NOTE: YOU CAN GO TO http://www.akc.org/rules/agility.cfm?page=9  for more information about this 

THE PREFERRED CLASS:

Regular or the Championship level classes were the first type of classes that AKC offered. A few years ago, AKC also started offering PREFERRED level classes.   These classes allow a dog to jump ONE jump height lower than measured AND gives another 5 seconds added onto the Standard Course Time.

For example, a dog that measures 22.25 would normally jump in the 24" height division.  They may enter the Preferred level class in the 20" height division.    Dogs may earn titles in each type -Championship and Preferred.  

You may not enter Preferred and Championship during the same event weekend. You may switch back and forth for different events.  You may ONLY enter the correct Preferred Jump Height. Unlike the Championship class, you may NOT enter a higher level Preferred Jump Height.  Because of this, please be careful when entering a Preferred class if your dog has not been measured.

Let's assume  a dog is borderline in height, and the owner thinks the dog should be in the 20 inch Preferred class. At the trial a VMO measures the dog and it measures at 22 inches on the nose. It is now eligible for the 20 inch Championship class (and therefore the 16 inch preferred class) and it is NO LONGER eligible to run in the 20 inch PREFERRED class. As a result, the dog cannot run that weekend and the owner forfeits the entry.

All dogs entering the Preferred Classes for the first time must enter the Novice level in both the Preferred Standard Agility Class and the Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Class regardless of their previous title level in the Regular Classes (Standard and JWW). There is no grandfathering of titles from the Regular Classes to the Preferred Classes or from the Preferred Classes to the Regular Classes. These classes are separate titling programs and in both cases the dogs must start at the Novice level. 

·         Dogs may be entered in only one (1) Preferred Standard Agility class and one (1) Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Class per day. 

·         A dog may continue to compete at each level until they achieve a qualifying score at the next higher level.

·         The Preferred Standard Agility Class and the Preferred JWW Class are separate titling programs and a dog may advance faster in one than the other (A dog that has achieved its NJP is eligible for and may enter the Open Jumpers With Weaves Preferred Class. The same dog must also achieve three (3) qualifying scores in the Standard Novice Agility Preferred Class before being eligible to move-up to the Standard Open Agility Preferred Class). 

The Preferred Classes and associated titles are:

Preferred Standard Agility Classes

Novice Agility Preferred - NAP
Open Agility Preferred - OAP
Agility Excellent "A" Preferred- AXP
Master Agility Excellent "B" Preferred - MXP

Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Classes

Novice Jumpers With Weaves Preferred - NJP
Open Jumpers With Weaves Preferred - OJP
Excellent Jumpers With Weaves "A" Preferred - AJP
Master Excellent Jumpers With Weaves "B" Preferred - MJP

A club holding an agility trial must offer all of the Preferred Classes and Preferred Class levels equivalent to the Regular Classes and Regular Class levels offered at the trial. It is highly recommended that the Preferred Classes be run concurrently with the Regular Classes using the same course as the Regular Classes to minimize exhibitor walkthroughs, judge’s briefings, and jump height changes.

All dogs entering the Preferred Classes for the first time must enter the Novice level in both the Preferred Standard Agility Class and the Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Class regardless of their previous title level in the Regular Classes (Standard & JWW). There is no grandfathering of titles from the Regular Classes to the Preferred Classes or from the Preferred Classes to the Regular Classes. These classes are separate titling programs and in both cases the dogs must start at the Novice level.

      Novice Agility Preferred & Novice Jumpers With Weaves Preferred Classes.  The Novice Agility Preferred Class and the Novice Jumpers with Weaves Preferred Class are not divided. A dog may continue to be shown in the Novice Preferred Class until they have acquired a qualifying score towards their Open Preferred (OAP) title. 

      Open Agility Preferred Class.  Open to dogs that have acquired the Novice Agility Preferred (NAP) or Open Agility Preferred (OAP) titles but which have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Agility Excellent Preferred (AXP) title.

      Open Jumpers With Weaves Preferred Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Novice JWW Preferred (NJP) or the Open JWW Preferred (OJP) titles but have not acquired a qualifying score towards an Excellent JWW Preferred (AJP) title.

      Agility Excellent “A” Preferred Class.  Open to dogs that have acquired the Open Agility Preferred (OAP) title and to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent Preferred (AXP) title but that have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Master Agility Excellent Preferred (MXP) title.

      Excellent Jumpers With Weaves “A” Preferred Class.  Open to dogs that have acquired the Open JWW Preferred (OJP) title and to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent JWW Preferred (AJP) title but have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Master Excellent JWW Preferred (MJP) title.

      Master Agility Excellent “B” Preferred Class.  Open only to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent Preferred (AXP) title and to dogs that have acquired the Master Agility Excellent Preferred (MXP) title.

      Master Excellent Jumpers With Weaves “B” Preferred Class.  Open only to dogs that have acquired the Excellent JWW Preferred (AJP) title and to dogs that have acquired the Master Excellent JWW Preferred (MJP) title.

Note:  Whenever the Excellent Preferred classes are offered both Divisions “A” and “B” must be offered.