What Is UKI?
UKI (United Kingdom Agility International) launched in the U.S. in 2010 and has quickly grown into one of the most popular agility organizations in the United States. Above all, UKI prioritizes fun and safety for both dog and handler. If you’re looking to step into the world of competition or have been competing for years, I strongly recommend trying UKI.
You can find the full UKI rulebook here.
If you are new to dog agility and don’t know some of the terminology, be sure to check out my trial glossary!
Why Try UKI?
UKI has a few key attributes that set it apart from other agility organizations.
- Not for Competition (NFC) option lets you use your ring time for training with any noise-free or non-rolling toy.
- Lower cost than AKC. Although run costs vary by trial site, UKI runs are typically $5 – $10 cheaper than AKC. Over the course of a weekend, this difference can add up.
- Smoother courses that are typically more open and spread out than AKC. UKI requires more space between obstacles than AKC.
- International style courses challenge both the dog and the handler.
- Relaxed atmosphere with the focus on fun over pressure.
- Speedstakes class allows you and your dog to compete even if your dog is still learning contacts or weave poles.
- Easily transfer levels from another organization. When first starting UKI, you can enroll your dog in an equivalent level to another organization.
UKI Events
UKI offers four types of classes:
- Speedstakes: Jumps and tunnels only. These are fast, flowy, and fun.
- Jumping: Jumps, tunnels, and weaves (similar to AKC JWW).
- Agility: Full set of obstacles including contacts, tunnels, weaves, and jumps.
- Games: Strategy-based point classes like Snooker and Gamblers. These classes require the dog to acquire a certain number of points to clear the round. This post, discusses Snooker in depth. I’ll cover Gamblers in a future article.
UKI Levels
UKI has four levels spread across two programs: Speedstakes and International. The Speedstakes program tracks only Speedstakes results, while the International program includes all other classes. Handlers move up by earning points.
- Beginner – The starting point. Refusals are allowed. Advance with 12 points (8 must be from Agility in the International program).
- Novice – Same courses as Beginner, but refusals are no longer allowed. Advance with 20 points (12 Agility, 4 Jumping, 4 Games for International).
- Senior – More challenging course than beginner/novice. Advance with 36 points (12 each from Agility, Jumping, and Games for International).
- Champ – The highest level. Senior/Champ run the same course but are scored separately. Advance with 60 points (at least 12 from Agility, Jumping, and Games for International).
- Masters – Anyone may enter the Masters class, regardless of level, but the courses are more challenging than Senior/Champ. They offer experienced teams an opportunity to compete at an elite level without going to a large competition. Masters’ classes cost more and award prize money to the winners.
UKI Obstacles
Depending on the class, UKI courses can include jumps, tunnels, weaves, and contact obstacles. A few things to note:
- UKI does not use the pause table.
- UKI does include the teeter, A-frame, and dog walk in standard agility courses.
- UKI courses may always include 12 weave poles, regardless of level. I have never seen 6 weave poles in a course.
- Jumps may include the tire, long jump, spread jump, or wall.
UKI Jump Heights
UKI offers two jump heights: regular and select. The select height is 4 inches lower than the regular jump height. For example, if a dog measures into the 24 inch regular jump height, their select height is 20 inches. Any dog may choose to jump the select height. Dogs are scored separately based on their jump height and if they are select or regular. The table below shows the standard jump height for a dog based on their measurement.
Registering For A UKI Agility Trial
Signing up for a UKI trial is fairly straightforward.
- First, you will need to register you and your dog with UKI ($15 per handler and $15 per dog) by visiting their website.
- Once registered, visit the events page and find a location and date that meet your needs.
- After you have selected an event, you will see an option to view the premium.
- If you are happy with the premium, go back to the event page and complete the registration form. You can sign up for all UKI trials online.
- UKI also allows late entry and day of trial entries. So if you miss the sign-up deadline, don’t stress out. You can likely still compete.
If you are interested in signing up for your first agility trial, be sure to check out my post explaining exactly what to expect at your first agility trial.
Questions? Be sure to leave a comment below!