The GSP is a versatile dog. In the field and at the show Shorthairs have proven their excellence, and continue that tradition in hunt tests, obedience, rally, tracking, and the hottest growing canine sport on the planet - Agility! Dominated by the herding breeds, agility demands speed, nimbleness, and drive. The GSP can exhibit all of these characteristics. Our breed was one of the few represented at the highest level in the Sport when Diane Lewis from Florida and her GSP CH MACH Vonwey's Morgen Sonnenschein CDX JH AAD JM became the first GSP ever to earn the Master Agility Championship (MACH), and the 97th dog in AKC history to earn a MACH title. As of June, 2007 there have been nine MACH GSPs in all, and three of them have attained a MACH-2 designation. GSPs have also excelled in other Agility Venues, where several have earned the equivalent championship title, and GSPs have competed at the National and World levels with modest successes.

AKC agility features "Standard" agility, where the table and contact obstacles are included, and "Jumpers With Weaves" (JWW) class, which features only tunnels, jumps, and weaves. AKC added the "Fifteen and Send Time" (FAST) class as a new game where strategy and distance work are key to success. The AKC also offers a non-titling class called "International" which mimics European agility rules. AKC has two main offerings in Standard, JWW, and FAST. "Preferred" classes allow the dog to jump 4" lower than "Regular" classes and add 5 seconds to the Standard Course Time (SCT). "Regular" classes are where MACH titles can be earned, requiring the dog to be measured against SCT jumping at their full height. GSPs generally run in the 26", 24" or 20" standard classes, so can be found in the 20" and 16" heights in "Preferred".

There are three levels of competition -- Novice, Open, and Excellent.

Novice is the starting level. At this level you can suffer one wrong course in standard, none in JWW; two refusal/runouts; two table faults in standard; and 1 point deducted for each full second over the SCT. You must score an 85 to qualify, and not exceed these other limits. Wrong courses, refusals, and table faults all deduct 5 points for each occurrence. The weave poles are present in both standard and jumpers, but refusals are not judged in the weaves - you just have to get the dog into and through the weaves to get credit for the obstacle. There are 14-16 obstacles on the course, and the layout is "easy" with few traps and difficult handling decisions.

Open is the "middle" level where courses generally follow the flow of the Excellent Level courses. You are allowed one refusal; one wrong course in standard, none in JWW; one table fault, and 2 points are deducted per full second over SCT. You must score an 85 to qualify. This level really challenges both the dog and the handler, offering numerous traps and handling challenges with 16-18 obstacles on the course. The weave poles are always present and if you miss a pole or miss the entry, you get a refusal! Many new agility handlers find this the most difficult title to achieve, as they have not yet perfected their handling style which is critical at this level. Open is where the true teamwork of handler and GSP is proven.

Excellent is the "top" level and is divided into two important divisions. The "A" division is for dogs that have not completed the AX/AXP or AXJ/AJP titles, and scores of 85 are required to finish. No refusals, no table faults, and no wrong courses are allowed, and THREE points are deducted for each second over SCT. The "B" division is for dogs with Excellent A titles, and is the only place where points towards the MACH title can be earned. The dog must score a perfect 100 to qualify. To earn the Master level titles out of the class the dog must earn 10 qualifying scores in appropriate "B" division. Excellent courses feature very challenging sequences and traps. Success at the highest level is difficult because SCT times are faster, challenges are difficult, courses have more extreme turns, and mistakes are not tolerated.

To earn the Master Agility Champion (MACH) title, the dog must earn qualifying scores in both Excellent B Standard and Jumpers with Weaves on the same day, accomplishing that feat 20 different times (this is called a double "Q"). Additionally, the dog must accumulate 750 "championship points", which is earned for every full second completed UNDER SCT. These points can be multiplied for finishes of first or second place in a class. Preferred dogs cannot earn a MACH, but can earn the Preferred Agility Excellent (PAX) title, which requires 20 QQ out of the preferred Excellent B Standard and JWW classes on the same day.

There are other venues which offer Agility besides the American Kennel Club but the GSPCA is a Member Club of the AKC, so GSPCA agility rankings and recognition are only provided for AKC titles and trials. Over the past five years the sport has continued to expand, and more and more GSPs are showing up in the Agility ring to compete and win in a sport that requires intense teamwork, training, and motivation. If you have a GSP looking for something to do, look up your local training club and see if they offer agility classes. You may find a new hobby to enjoy with your GSP!