Agility measuring

Height categories are as follows:

• large dogs, measuring over 500mm at the withers
• intermediate dogs, measuring over 430mm and measuring 500mm or under at the withers
• medium dogs, measuring over 350mm and measuring 430mm or under at the withers
• small dogs, measuring 350mm or under at the withers

Our current list of upcoming measuring sessions is above. 

There may be sessions which haven't been notified to us. If you are having difficulty identifying a convenient measuring session, it is suggested that you contact one or more of the measurers in your region to request details of any forthcoming measuring sessions they have agreed to undertake.

You can also contact an individual from our list of The Kennel Club accredited measurers who can inform you of sessions being held in future

If you can't find a date suitable for you to attend, you can contact an individual from our list of The Kennel Club accredited measurers for information regarding future sessions. Alternatively, you can contact a local show and see if they are running any sessions.

1. The dog must be registered with The Kennel Club on either the Breed Register or the Activity Register
2. You will need an official agility record book for the dog - purchase a copy from our shop
3. The dog must have a microchip or ear tattoo. It might be worth taking a photo even for a microchipped dog, just in case the chip cannot be detected/located at the measuring session - this will ensure that the measurement can still be recorded
4. The dog must be over 15 months of age
5. You will need to pay the measuring fee of £6 per measurement to the measurers

If you lose your agility record book after your dog has been measured, please email the working dog activities team or phone 01296 318540. We will send you official confirmation of your dog's measurement as recorded on The Kennel Club's measuring database, which you can then insert into your replacement record book. You must not have your dog officially measured again just because the record book has been mislaid or destroyed.

All dogs competing in Kennel Club agility competitions are allocated into one of four height categories:

Large: dogs measuring over 50cm at the withers

Intermediate: dogs measuring over 43cm and measuring 50cm or under at the withers

Medium: dogs measuring over 35cm and measuring 43cm or under at the withers

Small: dogs measuring 35cm or under at the withers

Before competing at Kennel Club licensed agility shows, dogs must be measured into a height category, unless you feel your dog is obviously in the large height, in which case they will not require a measurement. Once a dog has competed in large without a measure, it will not be able to have a measure.

Measuring must be carried out by two Kennel Club accredited measurers who will determine the height category of the dog by way of a measuring hoop placed on the dog’s withers. This will then be recorded in the dogs Kennel Club agility record book accordingly.

Dogs must have a first measure before they start to compete. To have this measurement they must be over 15 months of age.

A second measure to confirm their height category must be undertaken 12-24 months after the first measure. The second measure must be undertaken by two different measurers to those who did the first.

If, at its second measure, a dog is measured into a different height category than at its first, then a third measure must be undertaken within two calendar months by two measurers who have not previously measured the dog.

An owner may choose to bring their dog forward for measuring if they believe that it is not 'obviously' large. When a dog is measured into the large height category the measurers, in agreement with the owner, can strike through and sign that the second measure is not required.

The fee for measuring is £6 per measure. If any additional expenses are to be charged for (e.g. hire of venue and travel expenses), measurers should advise prior to attending a session.

• The Kennel Club appoints and trains accredited measurers who may carry out measuring of agility dogs and are authorised to complete dog's records books
• Details of agility measurers, scheduled measuring sessions and further information can be found above 
• Measuring sessions are also frequently held at Kennel Club agility shows

• Dogs must be registered with the Kennel Club on either the Breed or Activity Register before being measured, and be in receipt of their confirmed Kennel Club Name and Number.
• Two Kennel Club Accredited measurers must be in attendance to carry out the measurement and must use a measuring device approved by the Kennel Club.
• For all measurements, neither measurer must have previously measured the dog nor must the dog be owned or part owned by them, owned by a partner, member of their family or been previously handled in competition by them.
• Dogs must be measured in private, in a controlled environment and not in the presence or visibility of other people or dogs.
• Measuring must be carried out on a level and even surface. The surface used for measuring should be solid, flat and non-slip.
• All small, medium and intermediate dogs MUST be measured by two Kennel Club Accredited Measurers before they can compete at a Kennel Club licensed agility show.
• Dogs may be presented for measuring by the owner or by a person appointed by the owner. No one other than the owner or person appointed by the owner may be present at the session other than where the owner of handler is under the age of 18 when they should be accompanied by an appropriate adult. In the event that additional assistance is required the measurers can, as an exception, allow one additional person to attend the session to assist. The exception should be noted on the measuring return when submitted to The Kennel Club.
• Measurers must obtain permission before handling the dog.
• All dogs must be at least 15 months old before their first measurement.
• All dogs measuring into Small, Medium or Intermediate at their first measure MUST have a second measure.  This second measure must take place between 12 – 24 months after the first measurement, by two different measurers.
• If the second measure places the dog in the same category as its first measure, then the dog remains in this height category.  If the measure is different then the dog goes forward for a third measure, which must take place within two months of the second measure, by two measurers who have not measured the dog previously.
• The signed agility record book for the dog must be available for inspection if requested by the show management or judge.

• If an owner wishes to compete their dog in the large height category then no measurement is required. Once entered at a show without a measure, the dog cannot then be brought forward for measuring and will be in the large height category for life
• When a dog is measured into the large height category, the measurers, in agreement with the owner, can strike through and sign the second measure as not required
• Large dogs that do not have the second measure crossed out by the first measurers must have a second measure between 12-24 months after the first measure
• Once a dog that has not been measured has competed in any class at a Kennel Club licenced event it may not be brought forward for measuring and will be deemed large for life

• If a dog’s second measure places them in a different height category to the first, then a third measure must be carried out within two calendar months from the date of the second measure. This must be conducted by two measurers, both of whom have not measured the dog previously
• All dogs should compete in their initial (first) height category until the third measure confirms their final height
• The dog’s height category will be that confirmed by two out of the three measurements
• Where a dog changes height category it is permissible, at the discretion of the show secretary, for entries to be altered after the closing date to enable the dog to compete in the correct height category
• Owners/handlers are reminded to notify show processors of changes to a dog’s height category
• Where a dog’s height is changed, any awards gained prior to the final measurement will still be valid
• Owners/handlers may appeal in writing to The Kennel Club within seven days of a disputed measurement taking place. This must include the reasons for the appeal, which must only be about the measuring procedure, and must include the appropriate fee of £35

• An additional measurement may only be requested by The Kennel Club or a Kennel Club approved championship agility judge. The dog in question must have already had its final official Kennel Club measurement
• This is requested when there is a query as to whether the dog is in the correct height category
• The championship judge does not need to be officiating on the day the additional measurement is requested but must attend the show. No fee for requesting a measure will be required from either the judge or the handler/owner
• Any large dog which has not been through the measuring process shall not be eligible for an additional measurement
• The request for an additional measurement must be recorded in the show’s incident book and lodged in writing at The Kennel Club within 14 days
• The Kennel Club will advise the owner/handler of the dog of the requirement for an additional measure
• All small and medium dogs who are invited onto the Team GB squad will be subject to an additional measurement
• The additional measurement must be completed within two months of the request being received at The Kennel Club and must be undertaken by two measurers appointed by The Kennel Club from the list of senior measurers and have never previously measured the dog
• At the additional measuring session, the height recorded will take immediate effect
• The additional measurement can only be undertaken once in a dog’s lifetime

• Should an owner request to move a dog to the next higher height category, they may do so at any time, and it will be for the lifetime of the dog, with no further changes of height permitted
• If the dog’s owner(s) wishes to take this course of action, the dog’s record book should, with the written permission of the owner(s) or in the presence of the owner, be signed by two senior measurers without being measured
• In the case of joint ownership, written permission must be provided from all the owners
• Alternatively, the record book should be sent to The Kennel Club with a request that the dog’s height be amended with a letter from the owner(s) giving consent for this to happen

Please note, as of publication of this document, posting a record book to The Kennel Club is not advised while the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing as post is not being received.

• The dog in question must be present and be physically measured regardless of how well the measurers know the dog in question or how obvious the height may appear
• The dog must be wearing a collar and be under the control of the handler
• A Kennel Club agility record book is needed to record your dog’s measurement. If you do not already own one, please check that there will be some available to purchase on the day since you will not be able to have your dog measured without one. Alternatively, you can purchase one via The Kennel Club's online shop
• The dog’s Kennel Club registration number must be provided
• The dog’s name, as shown on The Kennel Club registration document, must be provided
• All dogs must be microchipped to be measured
• The dog must be calm when it is measured
• The dog must be willing to stand squarely with all four legs on the ground/table, neither stretched nor crouched
• The dog’s head should be in a natural position
• Titbits/toys may be used
• A dog can wear a muzzle when being measured but should be of sound temperament and be used to being handled
• If you request you may place the measuring hoop over the dog, but the measurers will need to check the hoop is correctly placed on the withers
• A dog which is incapable of being measured will not be eligible for competition until an official measurement has been carried out
• The fee for measuring is £4 for per measure. If any additional expenses are to be charged for (e.g. hire of venue and travel expenses), measurers should advise prior to attending a session

• When new people join your club/society, inform them of how to go about getting their dog(s) measured should they wish to compete
• Clubs training small, medium and intermediate dogs for competition are encouraged to prepare dogs for measuring well in advance of the actual measuring session taking place. This is to ensure the dog(s) are comfortable standing still and square for a short period of time and being handled by a third party
• Consider organising a measuring session for your members’ dogs on one of your training evenings. Contact your local measurers in advance asking them for suitable dates when they could attend your club venue. Advertise the sessions to your club membership and elsewhere if numbers are low prior to the event. Notify The Kennel Club office of your measuring session and we can help to publicise the session to make others aware of it taking place
• When holding an agility show, it may be a good idea to invite measurers along so that it gives agility competitors the opportunity to have their dog(s) measured whilst they are already there. Invite the measurers in advance so that the show schedule can be used to advertise the measuring session to those who live locally in the area wanting to compete or to get involved in the discipline
• If your club organises a measuring session please note that the measurement of dogs must take place in a controlled environment and quiet place such as a separate tent or building where the session can be held in private, and not in the presence or visibility of other dogs or handlers.  The space should be sufficiently large for the measurers, owner and dogs to be comfortable.  Measuring must be carried out on a level and even surface. The surface used for measuring should be solid, flat and non-slip.

Measuring officials will be trained and should not undertake any official measuring until training has been successfully completed.

• Measurers should inform The Kennel Club of any upcoming measuring sessions they are holding. This is to ensure that the office can advertise them on The Kennel Club website prior to the event and make it easier for those seeking measuring sessions
• Measuring devices will be of a fixed 'hoop' type and must be of a type approved by The Kennel Club. A separate measuring device is required for measuring each of small, medium or intermediate/large dogs
• Measurers must check that the measuring device(s) being used are of Kennel Club approved type, are accurate and that there is no evidence of tampering with the device
• The dog must be calm when it is measured
• The dog must show the correct angulations at the front and rear when standing
• The dog should be standing with it’s head in a natural position
• The height is taken with the dog standing on a level surface with their front feet directly under them and their hind feet in in a natural stance. While talking to the owner, observe the dog’s natural stand
• The measuring device should be level and in contact with the surface (parallel) on both sides at the time of measurement
• At a measuring session, if there is any doubt into which height category the dog should be placed, the dog should be moved at least three times between the readings
• If requested, the dog’s owner may place the measuring hoop over the dog, but the measurers will need to check the hoop is correctly placed on the withers
• Food may be used to assist the dog standing calmly
• If it is the opinion of the measuring officials that the dog is not fit to be measured, then the measurer(s) may refuse to measure the dog (e.g. if the dog is aggressive or is incapable of standing correctly or is incapable of standing still long enough for an accurate measure to be taken)
• At the time the dog is presented for measurement, an agility record book completed by the owner/handler will be required. The agility record book should include identification details of the dog being measured together with a notation of it’s microchip number and any distinguishing tattoos
• Once the measurement has taken place to the satisfaction of both officials, the height category of the dog should be recorded in the record book and both officials must sign and date the notation
• The dog’s microchip reading must be checked during the measuring session, either by the owner or the measurer
• If a photo is included, the measurers’ signatures should cover the edge of the photo onto the page of the record book
• After a measuring session, the measurers must type up records of the session into the Excel spreadsheet supplied and send this electronically to the office (ideally within 14 days of the event), so that the data can be inputted onto the measuring database. You should only include data of your actual measuring session. Also remember to put any notes on the spreadsheet that you feel relevant, such as outside timescales. This allows the office to resolve any disputes and provide duplicate information to those that have lost their agility record book
• Measurers should ensure that the measuring venue is suitable before starting the session. In the event that the venue cannot be made suitable the session must not be held.
• Measuring must be carried out on a level and even surface. The surface used for measuring should be solid, flat and non-slip. The dog may stand on a smooth non-slip stable platform or sufficiently large stable table, for example a grooming table. The floor may only be used if it is smooth and flat, this cannot be achieved by the dog standing directly on grass or on a carpeted surface with a pile.

• In the event of a dispute over the measuring procedure The Kennel Club will evaluate whether there are grounds for appeal
• Owners/handlers may appeal in writing to The Kennel Club within seven days of the disputed measure taking place. This must be accompanied by a written statement from the owner/handler of the dog with a brief description as to the grounds for the appeal and the appropriate fee of £35
• Appeals may be heard from third parties, however, The Kennel Club will only investigate such appeals where there are clear grounds to do so
• Whilst the appeal is in progress the dog under appeal will be eligible to compete only in the category attested to by the measuring officials
• In the event that an appeal is upheld, The Kennel Club will authorise the re-measurement of the dog
• Once the re-measurement has taken place the decision will be final and no further objection will be allowed