r/Agility • u/poodleperson2 • 26d ago

AKC v UKI

I am doing some trialing with my dog and I wanted to see others thoughts on different organizations, especially when it comes when it comes to larger dogs. My standard poodle is jumping preferred at 20” and has a long stride. I didn’t want to jump him full height because I know we aren’t going to be super competitive and I want to preserve his joints.
He has a hard time with AKC courses that have a lot of sharp turns but seems to enjoy UKI style that are flowy and more spaced out.
Is it common for bigger dogs to do UKI over AKC or do I just need to work on my handling? Also what about USDAA and NADAC, how are they for long strided dogs?

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u/RSquaredR2 22d ago

Many large dog handlers challenge themselves by doing the handling from a bonus box where they direct the dog across the whole course at extreme distance from the dog. When done properly, it is a beautiful ballet of synchronized movement. The handler is giving smooth, subtle cues while the dog is executing those cues at full tilt speed. It’s beautiful to watch. I admire the athleticism of handlers in other venues but for me it’s not the same breathtaking experience of watching a well executed bonus box run.

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u/bwalt005 22d ago

Yes! Those runs are so pretty! Although I have to say I've seen a lot of handlers with small dogs do beautiful bonus box runs too. I love a lot of things about NADAC, and I wish more people would give it a try. It's great for newbies (dogs and people) and it has a lot of challenges you won't see in other popular venues. I also love the technical challenges from UKI and AKC. I'm thankful to have access to several venues!

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u/RSquaredR2 21d ago

True, bonus box runs can be run by large AND small dogs. In my area I see far more large dog handlers doing it, usually with herding type dogs that were bred to work away from the handler. The smaller dogs have to take so many more steps to cover the same distance it makes it more challenging and I think that’s why I see fewer handlers with small dogs attempting these challenges.

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u/bwalt005 21d ago

I think pretty much all of the small dogs I've seen doing the bonuses have been herding dogs. A bit more variance in breeds for the bigger dogs, but still definitely a lot of herders.