Agility

Agility-Dog is the only canine discipline recognized by ENCI (Ente Nazionale Cinofilia Italiana) that admits mixed-breed dogs to official contests. There is even a championship reserved only for mixed-breed dogs. Even though at professional levels the choices are heading toward specific breeds considered the “winning ones”, the mixed-breeds are the ones that really inspire human participation.
Considering mixed-breed as more than poor little mutts who need needing cuddling to make them forget the ugliness of their previous life experience provides a whole new perspective. The adaptability of this sport to dogs of all types and breeds follows a single main principle: the desire to get to know each other better by doing something together, or better yet, by working together.

Agility-dog consists of overcoming a sequence of obstacles without penalties (much like a horse competition) in the shortest time possible (there are world-wide FCI rules). Each sequence is unique, and there is no requirement to use any given obstacle. The handler, before each sequence, has a few minutes to preview the course and learn it by heart, trying to imagine the best positions for handling his or her own dog.
These practices make people use their creativity during training, in order to continuously change situations and combinations of obstacles in as many ways as possible. In Italy agility-dog is practiced by men and women from 10 to 70, highlighting how this sport is suitable for everybody; obviously good physical fitness and an optimal weight will help both dog and handler.

It is important to be well prepared for this activity because, although each run lasts less than a minute, it is quite exhausting. We should think of this sport as a physical exercise requiring engagement, application and resistance. Therefore, it would be important to follow a healthy and well balanced diet and continuous physical training. It is very important that there be a very good, trusting relationship between the handler and the dog, since the dog will go around without leash, guided only by physical and vocal commands. It is worth emphasizing how this training will prove very useful in everyday city life as well. If you have a dog of whatever size and breed and you want to spend some time in the open air, if you want to get to know each other, if you like to be creative and, above all, if you want to get to know your pet beyond the usual training techniques, Agility is the sport for you.