Dog Agility first appeared in Great Britain in the later part of the 1970's as a demonstration of the dog's natural abilities through an obstacles course, guided by its handler. Spreading rapidly throughout Europe and arriving in the United States in 1985, the Agility Dog Association of Canada was founded by 1988. Dog Agility is the most exciting spectator sporting event for canines to occur in years. While the most agile dogs arouse excitement in competition, nearly all dogs be they pure-bred or mixed-breed family pets enjoy participating in this exhilarating new sport. You'll never see so many enthusiastic tails in any canine activity.

Agility challenges and rewards the working relationship between dog and human. Because the obstacles and course layout are constantly changing, Agility is a great alternative for participants who are easily bored. Combining obstacles from Military K-9 Corps, Agility has elements similar to equestrian jumping events. Dogs are timed as they maneuver through numerous obstacles such as an A-frame, see-saw, hurdles, tunnels, and more. All obstacles are constructed with safety in mind for dogs of all sizes. Specific jump heights and obstacles are based upon the height of the dog at the shoulder and divided into three groups for competition.

Virtually any breed of dog or mixed breed can enjoy agility. You can teach older dogs new tricks. The only requirement is a moderate level of fitness. Be prepared to do some running between obstacles yourself, but the more proficient your dog becomes the less running you'll have to do. Some basic obedience helps with the initial training, but it's not essential. We've seen Dachshunds to Irish Wolfhounds try this event with success. In this sport everyone wins because no canine sport benefits the relationship between dog and human so equally.

Hilltop K-9 Agility was formed in 1990 by four founding members:

  1. Bev Hurst,
  2. Pierre Lalonde,
  3. Wenda Bradley, and
  4. Norman Piche.

There was also a steering committee of three :

  1. Cathy McGill,
  2. Rob Dow, and
  3. Jeff Anderson.

The purpose was to get into an activity that could be enjoyed by the members with their canine companions. Training started in Martintown Ontario then moved to St-Bernadine Ontario, back to Martintown and now in Summerstown Ontario. After six months of training we participated in Canada's first National Agility Competition hosted by the Agility Dog Association of Canada and held at the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Training center in Manotick Ontario.

The first Canadian National Champion was from Hilltop and was "CH. OTCH. ALPHENLOCH RIO LAINE PHOENIX" a Shetland Sheepdog owned by Pierre Lalonde.



Hilltop now does on average three to four demos per year at various shows and fairs. Hilltop also supplied the half time entertainment twice for the Ottawa Kennel Club's hosting of the "Show of Shows", the Grammy's or Oscar's of the Confirmation Dog Show world.

Hilltop now boasts a total membership of approximately 18 dogs and continues to compete, do demos and produce more agility titling dogs. Agility is fun, exciting and rewarding. Hilltop K-9 Agility encourages all dog owners to bring their couch potato pooch out just once and they'll never look back (neither will you).

e-mail Pierre if you would like to find out more about CANINE AGILITY!!

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Last Updated on November 6, 1997