UKI and AKC are two popular agility organizations in the US. In general, they are very similar, but there are some key differences that set them apart. In general, UKI courses are larger, more technical, and replicate European style course designs. In contrast, AKC courses are typically more compact and less technical, with a heavy focus on running clean. Both offer a great experience, so which you chose is really a personal preference.
AKC and UKI at a Glance
AKC, American Kennel Club, held its first agility trial in 1994. As one of the first agility organizations and the largest dog organization in the US, AKC and the history of dog sports in the US are closely intertwined. This is a great article if you are interested in learning more about the history. AKC is by far the most popular agility organization in the US. Regardless of where you live, there is likely an AKC trial in your area. AKC offers four titling levels: Novice, Open, Excellent, and Master. Premier courses are more challenging the Masters.
UKI, United Kingdom International, started in the US in 2010, and has quickly grown in popularity. They regularly offer trials across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and West Coast, although they are slightly less popular in the Midwest. UKI has four titling levels: Beginner, Novice, Senior, and Champ. Masters courses are the most challenging. This article provides a detailed overview of UKI if you are interested in learning more.
AKC vs UKI Course Size
One of the biggest difference between UKI and AKC is the course design, specifically the distance between obstacles and overall ring size. AKC requires a minimum ring size of 8,000 square feet for Excellent, Master, and Premier courses, with smaller rings allowed for Novice and Open. While UKI does not specify a minimum course size, there courses tend to be at least 8,000 square feet, regardless of level. UKI also requires at least 18 feet between obstacles, while AKC only requires 15 feet. As a result, UKI courses tend to feel much larger than AKC courses.
While many AKC courses can be handled with just a little movement from the handler, UKI courses often require the handler to run through the course with their dog. If you enjoy running, then you may prefer UKI. In contrast, if your mobility is limited or you enjoy handling with less movement, then AKC will likely better suit your needs.
Course Difficulty
UKI courses are designed to follow international rules and trends. As a result, they tend to be more technical than AKC courses. Senior and Champ courses in UKI regularly involve a plethora of backsides, slices, threadles, challenging weave entries, and tricky obstacle discriminations. While AKC courses can have all of these elements, they tend to be less challenging overall.
Although UKI courses are often very technically challenging, they often use flowing lines that a dog can follow. AKC, in contrast, often has lines that are challenging for a dog to read, making them more reliant on the handler.
It’s also easier to qualify (gain level points) in AKC than UKI, especially at the lower levels.
I would rank the levels in the following order, from easiest to hardest:
- AKC Novice
- UKI Beginner
- AKC Open
- UKI Novice
- AKC Excellent
- AKC Master
- UKI Senior
- UKI Champ
There are also a few big differences in what makes a qualifying score, especially at the lower levels. The biggest differences being the number of obstacles, the number of weave poles, and the allowance of off courses in AKC Novice.
AKC Novice
- 14-16 Obstacles
- 6 Weave poles
- Score at least 85 points
- 2 refusals allowed
- 1 wrong course allowed
- 2 table faults allowed
- Weave refusals and run outs are not counted
UKI Beginners
- 16-19 Obstacles
- 12 Weave poles
- Unlimited refusals
- No wrong course
The 12 weave poles and no off course make UKI Beginner significantly more challenging than AKC Novice.
AKC vs UKI Obstacles
AKC and UKI use very similar obstacles; however, there are a few differences. The table below shows the breakdown. The AKC obstacle name is in parenthesis if it differs from the UKI name.
| Obstacle | AKC | UKI |
| A Frame | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dog Walk | ✓ | ✓ |
| Teeter (Seesaw) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Jump | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weave Poles | 6 (Novice) or 12 | 12 |
| Tunnel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spread Jump (Double Bar Jump) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wall Jump | ✓ | ✓ |
| Long Jump (Broad Jump) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire | ✓ | Uncommon |
| Pause Table | ✓ | X |
| Panel Jump | ✓ | X |
| Ascending Double Bar Jump | ✓ | X |
| Triple Bar Jump | ✓ | X |
AKC vs UKI Classes
AKC and UKI differ a bit in the classes they offer. While many classes are the same, UKI has a larger focus on games than AKC. UKI also includes Speedstakes, which is absent from AKC.
AKC Classes
AKC includes four classes: Standard, Jumpers with Weaves (JWW), Fifteen and Send Time (FAST), and Time 2 Beat (T2B). Jumpers with Weaves include jumps, tunnels, and weaves. Standard includes all contact obstacles (seesaw, A-frame, dog walk, pause table), jumps, tunnels, and weaves.
Fifteen And Send Time (FAST) is a strategy game where you design your own course to earn points from obstacles. Near the end of the run, you must successfully complete a distance challenge called the “Send Bonus”. To qualify, you need enough points plus the Send Bonus. FAST includes all contact obstacles, jumps, tunnels, and weaves.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) is a speed-focused class where the goal is simply to complete the course as quickly as possible. Standard Course Time is generous, and placements are based on speed. Dogs earn points toward the T2B title based on how they place and whether they beat a designated time. T2B may include jumps, tunnels, A-frame, seesaw, and weaves. It does not include the dog walk.
In AKC, each class has its titling progression. For example, a dog may be Novice in JWW but master in Standard. The exception to this is when a dog is going for the highest title, Master of Agility Champion (MACH). To earn this title, a dog must qualify in both Standard and JWW on the same day, called a double Q.
UKI Classes
UKI has five classes: Agility, Jumping, Speedstakes, Gamblers, and Snooker. Agility includes all contact obstacles, jumps, tunnels, and weaves. Jumping includes jumps, tunnels, and weaves. Speedstakes only includes jumps and tunnels.
Gamblers and Snooker are both games classes that require the handler to think on their feet and acquire points to earn a qualifing run. In Snooker, the dog must alternate between a point obstacle and a red jump before advancing through a sequence of obstacles. In Gamblers, the handler designs their own course to gain as many points as possible before moving on to the gamble, a series of obstacles worth 10 or 15 points. Honestly, both are fairly complicated, so I encourage you to check out my other articles on these classes.
To summarize, the table below shows how the classes line up.
| UKI | AKC | Obstacles |
| Agility | Standard | Contacts, Jumps, Tunnels, Weaves |
| Jumping | Jumpers with Weaves (JWW) | Jumps, Tunnels, Weaves |
| Gamblers | Fifteen and Send Time (FAST) | Jumps, Tunnels, Weaves, Contacts |
| Snooker | Jumps, Tunnels, Weaves, Contacts | |
| Speedstakes | Time 2 Beat (T2B) | AKC – Contacts, Jumps, Tunnels, Weaves UKI – Jumps, Tunnels |
Is UKI or AKC Better?
The organization you chose is a personal decision. I prefer UKI because I enjoy running with my dog, technical courses, and flowy lines. However, AKC is significantly more popular in my area due to the smaller course size and higher Q rate. I encourage you to try both organizations before making a decision. While you can do both, it is often easier to have one main organization so you can advance through the titles and qualify for the larger trials.
Good luck and have fun!