What is MACH title in agility?
Joan Lawson

To gain the title MACH (Master agility Champion) in the USA the dog must be running in the excellent level of classes which is the third level of agility here in the states. The first level is novice and the second level is called open. The dog and handler must get three legs at each level before moving up a level. We have a standard class and a jumpers with weaves class at all of these levels.Once the dog has his titles in the excellent level (AX...agility excellent, and AXJ...agility excellent jumpers) the dog and handler move into excellent level "B" (level A is for dogs and handlers going for their AX and AXJ). The dog and handler can make NO mistakes in level B to qualify. If you qualify 10 times in excellent standard you have earned your MX (master excellent title) and if you qualify 10 times in excellent jumpers with weaves you have earned your MXJ (master excellent jumpers title). To gain your MACH title, you must qualify in BOTH excellent standard B AND excellent jumpers with weaves B on the SAME day, to get whats called a "double Q". You need 20 double Q's for the MACH, PLUS also need 750 speed points. To earn speed points, you get a point for every second your dog is under the course time when they qualify. If the dog wins the class, you can double your amount of points earned. You don't have to qualify in both classes to collect speed points. They can come from either or both classes, you just have to qualify to get those points. So you can see that the dog must be both steady AND fast to earn their MACH. I know of dogs that have all their double Q's, but don't have enough points because the dog is slow, but steady. Then there are dogs that are VERY FAST and have lots of speed points, but have no, or very few double Q's because they are not steady enough to qualify in both classes on the same day.
The MACH is a title to be very proud of and few have earned the right to put that title on the front of their dogs name.
 
 

Joan Lawson
Riverside Canine Center
www.riversidek9.com
joan@riversidecanine.com
(603) 889-9800