Dog Agility Patches

Put ‘Em On Your Jacket: 

Dog agility handlers like to collect dog agility patches.  Dog agility competition is way different than, say, show obedience competition.  It’s fast, athletic and exciting…sort of like car racing.  Just like a great car driver has sponsor patches all over his jacket, a great dog agility handler has dog agility patches all over his jacket.  

In addition to dog agility patches on his jacket, he might be wearing a funky dog agility t-shirt.  Maybe one that says, “In dog years, I’m dead,” or, “Warning!  Handler in training.”  And then there are the muddy blue jeans and shoes, because dog agility can be a muddy sport.

That’s the cool thing about it, and that’s why they like to collect dog agility patches.  This isn’t a formal dog show.  It’s a wild and rowdy sport that teams a fast, athletic dog with a fast, athletic handler to compete for those dog agility patches.  And when they win one, they celebrate because they’ve worked hard for it.

Dog agility handlers and their dogs compete at several levels to get dog agility patches.  They can earn patches in local community competitions.  They can travel to different communities to compete for those dog agility patches. They can also compete in several national venues to win patches.

The North American Dog Agility Council stages agility competitions and awards dog agility patches to champions. 

The United States Dog Agility Association has several competitions, including the Grand Prix, the Steeplechase and the Master’s competitions.  A dog can earn certifications through the USDAA.  Dog agility patches are awarded for Agility Dog, Advanced Agility Dog and Master Agility Dog certifications. 

Even the American Kennel Club has gotten into the game, offering training, competition and dog agility patches to the winners.

Agility dog people are fun loving people, and they love what they do.  They also love collecting those dog agility patches and wearing them on their jackets.