SHIH TZU FANCIERS OF SOUTHERN CA

CLASSES: There are three Classes and five titles that can be earned in Standard Agility competition--Novice Agility (NA), Open Agility (OA) and Agility Excellent (AX). 

Novice Agility (NA). This Class is divided into two divisions. Division A is for persons and dogs that have never acquired an agility title. Division B is for dogs that have acquired an agility title and are earning points towards for an Open Agility title. Division B is for persons that have handled a dog to an agility title and for agility judges as well.

Open Agility (OA). This Class is open to dogs that have acquired a Novice Agility title and are competing for an Open Agility title or dogs that hold Open Agility titles and are competing for Agility Excellent.

Agility Excellent (AX). This Class is divided into Division A for dogs that have obtained the Open Agility title and are competing for Agility Excellent (MX). Division B is limited to dogs that have obtained Agility Excellent and are competing for the titles of Master Agility Excellent (MX) and Master Agility Champion. The process that leads to obtaining a Master Agility Champion (MACH) title is explained below, under the "Scoring" category.

TITLES: Titles the competing dogs can obtain are: Novice Agility, Open Agility, Agility Excellent, Master Agility Excellent, and Master Agility Champion. As the dogs obtain the Class the initials of the Class are added to their registered name. Each title's initials is replaced when the dog earns a higher title. For example, the dog carries an NA after its name. When the dog obtains the Open Agility title, the NA is dropped and OA is added and so on.

REQUIREMENTS: Novice Agility course requires a total of 12-13 obstacles and 3 or 4 challenges. Mandatory obstacles include a dog walk, A-frame, seesaw, pause table, one open and one closed tunnel, tire/circle or window jump, broad jump, panel jump, double bar jump and 2-3 additional jumps or open tunnels. No prohibited obstacles include weave poles, triple bar and one bar jumps. Challenges may be side-switches without options or call-offs, or minor call-offs or options. 

Agility Open course requires a total of 15-17 obstacles and of 5-7 challenges. Mandatory obstacles include a dog walk, A-frame, seesaw, pause table, one open and one closed tunnel, 6-12 weave poles, tire/circle or window jump, broad jump, panel jump and double bar jump. 4-6 additional obstacles that may include jumps and open tunnels. No prohibited obstacles: one bar jump. Challenges must include at least one side switch with a major call-off or a major call-off or a major trap. Additional challenges could include side switches with minor call-offs or options, weave-on-right advantage, lead-out advantage at start and/or pause table, minor to major call-offs or options, minor to major traps, handler restrictions.

Agility Excellent course requires a total of 18-20 obstacles and 8-10 challenges. Mandatory obstacles include a dog walk, A-frame, seesaw, pause table, one open and one closed tunnel, 6-12 weave poles, tire/circle or window jump, panel jump, double bar jump, triple bar jump, one bar jump, and 5-7 additional obstacles that may include jumps and open tunnels. Challenges must include at least two major call-off or major traps or a combination of one call-off and one major trap, at least two side switches with minor to major call-offs or options; at least one lead-out advantage at the start and/or pause table, at least two additional challenges that would include a weave-on right advantage, or a difficult angle approach to obstacles, or handler restrictions.