Introduction to subject and authors

Subject

Agility is a relatively recent sport. The obstacles were developed in a time, when the dogs did not complete the course yet so fast. The obstacles remained alike, but the sport became much faster. The load on the dog therefore also increased, thus also a larger possibility on injuries. The danger of injuries can occur only if the dog is exposed to an overload on one or more body parts (body structures). It is clear that in the Agility the dog is exposed to a increased load (in comparison with a family dog) on structures of the body. But when is the dog exposed to an overload of the structures??

Until 1995 there hadn‘t been any research concerning the load on the dog in the Agility, or even the load, which increases the danger of injury. This series of articles is based on a lecture of Dr. H.C. Schamhardt, a veterinarian oriented biomechanic of the Veterinarian faculty of the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. The lecture was part of a conference on „Injuries in agility", held on the 7th of December 1995. This conference was organized by Band, the Dutch Circle of Agility Friends.

Input for the lecture were video stills of possible risky loads in the agility, shot by Aukje Swarte and Ronald Mouwen.

The information on these pages is based on the above mentioned lecture with additions from the physiotherapeutic and veterinarian formation of the authors and their experiences in agility.

Sad News

Some time ago I was informed about the tragical death, due to a traffic accident, of dr. H.C. Schamhardt on June 26 in Australia. The agility world will miss his knowledge, vision and initiative regarding the safety for the dogs in agility sport.

On the authors

Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien. , veterinarian, agility trainer and handler

Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien. , (http://www.mouwen.ch) physiotherapist, agility trainer and handler, worldchampion 1997

Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien. , (http://www.mouwen.nl) veterinarian, agility trainer and handler

The authors welcome comments, suggestions and additions.