubs Section: an onsite club listing and links to club and other related organization websites;
  • the International Section: with links to agility reports and websites outside of the US; and
  • the Products and Extras sections include information about equipment suppliers, publications, and links to online agility-related products; agility clip-art and course design software; online agility courses; and other miscellaneous agility information and links.
    • Besides a variety of Event Calendars, there is a events calendar database (now moved to CleanRun) which allows you to selectively list events by type or geographic location and view full descriptions of the events or you can get a complete events listing on one page.


    4 stars
    Verified: Wednesday, July 04, 2001
    To the Agility Index/Top

    Agility Ability is the labor of love of Katie Greer & 'The Motley Crew'. This independent, noncommercial site contains a wealth of information about the sport and covers such topics as: History; Titles/Champs; Getting Started/Jump Into . . . ; Junior Agility; Trials/Events; Training; Equipment; Tips & Techniques; Links by Topic; Stories; Memorials; and more. The site map will give you an idea of the incredible amount of information available at, or through, this wonderful, user-friendly site.


    Tanith3 stars
    Verified: Wednesday, July 04, 2001
    To the Agility Index/Top

    Ellen Rocco and Anton Leach's AgilityNet is an ezine providing general information, features, and articles related to the sport, as well as coverage of Agility Activities both in the UK, and around the world. A show calendar, message boards, a huge club list, marketplace, links, dog-friendly accomodations listing and much more are available at the site.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001
    To the Agility Index/Top

    Barker's Agility World is an Australian Site dedicated to providing information of interest to Australian Agility enthusiasts including upcoming events, competition results and other relevant news and content.


    The following site, which came highly recommended by Mary Jo Sminkey, is quite informative and enjoyable. While primarily targetted to the Bearded Collie/Agility enthusiast, the site is helpful and entertaining to all who are interested in agility as well as dog lovers, in general.

    3 stars
    Verified: Tuesday, July 03, 2001              To the Agility Index/Top

    BAD! The BAD Home Page! (Beardie Agility Diehards), created by Karen Norteman and Libby Myers-Buhite, is home-base for the online group of the same name. BAD was founded by Libby Myers-Buhite, out of a desire to network Beardie people who were active in agility. While geared toward Beardie owners and enthusiasts, the site provides a nice model for other clubs and organizations who may want to develop user friendly and informative websites about the dog sport. The groups has grown to include groups throughout the US, Canada, and Finland.


    Caper Jumping, Photo by Bill Newcomb The photos of the Beardie Agility Diehards, throughout the Agility section of this site, were contributed by BAD. Special thanks go to Libby Myers-Buhite, Bill Newcomb "Photographer to the Dogs", Tien Tran, and logo design artist Gretchen Blackburn. For a larger view of any of the BAD photos, click on the image. Photographs and graphic elements at the DI are not to be downloaded, copied, or in any other way utilized, without prior authorization from the owners.


    3 stars
    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001              To the Agility Index/Top

    Skydancer Jumping, Photo by Libby Myers-Buhite The Good Dog Agility Website is the online 'home' of a group of agility enthusiasts from Phoenix, AZ. The site has developed, quite nicely, into a quality resource for club members, as well as others, interested in agility. It provides another quality model for other clubs and organizations who may want to develop their own websites.

    Besides detailed club specific information and announcements, contents include an Agility Calendar featuring events in Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico, and Colorado; and, Woof Online!, the organization's newsletter is jam packed with content including both current and past issues. The informative Agility Information section contains: What is agility?, Agility Titles, Associations, Inner workings of an agility show, Completing the entry form, First show lessons learned, and Equipment plans; the Dog Pictures page is a gallery of member's dogs; and, the FAQ allows you to view frequently asked questions and their answers, as well as, submit a question of your own.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001              To the Agility Index/Top

    Michael Butler's New Zealand Agility Homepage features information about NALA, the National Agility Link Association, as well as Groups, Events, the NALA email list, and more.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001              To the Agility Index/Top

    The major National/International Parent Organizations are: Tux
  • ADAA: Agility Dog Association of Australia
  • AAC: Agility Association of Canada
  • AKC: American Kennel Club
  • AMBOR: American Mixed Breed Obedience Registration
  • International Agility Link @ The DogPatch
  • KC: The Kennel Club
  • NADAC: North American Dog Agility Council
  • UKC: United Kennel Club
  • USDAA: United States Dog Agility Association
    • For information and links to numerous Agility organizations and clubs, visit Mary Jo Sminkey's Agility Organizations and Clubs page at the DogPatch.


                 To the Agility Index/Top

  • AKC Interactive Events Calendar;
    CKC's Interactive Events Calendar;
  • Clean Run's Agility Events Searchable Database US & Canada;
  • AgilityNet's Calendar UK;
  • What's On @ Barkers Agility World AU;
    New Zealand Agility Calendar @ NALA



    • Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001              To the Agility Index/Top

  • See Mary Jo Sminkey's Agility Forums Page @ the DogPatch;
  • The Agility WebRing Homepage is owned by Mary Jo Sminkey and will provide access to the 50+ member websites. While webmasters can never guarantee the content at externally linked sites, Mary Jo has specified that member sites should have content related to Dog Agility and be appropriate for all ages.


    • My thanks to Mary Jo Sminkey for providing the photos of Nikki and Tux; to Diane Blackman for the photo of Tanith; and, to the BAD group for the photos provided to the the DogInfomat. Authorization has been requested, and received, by the DogInfomat for the usage of all photos and other graphic elements appearing at this site. No portion of this site, or elements, thereof, are to be copied, redistributed, retransmitted, or repurposed without the prior consent of it's owners.


    CONFORMATION
    Reviewed in this section:      Back     To Competitive, Fun & Social Index

    Devlin At a dog show, a dog's "conformation" or overall appearance and structure, are visually judged in accordance with the judge's mental image of the 'perfect' dog as described by the official breed standard. The standards, primarily, describe the physical characteristics of the breed. However, they frequently include a definition of desired temperament; and, to some degree, a description of desired movement and instinct/functional ability. Judges also, briefly, 'go over' the dogs, with their hands, to check for obvious deviations from the standard or disqualifying faults. There are three types of AKC conformation dog shows: specialty (limited to a specific breed or grouping of breeds), group (limited to one AKC group); and, all-breed (open to all recognized breeds).

    Please read "Conformation: An Overview" which is available at this website.

    The Actual Dog Show

    Juniors, 4-H, etc.

    Major Events     		Publications

    Superintendent Websites

    email Lists, Webrings, Chats, etc.



    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001        To Top     To the Conformation Index

    While it specifically covers AKC sanctioned competitions, M. C. Wakeman, DVM, has created the "Actual Dog Show". A very helpful primer with a glossary that people like me will find VERY useful.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Conformation Index

    There are several superintendents licensed by the AKC to provide support services for conformation shows. Their websites provide a variety of information, including dog show information, schedules, on-line show entry, results, news, discussion forums, and more. Superintendent websites include:
    Charm
  • Jack Bradshaw Dog Shows;
  • Roy Jones Dog Shows (Sleeper);
  • InfoDog, the home page of MB-F, Inc.;
  • Newport Dog Shows;
  • Onfrio Dog Shows;
  • Jim Rau's Dog Shows;
  • Kevin Rogers Dogshows; and,
  • Western Dog Shows


    • A complete list is available at the AKC website's Licensed Superintendents page.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Conformation Index

  • The AKC's Junior Showmanship Section features the Junior Showmanship FAQ; How to get started in Junior Showmanship; and, Regulations Judging Guidelines and Guidelines for Juniors.

  • The CKC's Junior Kennel Club exists to promote the participation of young people in all activities involving dogs, including Junior Handling. Visit the site to learn more about the club's JH program.

  • The Kennel Club (UK) Junior Organization " . . . is dedicated to young people between the ages of 8 and 18 and encourages interest in the care and training of dogs and promotes all activities connected with dogs. The KCJO promotes courtesy, sportsmanship, loyalty and self-discipline and helps develop a sense of responsibility in canine activities". The KCJO organizes competitions, including events at Crufts and Discover Dogs in London, visits to shows, trials, dog training centers, local kennels and sanctuaries and many other dog activities. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to learn more about the care and training of dogs from experts such as veterinarians and dog training instructors.
    • Additional sites that will be of interest to juniors include Onfrio's Jr. Showmanship Page and Dog Owner's Guide Jr. Handlers.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Conformation Index

    There are several major dog shows which are held each year. Some, such as Westminster, remain in the same location and are held by the same club each year, whereas, others are hosted by different clubs and countries, year to year. Many of the events are televised and/or receive a good deal of media coverage. The following websites are available for some of the more famous, and largest, events:

  • Westminister Kennel Club website
  • Crufts Website
  • World Dog Show 2003 in Dortmund, Germany, May 29-June 1, 2003
  • World Dog Show 2004 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th, 2004
  • World Dog Show 2005 will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentína and the WDS 2006 will be held in Poland
  • 2004 Euro Dog Show will be held in Madrid, Spain; 2005 EDS will be in Austria; 2006 EDS will be in Finland
    • For more dog show calendars, results and information, visit the FCI Calendar of Expositions; the AKC events section which includes All-Breed, Specialty Events, and National Specialties and the AKC Interactive Events Calendar; the CKC interactive calendar of events; and teh UKC Events Page. Other National Federations, Registries and Clubs are located in the Clubs & Registries section, as are several local and regional kennel clubs. Additional, local and Breed Specific clubs are located in the Groups & Breeds sections.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Conformation Index

    There are many dog show related publications. In the US, there is the Canine Chronicle, The Dog News, Show Dog Magazine, and Show Dogs West (relaunching "soon" (7/4/2001)). In Canada, Canine Review, a Canadian publication with recent show results and articles available online; are sites that will also interest conformation enthusiasts.

    Additional coverage of events and related news is available in a variety of club related publications including the AKC Gazette and supplemental, quarterly, Events Calendar; Dogs In Canada published by Apex Publishing Limited, a CKC subsidiary; the Kennel Gazette (UK); and Showdogs UK.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Conformation Index

  • Cindy Tittle Moore's Conformation related Email Discussion List Info;
  • Junior Handlers @ Yahoo! Groups;
  • Junior Showmanship Webring @ Yahoo!;
  • Show Dog Webring Homepage & List;
    •


    FLYBALL & FLYGILITY
    Reviewed in this section:      Back     To Competitive, Fun & Social Index

    Flyball is a sport in which teams of 4 dogs each perform in relay race fashion to beat the clock. Each dogs carries a tennis ball while jumping hurdles to a spring box which shoots out the ball for the next dog. See the Flyball FAQ for a complete description and more information.
    British Flyball Association

    Flyball Home Page (THE source for info)

    Front & Finish Articles by Judy Hagan

    North American Flyball Association     		International Flyball Links

    Flyball Forums - email Lists, Chats, WRings, etc.

    Wellington Hurricanines Flygility Club



    3 stars
    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001        To Top     To the Flyball Index

    Across the big pond, at the British Flyball Association website, you will find a good deal of information related to the UK and world Flyball scene. Site highlights include a calendar of sanctioned events; event results; and Records & Statistics.


    4 stars
    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Flyball Index

    Megan Kathryn Hogg's Flyball Home Page is the consummate resource for information about, and from, the world of Flyball. This, frequently updated, site covers and/or links to several international associations and activities. Site highlights include News & Recent Events; Tournament Results; Team Profiles and links to Team websites; Team Records; Training Tips; Teams; an extensive photo gallery; a couple of downloadable videos; Equipment Information including Flyball Box designs past and present, and "BELIEVE IT or NOT" MORE! This great, well organized, site is also searchable.

    Special thanks goes to Sandi & Mark Palombo for use of their photo of Megan. Please remember, all photos and other graphic elements at the DI remain the property of their owners and usage is prohibited (and, rude), without prior authorization.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Flyball Index

    Judy Hagan, Captain of the Iowa Hawkeye Hustlers, has made several of her Flyball articles available online at the team's website. Originally, published in Front and Finish, the articles feature news and information from the world of Flyball.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Flyball Index

    Formed in the early '80s, the North American Flyball Association is the governing body for Flyball in North America. NAFA publishes a bimonthly newsletter which they make available online. Their site also provides more information about the organization and it's origins; a calendar; several online brochures; and more.


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Flyball Index

    Flyball is not just gaining popularity in North America. Check out these International sites:
  • Flyball page in Sweden with photos
  • German Flyball page with photo
  • Flyball Australian Flyball Association
    •


    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Flyball Index

    Flyball email lists, chats, webrings, etc.:
  • Flyball eMail Discussion List
  • Flyball Chat @ Flyball.Com
  • Flyball Webring - List Sites



    • According to the Wellington Hurricanines Website, "Flygility is a dog sport that mixes elements of agility and fly ball. As in flyball the dog is sent to fetch a ball from a flyball machine and returns the ball to the handler. Courses are longer, 30m from start line to the box, and use agility obstacles".

    Verified: Wednesday, July 4, 2001            To Top     To the Flyball/Flygility Index

    Last Visit: Wednesday, July 4, 2001

    The Wellington Hurricanines Flygility Club (NZ) website is a great place to be introduced to this new canine sport. The site's 'Rules' section includes information about the levels of competition, equipment, course site & layout, titles & certificates, tournament regulations and more; the 'Events' section includes international event listings; downloadable Flygility Courses; a 'networking' page has been added to assist in locating people interested in participating in Flygility; and, more. The site also hosts the Northbridge Flygility Dog Group, Auckland, AU, website.





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    The original content, concept, and design of the DogInfomat are the property of Sandi Dremel. All content submitted for inclusion remains the sole property of it's owners. As such, none of the contents made available at the site are to be copied, redistributed, retransmitted, or repurposed without the prior consent of it's owners. Last Revision: Saturday, December 29, 2001