If you've only competed in one agility organization, trying another can feel like learning a new language. The heights are different, the levels have different names, the scoring works differently, and the classes don't always match up.
This guide compares the three organizations Barkloop supports — AKC, UKI, and AAC — so you know what to expect before you step to the line.
Jump Heights at a Glance
AKC (American Kennel Club)
- Regular: 8”, 12”, 16”, 20”, 24”
- Preferred: 4”, 8”, 12”, 16”, 20” (lower jump option)
- Choice (24”C): Dogs measuring 22”+ can choose to jump 24” or 20”
- Total: 11 height options
UKI (UK Agility International)
- Regular: 8”, 12”, 16”, 20”, 22”, 24”
- Select: 4”(s), 8”(s), 12”(s), 16”(s), 20”(s) (one height lower, no spreads, lower A-frame)
- Total: 11 height options
AAC (Agility Association of Canada)
- Five divisions: Micro (4”), Toy (8”), Mini (12”), Specials (16”), Regular (22”)
- Simpler system — 5 heights total, no separate preferred/select track
Levels and Progression
AKC — 4 Levels
- Novice → Open → Excellent → Masters
- Move up after earning 3 qualifying scores (10 at Masters for MACH)
- Separate tracks for Standard and JWW
- FAST classes have their own Novice/Open/Excellent/Master levels
UKI — 6 Levels (International) + 4 (Speedstakes)
- International: Beginner → Novice → Senior → Champion
- Speedstakes: SS Beginner → SS Novice → SS Senior → SS Champion
- Plus Nursery (intro class) and Veterans (special track)
- Progression requires points from multiple class types (Agility + Jumping + Games)
- You can't advance by running only one class type
AAC — 3 Levels
- Starters → Advanced → Masters
- Move up after earning 3 qualifying scores per level
- Separate title tracks for Standard, Jumpers, Gamblers, Snooker, and Steeplechase
- International Biathlon is open to all levels
Classes Offered
AKC
- Standard — Full obstacle set including contacts and weaves
- Jumpers with Weaves (JWW) — Jumps, tunnels, and weaves only
- FAST — Points-based strategy class (Novice through Master)
- Time 2 Beat (T2B) — Open to all levels, beat the posted time
- Premier Standard & JWW — Advanced-level open classes
UKI
- Standard: Agility, Jumping, Speedstakes
- Games: Gamblers, Snooker, Snakes & Ladders, Power & Speed
- Combo Events: Masters Series (Agility + Jumping heats), Biathlon, Games Challenge, Speedstakes Challenge
- Special: Nursery, Veterans, Warmup, Team Relay, Challenger, Tunnelers
- 33+ class types total — the most variety of any organization
AAC
- Standard — Full obstacle course
- Jumpers with Weaves — Jumps, tunnels, weaves
- Gamblers — Points-based, opening + gamble sequence
- Snooker — Points-based, color-number sequence
- Steeplechase — Fast, jumps-and-tunnels course
- International Biathlon — Two-round combo (Agility + JWW), Time + Faults scoring
Scoring Differences
Standard/Agility Classes
All three orgs use a time + faults approach for standard classes, but the details vary:
- AKC: Faults first, then time. Clean runs ranked by time. 100-point starting score minus deductions.
- UKI: Faults first, then time. Clean (Group A) runs ranked by time separately from faulted (Group B) runs.
- AAC: Faults first, then time for regular classes. Time + Faults for Biathlon.
Points/Games Classes
UKI and AAC both offer Gamblers and Snooker with similar concepts (opening period + gamble/closing sequence), but the specific gamble point options differ. AKC's FAST class is conceptually similar but uses its own rules and tier system.
Combo Events
UKI has the most combo variety: Masters Series (sum of heat scores), Biathlon (faults + time combined), Games Challenge (Snooker + Gamblers), and Speedstakes Challenge (two-round combined time). AAC has International Biathlon. AKC does not have formal combo events.
Key Differences That Catch People Off Guard
- UKI requires cross-class progression. You need Agility, Jumping, and Games Qs to move up. In AKC and AAC, each class track is independent.
- AAC Biathlon has dual-qualifying. A clean Biathlon Agility run earns both a Biathlon Q and a Standard Q. No other org does this.
- AKC has Preferred heights. It's a separate lower-jump division with its own title track (PAD, PJD). UKI's equivalent is Select, which shares the same title track.
- UKI has no refusal counting at Beginner level. Refusals start counting at Novice. AKC and AAC count refusals at all levels.
- AAC uses 5 height divisions. Fewer options but simpler. AKC and UKI both have 11.
Which Organization Should You Try?
There's no wrong answer. Each org has its strengths:
- AKC is great if you want a structured, competitive environment with well-established title tracks and widespread trial availability across the US.
- UKI is perfect if you love variety (33+ classes!), want a reward-based training atmosphere, and enjoy games classes like Gamblers and Snooker as part of your progression.
- AAC is ideal for Canadian handlers who want a straightforward 3-level system with the exciting new International Biathlon stream.
Many handlers compete across multiple organizations. Your dog doesn't care which rulebook you're using — they just want to run.
For Trial Secretaries: Why This Matters
If your club hosts trials for multiple organizations, keeping all the rules straight is a real challenge. Each org has different height cards, different scoring formulas, different class types, and different progression rules. Getting any of it wrong means incorrect results and unhappy competitors.
Barkloop supports AKC, UKI, and AAC out of the box. Pick your org when you create a trial, and all the heights, levels, classes, and scoring rules are pre-configured. No manual setup. No risk of mixing up rules between organizations. Try it free.