THE PREFERRED CLASS:

Regular or the Championship level classes was the first type of class 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 of the time for their "original height".

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 -Regular and Preferred.  

You may not enter Preferred and Regular during the same event weekend. You may switch back and forth for different events but only before the trial closing date.  Once a trial has reached the closing date then you cannot switch from regular to preferred or preferred to regular.  You may ONLY enter the correct Preferred Jump Height. Unlike the Regular 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 Regular class (and therefore the 16 inch preferred class) and it is NO LONGER eligible to run in the 20 inch PREFERRED class. You must notify the trial secretary immediately of the change and be sure that the gate board has you listed under the new jump height.

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, one (1) Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Class, one (1) Preferred FAST Class, one (1) Preferred Time 2 Beat Class per day assuming each class is offered. 

·         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, the Preferred JWW Class, the Preferred FAST 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). 

Please read more details in the AKC Regulations for Agility Trials