Some of the fastest dogs were invited to jump, weave, and balance against the clock at the 2022 AKC Agility Dog Premier Cup at the beginning of July. Now, spectators have a chance to witness all the of the action. Because of all the action, Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country—plus, it’s a lot of fun to watch, even on TV.
This invitational event was held on July 9, 2022, in Columbus, OH, at Historic Crew Stadium, the first stadium built for Major League Soccer in the United States. Out of the 100 invited dogs, 50 advanced to the finals after two preliminary rounds, with the top 10 winners named in each height class for 8-inch, 12-inch, 16-inch, 20-inch, and 24-inch.
“Agility is such a thrilling event, and these dogs did not disappoint,” said AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo. “Viewers at home will be able to feel the excitement!”
How to Watch the AKC Agility Dog Premier Cup
You can watch the AKC Agility Premier Cup on Saturday, July 23 at 12 p.m. ET by tuning in to ESPN2 on your TV or signing in on any device. The broadcast will be hosted by sportscaster Carolyn Manno, including sideline reporter Bill Ellis and expert analysis by Terry Simons.
How Does Agility Work?
Agility requires athleticism, concentration, training, and, most of all, teamwork for the dog-human team. The handler directs the dog through a predetermined pattern of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, while racing against the clock. They must complete the course as perfectly as possible within a specific amount of time—meaning no skips or misses on obstacles.
Agility is a timed and a fault sport, meaning teams gain or lose points based on several criteria. Each team starts out with 100 points. Points are deducted for every penalty: for example taking an obstacle out of sequence, displacing a panel on a jump, or leaving the pause table too soon. Teams also lose points if they exceed the time set for running the course. But you don’t have to memorize all of the rules to enjoy watching the fast-paced sport.