What's new....  28/6/03 Finally got a chance to update the page….6:30 on a Saturday morning…I must be sick. Anyway, we've had a few big shows lately, including the Natal Champs at the Royal Show and the May extravaganza. Congradulations to all who won or placed, there was some fierce competition.
 

  Last time....... 22/2/03 Well, someone finally noticed the cobwebs on the page, so here I am again.... The year has opened, and the first few shows of the year have taken place....along with the first few sunburns of the year. Pietermaritzburg in particular was blazing hot..compliments to the judges who managed to stand in the sun all day. There are a good number of shows coming up, so keep up your training. If have now upgraded the "grades" section to reflect the new qualifying rules...sorry guys, it's not so easy anymore.
 
 
 

As the title states, this page is about Dog Jumping and Agility in Kwazulu/Natal, though hopefully I can get some pics from all provinces once this gets going.
 
 

For those of you that haven't heard of the sport, dog jumping is similar to horse jumping. The dogs have to jump over jumps of between 550-850 mm depending on their class. The course only includes obstacles such as tunnels, and a hole-in-the-wall (A tyre either in the middle of a wooden "wall"or suspended by chains). Agility adds a few more twists. This includes obstacles such as a dogwalk, A-frame, and a sea-saw. These have coloured parts on the beginning and end known as "contact points" these have to be touched. (See Rules).Common to both sports are the weaving poles, or "sticks"and the bane of my existence! :) A newcomer is non-contact Agility, which has the heights of Agility, but without the contact equipment. You are also required to move faster than in contact.

Almost any dog may compete is these sports, although in South Africa and most of the world Border Collies are used extensively as they are fast and the quickest learners. German Shepherds are also popular, with quite a few appearances by Golden Retrievers and Rough Collies. Also doing very well are a number of Belgian Shepherd Malinois. The Smaller dogs also make an appearance, and are known as "Mini's". Breeds are much more varied here, and include Jack Russels, Staffies, Poodles, and many more.
 
 

To learn more about a particular aspect, please select a link. Use the "back" button on your browser to come back to the index. (this page)

Rules
Grades
Equipment
Dogs in Action
Training
Upcoming Events
The Committee
Demonstrations

This site is designed and maintained by Nicholas Stock. Please note I have no affiliation to any of the companies, clubs, or associations mentioned on this page, except the KZN Dog Athletic Association.
For any comments, suggestions, spelling corrections, please mail me at NStock@yebo.co.za