Dog Agility is a fun spectator sport where dog owners/handlers compete against each other to determine who leads their dog through an obstacle course the fastest, and with the fewest errors. This competitive course is made up of several types of obstacles including an A-Frame, Weave Poles, Tunnels, a See-saw, and various Jumps.
This exciting competition is timed, and the obstacle and jump measurements are designated ahead of time to ensure a fair manner of judging the event. These challenges show how well a dog owner trains and leads their dogs, and the contest displays the level of trust and bonding between a dog and his owner. The competition also demonstrates each dog’s natural Agility, level of obedience, and more.
How tall are dog agility jumps? The height of jumps can vary depending on the size of the dog, type of jump, and organization overseeing the competition or course.
AKC Jump Heights – Standard Bar/Hurdle Jump (Preferred Class)
| Jump Height(in inches) | Dog Height (measured at withers) |
| 4” | 11 inches and under |
| 8” | 14 inches and under |
| 12” | 18 inches and under |
| 16” | 22 inches and under |
| 20” | Over 22 inches |
Types of AKC Agility Jumps
- Bar Jumps
- Panel Jump
- Double Bar Jump
- Ascending Double Bar Jump
- Triple Bar Jump
- Tire Jump
- Broad Jump
- Wall Jump
Each of these jump types comes with a set of regulations and specifications outlined by the governing organization. While the jumps remain relatively (if not completely) similar, there can be differences from one organization to the next.
If you’re considering competing in Agility with your dog, it will be important for you to understand the different types of jumps and train your dog on the correct jump for their height.
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How To Properly Measure Your Dog At Their Withers
Since determining the jump height at which your dog should practice depends on their height, it’s important for you to accurately measure your pup. All Agility measurements are taken at your dog’s ‘withers’. Their withers are located at the top of their shoulders.
To measure your dog at their withers:
- Have your dog stand next to a wall
- Be sure they stand on all 4’s in a natural stance (no leaning of slouching)
- Take a flat object (a ruler or level work nicely) and place it on the top of their shoulders
- Making sure it’s level, make that height on the wall with a pencil
- Measure the height of that mark
This short video shows an easy way to get an accurate measurement:
At a competitive event, be prepared for your dog to be re-measured before or even after competing. And this measurement will be final, so it’s best that you get it accurately on your own so your practice heights are correct.
Other AKC Dog Agility Jump Types
Bar Jump
This jump consists of bar(s) that measure about 1” in diameter and are between 4-feet and 5-feet long. They’re usually made of high-quality PVC pipe, so the edges are smooth and rounded to prevent injury if the dog bumps into it or knocks it. To make the bar more visible for the pup, the bars should be striped.
The bars are supported by 2 upright posts measuring roughly 4-feet tall. On the inside of the posts are supports for the bars placed at different height increments. The bars simply rest on these supports and shouldn’t be permanently attached. This way, if a dog knocks into the bar, it will fall rather than tripping and injuring them.
Panel Jump
This jump uses a total of (6) cross-boards positioned to look like a solid wall when looking from the actual jump height down to ground level. The upright support post measurements are the same as with the Bar Jump.
The cross-boards are required to measure 4-feet to 5-feet lengthwise and 3-inches to 4-inches wide. Additionally, these boards should be no thicker than 1-inch thick. The top board should be no more than 4 inches high, and panels are required to be supported to ensure easy displacement.
Double Bar Jump
The Double Bar Jump is made up of two parallel bars measuring 5-feet long. This jump can be one specially designed obstacle or can be made by placing (2) single-bar jumps next to each other. Because it makes it hard for the handler and the dog to clearly see the jump, the sides of this jump should remain open.
The distance the bars are apart from each other is calculated by dividing the jump height in two. So if the dog is competing at the 12” height, the bars should be 6-inches apart. Under this jump are (2) additional 5-foot bars going from one support post to the other, forming an “X”.
Ascending Double Bar Jump
The Ascending Double Bar Jump is made up of two ascending 5-foot bars. The rear bar is placed at the regulation height for the competing class. In most cases, the front bar is set 4-inches lower than the rear bar.
The objective is for the dog to jump over the bars without knocking them off the supports. The dog will complete the jump by jumping over the lowest bar first, hence the name ‘ascending’.
Triple Bar Jump (Ascending)
Similar to the Ascending Double Bar Jump, the Triple Bar Jump has 3 ascending 5-foot bars. The bars are one-half the jump height apart horizontally and one-quarter the jump height apart, vertically.
The objective is for the dog to jump over the bars without knocking them off the supports. The dog will complete the jump by jumping over the lowest bar first, hence the name ‘ascending’.
Tire Jump
A Tire Jump consists of a tire-like object suspended between a rectangular frame. The circular object is made by connecting (2) 180-degree pieces made from a flexible material; usually rubber or plastic. This helps cushion the dogs in case of impact. The (2) pieces are connected in a way so that if they are hit, they will disconnect which reduces the chance of injuring the dog. The opening of the tire varies depending on the size of the dog.
The dog is required to jump through the center of the tire without breaking the connection of the tire or knocking the frame over.
Broad Jump
The Broad Jump will consist of (4) white hurdles (collapsible into each other); each measuring about 8 inches wide. Each hurdle is 4-feet to 5-feet in length. For better visibility, the 4-corners of the obstacle should be marked by striped 36-inch tall poles. The edges of the hurdles should also be marked with a contrasting color to improve visibility.
The dogs are to jump all of the hurdles without moving of stepping on any of them. They must enter the obstacle between the front marker poles and exit between the back poles. The marker poles can be touched as long as the dog enters and exits between them.
Wall Jump
The Wall Jump has two pillars (towers), a triangular bottom base, (4) boards, and what are called ‘tops’.
The object is for the dogs to jump over the tops located between the two pillars without displacing any of the 4 tops. They are to jump this obstacle in the direction the judge indicates.
Related Questions
Is it possible to make my own Agility jump hurdles?
Absolutely! You can find DIY instructions for many of the obstacles used in Agility and jumps are no different. Here’s a cool video that shows you how to make a jump using PVC.
If you’re not sold on making your own hurdle, this one on Amazon is a great one to start with.
How much does a professional Agility course for dogs cost?
The cost varies depending on the quality of the course and the obstacles you want to include. If you want to include an artificial turf flooring or soft mat surface, that will only add to the cost. Without factoring in the cost of the flooring, you’re probably looking at spending $5,000 to $10,000.
Most people opt for building a small backyard course. The cool thing is, you can find most of the Agility obstacles you need to get started right on Amazon (see for yourself).
That’s A Wrap!
As you can see, not all jumps in dog Agility are the same. Each jump provides the dog with a different experience and set of challenges. This variety changes things up for the dog and keeps things interesting. It’s our hope that you now have a better understanding of the types of jumps and what makes each one different. Now get out there and start jumping your pup!
