If you've been running AKC agility for a while and want something more challenging, Premier classes might be exactly what you're looking for. These advanced-level courses are open to all dogs — no special title required — but they bring a noticeable step up in difficulty.
What Are Premier Classes?
AKC offers two Premier classes: Premier Standard and Premier Jumpers With Weaves (Premier JWW). They follow the same general format as their regular counterparts, but the course designs are harder. You'll see tighter turns, more complex handling sequences, and obstacle combinations that demand precision from both you and your dog.
Think of Premier as the “next level” experience without needing to enter a completely different program. It's still AKC agility, just turned up a notch.
Who Can Enter?
Premier classes are open to any dog that is registered or listed with the AKC and eligible for agility. There's no title prerequisite, so technically a dog at any experience level can enter. However, the course difficulty means these classes are best suited for teams that are comfortable at the Excellent level or above.
If your dog is still working through Novice or Open, you'll probably want to wait until you're consistently qualifying at Excellent before giving Premier a try.
How Are They Different from Regular Classes?
The biggest differences come down to course design:
- More complex sequences — Judges have more freedom to create challenging paths, including tighter turns and longer distance challenges.
- Higher expectations — The courses assume you and your dog can handle advanced handling moves like blind crosses, threadles, and backside jumps.
- Premier Standard includes contacts and table — Just like regular Standard, you'll have the A-frame, dog walk, seesaw, and table, but the sequences around them are trickier.
- Premier JWW is fast and technical — No contacts, but the jump and weave sequences require sharp handling and quick decision-making.
Do Premier Classes Earn Titles?
Premier classes don't have their own separate title track the way Standard and JWW do. You won't earn an NA, OA, or MX through Premier runs. However, qualifying runs in Premier do count toward the Premier Agility Champion (PAC) title, which is a prestigious achievement that shows your team can handle the toughest AKC courses.
Many handlers run Premier classes not for titles but for the challenge itself. It's a great way to push your skills and keep things interesting after you've been running Excellent for a while.
Why Handlers Love Premier
Premier classes attract handlers who enjoy problem-solving on course. The difficulty means every qualifying run feels like a real accomplishment. You'll also find that Premier courses help sharpen your handling skills in ways that carry over to your regular runs.
Another benefit: because the courses are harder, the entry counts are sometimes smaller. This can mean shorter wait times and a more relaxed atmosphere at the ring.
Tips for Your First Premier Run
- Walk the course carefully and identify the tricky sequences before you run.
- Don't be afraid to run conservatively your first few times — clean runs matter more than speed.
- Watch other experienced handlers run before your turn to pick up handling ideas.
- Have fun with it. Premier is meant to be a challenge, not a stress test.
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