Dog agility, a fast-paced and popular canine sport, originated in the United Kingdom as a demonstration event at the 1978 Crufts Dog Show, created by John Varley and Peter Meanwell to entertain audiences between traditional dog show segments. Inspired by equestrian show jumping, the initial course featured obstacles like tunnels, jumps, and a “dog walk,” evolving quickly into an official sport recognized by The Kennel Club in 1980. The sport’s connection to equestrian events continued, with many competitions held in horse arenas, highlighting agility’s roots in both dog training and horse jumping disciplines.
In the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC) embraced agility in the 1990s, holding its first licensed trial in 1994 and establishing national and international competitions soon after. The sport has grown to include dogs of all sizes and mixed breeds, thanks to programs like the AKC Canine Partners. Agility has also evolved with a focus on canine safety, such as the 2016 suspension of the collapsed tunnel, and expanded accessibility through entry-level and virtual events. Today, agility is one of the most recognized dog sports, with over a million annual AKC entries.
