What are Regular, Specials, Veterans?: Aren’t we all special?

These are AAC categories for dogs. Agility is intended to be a sport that all healthy dogs can compete in and these categories are intended to accommodate different canine needs.

Regulars is the category intended for most dogs to run in. In Regulars:

•  the dog runs at the normal jump height for his measurement
• performs all the obstacles
• can optionally jump up one jump height at a trial
• the final jump height circled by the measuring judge on the AAC ID card is the Regular jump height

Specials is a class intended for dogs that cannot deal with some aspect of Regular. In Specials:

• the dog runs one jump height lower than the Regular jump height
• the A-frame moves down from 5’6" to 5’
• double and spread jumps are replaced with single jumps
• the standard course time is the same as in Regular
• once in Specials the dog cannot move back to Regular

A Handler may elect to run a dog in Specials: because of conformation issues that make jumping the Regular height physically detrimental to the dog; because the Regular jump height is imposing to the dog; or for any other reason that the Handler elects. There is no need for a Handler to justify her decision to run her dog in Specials.

Veterans is for older dogs that want to keep playing, or even start playing at this age [we all do!]. In Veterans, the dog must be 7 years or older, or have been in Specials 1 year being 5 years or older. In this class:

• the dog runs one or two jump heights lower than the regular jump height
• the A-frame is at 5"
• double and spread jumps are replaced with single jumps (same as specials)
• the standard course time is 20 percent longer
• in Gamblers and Snooker the times are the same but fewer points are needed to Qualify
• once in Veterans the dog cannot move back to Regular or Specials