Agility: a sport with obstacles

Doing sports with your dog? Do it! Being active together in a sport that suits both of you is healthy and fun. There are many different sports in the world of dogs, agility will be familiar to everyone. But do you also know hoopers, canicross, dog frisbee and flyball? There is plenty to do and something for everyone! In this interview with Debby Hinlopen we tell you all about agility.

Debby Hinlopen has fifteen years of experience with agility. Her first competition dog is almost fifteen years old. She started competing with him thirteen years ago.

What exactly is agility?

It's a sport in which your dog has to complete an obstacle course as quickly as possible under your supervision. The obstacles you may encounter are height jumps, a width jump, tunnel and slalom.

How did you get started with this sport?

I came into contact with agility through the dog school where I always trained. I already took a puppy course and an obedience course. I also practiced dogdance and flyball for a while, but I finally chose agility.

Find a nice and good dog school. Go and see, then you will see if you and your dog like it.

Why agility?

I think it is the best sport to do with your dog. I have done dogdance for a long time, but when you have two competitive sports, it is quite hard. At one point I started agility with one of my dogs at international level and then I decided to stop with dogdance.

What dogs do you work with?

I have four Shelties. I was living in a flat and chose a small dog that you could easily work with. At the time I picked a Sheltie and that was a very successful breed for me. After that I did not want another breed. In agility the Border Collie is the most popular dog and the Sheltie the most popular small dog.

Do you have an example in the sport?

Yes, several. Silvia Trkman from the Czech Republic is one of them. When she started at the world championships, everyone went silent. Lisa Frick won the world championships in the large category recently. When I see her dog go, I think: wow, that's something I dream about someday.  I am already very happy that I can participate in the world championships, because it is so unique. Not everyone can do that.

Would you like to reach the top?

I don't really know. Maybe one day with another dog, but the dogs I have now will not reach that real top.

Do you have tips for people who want to start with agility?

Find a nice and good dog school. Go and try it out, you will see if you and your dog like it.