Agility Points

I can explain NADAC points, since that's what I do.

In NADAC you need to complete a title to move up to the next level.  To title you need 30 points.  Each Q is 10 points, so you need three Q's to title.

In skilled, however, it is possible to get a 5 pt. Q in Regular agility -- so you can knock a bar and get a 1/2 Q.  You still need 30 points to get your title.

If you get a basic title in all six classes within a level, you earn the Versatility title of that level -- ie: Novice Versatility.

Within each level (novice, open & elite) there are levels of titles -- the basic title, the outstanding title and the superior title.  You are not required to earn your outstanding or superior titles before moving on to the next highest level.  They are simply there for those that choose to stay in a lower level.  Earning a superior title in the three core classes (regular, chances & jumpers) earns a Triple Superior award.  Earning a superior in six classes (core + tunnelers, weavers & touch-n-go) earns the Triple Triple Superior.  Add in hoopers and you get the All Around.  These are available at the novice, open & elite levels.

The NATCH is earned when you earn 230 points in elite regular, 130 points in elite chances and 130 points in elite jumpers.  The Versatility NATCH is earned with the addition of 130 points in elite tunnelers, weavers & touch-n-go.  If your dog is in the skilled category you earn the "MEDAL" for the same accumulation of points.

Successive NATCH awards are earned for each further accumulation of 200/100 points.  There are also "Lifetime" points awarded at 1000 pts., 5000 pts. and other such landmarks.

Nobody can say that NADAC is stingy with the awards!  It surely sounds confusing to a newcomer, but you catch on quickly as you start to trial.  I keep track of my points & titles in spreadsheet form, but NADAC also posts them on their web site (they are a bit behind, however).

I have to request awards from NADAC, whereas I believe AKC automatically sends them out as you earn them.

You are free to try for whatever titles you wish.  Some people really want the All-Around title for their dogs.  It's a huge achievement and a massive accumulation of points -- and also a massive amount of money.  For that reason, I've moved Luke up a level as soon as he completes each title.  He's now running elite in everything and inching closer to his first Versatility NATCH.  He was comfortable with the more difficult courses so I decided to bump him up right away.  Some younger dogs are better off staying in the lower levels for a longer amount of time.

All I know is that in CPE Level 1 you only need TWO Qs for a title.  We did four runs on one day and I was contemplating coming back the next day b/c everything else we do you need THREE Qs to title but they informed me we already had two titles.

I *think* for starting out in AKC it's like everything else - three Qs for the title and then you move up (novice, open, excellent) but I don't know beyond that for the MACH stuff.  Don't we have a member with a MACH Sheltie or two?

Thanks guys! :)

What made you decide to participate in the particular venues that you do? 

I was curious about AKC in particular, but any and all information is awesome. I wanna hear all about it. :)  Lies, I think that was Steve, wasn't it?  Haven't seen him for awhile. I hope he and the shelties are well.

He may be at AKC Invitationals this past weekend.

 In AKC you have to get 3 Q's in Novice Jumpers with Weaves and 3 Q's in Novice Standard to move to Open Jumpers and Standard.  You, again, have to get 3 Q's in each to move to Excellent.  From there, it's a bit foggy for me.

You get points for Qs and placements in Excellent that count toward a MACH.  Right now they have what's called multipliers that if you get 1st or 2nd place, you multiple the points by a certain amount (I don't know what that is though).  So in that case, getting 1st or 2nd helps you much more than just Q'ing.

I play in USDAA and CPE because they don't care what the breed of my dog is.  USDAA is similar to AKC in Novice and Open, but there are no points accumulated for the ADCH, just number of Q's per class.

We're just getting to Masters/Excellent so I haven't studied the requirements in detail yet to remember them without going back to look.

CPE, you have to get twice the number of Q's per class/category as the level.  So Level 1 requires 2 Standard Q's, 2 Handler Q's, 2 Strategy Q's, etc.  Level 2 is 4 Standard Q's, 4 Handler Q's, etc.. on up to Level 5 where you need 10 Q's in Standard, Handler, etc.

All of this info is available on the respective organization's pages.

 AKC

CPE

USDAA

NADAC

Sera_J

What made you decide to participate in the particular venues that you do? 

For me there were two main reasons why I started in NADAC.  The number one reason is because the training center where I took classes hosts 10 NADAC trials per year -- nearly one per month, taking off during July & August.  The second reason was because they are mixed-breed friendly.  Luke is a Lab/Shepherd mix and therefore not allowed in AKC (although I could probably ILP/PAL him as a Lab if I really wanted to).

I *STAY* with NADAC for many reasons.  Everything in NADAC is about the safety and happiness of our dogs.  The heights top out at 20".  As a 27" dog, Luke would be jumping 24" to 26" in other venues and I feel that is completely inappropriate for a dog of his size.  Even at a trim 83 lbs, his height/weight ratio is still over 3.0 and jumping higher than 20" would be very bad for him.  The skilled category would allow him to jump 16" and receive "medium dog" time -- I am considering making the switch next year to save his joints a bit.  Once the dog reaches veteran status (seven years) they get another 4" height reduction and added time.

NADAC does not allow slats on the contact equipment and encourages clubs to use rubber matting.  This is a safety feature for the dog's benefit.  Luke has trained on slatted contacts for weeks at a time while our training club prepares for an AKC trial.  Within three weeks he no longer wanted to do the a-frame PERIOD.  Dogs break and sprain toes all the time on slats.  Slats were originally used on obstacles PRIOR to the development of special coatings like rubber and the like.  Now that we have other options, I see no reason for slats and I will not run my dogs on slatted equipment.

NADAC got rid of the teeter a while ago.  I have mixed feelings about this but do understand that it was done for the safety of the dogs.  The teeter is a completely harmless obstacle WHEN TRAINED PROPERLY.  Too many people were teaching their dog to run to the end of the teeter and ride it down as it slammed into the ground, trying to gain extra time.  This is extraordinarily hard on the dog's body, so NADAC just got rid of it.  They got rid of the tire as well due to a good number of accidents that occured when a dog got hung up in the unforgiving equipment.  They do allow the displaceable tire now (that breaks apart if hit), but I have yet to see one or even hear of one being used.  In the same vein, NADAC also does not use the chute due to the risk of the dog becoming tangled in the chute fabric.

And finally, I love the FAST and flowing courses that are the core of the NADAC principle.  I feel that AKC courses are too "herky-jerky" with the way they constantly are turning and flipping the dog, never allowing them to really push out their stride.  Watching a dog navigate an elite course in full out stride is a beautiful thing to watch.  As a handler you have to be very skilled & precise to guide your dog at those speeds.  It is amazingly fun to do.

Many of my agility friends perform in more than venue.  If I had the time and money I would look into it, but for now I am very happy to stay with NADAC. 

Sera_J

Can anyone explain how you gain your 750 points to get a MACH?  (i got how you get the rest of the titles, ... just not your MACH.)  Is it per dog you beat... so many potential points per show? Do you have to win so many times over X amount of dogs....?

Thanks!

You can begin to earn points toward a MACH only after you have completed your Excellent title. So once you've earned your AX from the Excellent A class you can begin to earn points in Excellent B, and once you've earned your AXJ title from the Excellent Jumpers A class you can begin to earn points in Excellent Jumpers B. You earn one point for each second you run under the standard course time. If you place first, you get to mulitply that number by two, and if you place second you multiply the number by 1.5. In order to earn your MACH you have to accumulate a total of 750 pts, and to have earned 20 double Q's. Double Q's are qualifying in Excellent B and Excellent Jumpers B both on the same day.