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Training & Behaviour

Hoopers vs Agility: Which Dog Sport Suits Your Dog?

Hoopers swaps agility's jumps and weave poles for hoops, barrels and tunnels, so it is far gentler on joints. How the two sports differ, which dogs and handlers each one suits, and how to find a class in the UK.

Published 21 October 2026

A grey curly-coated dog running out of a red and white agility tunnel

Agility and hoopers look alike from the side of the ring: a dog racing round a numbered course while its handler gives directions. The difference is what is on the course. Agility has jumps, weave poles and climbing obstacles. Hoopers has hoops, barrels and tunnels, and no jumps at all. That one change makes hoopers far gentler on a dog's body, and it opens the sport up to dogs and people who would struggle with agility.

The Differences at a Glance

Agility Hoopers
Obstacles Jumps, tunnels, weave poles, tyre, long jump, A-frame, dog walk, seesaw Hoops, barrels and tunnels
Jumping Yes, at a height set by the dog's size None
Impact on joints Higher: take-offs, landings and tight turns Lower: a flowing course on the ground
Main UK organisations Royal Kennel Club, plus independent leagues Canine Hoopers UK, UK Hoopers, BK9
Minimum age to compete 18 months at Royal Kennel Club shows Set by each organisation

Who Agility Suits

Agility suits fit, healthy, physically mature dogs that love to run and jump, and handlers who enjoy running a course with them. It is fast, demanding and very rewarding, and the Royal Kennel Club runs licensed shows across the country, from small local events to qualifiers for Crufts. If your dog is young and sound and you want a sport you can grow into for years, agility is hard to beat.

It is less suitable for dogs with joint or back problems, dogs that are very heavy, and older dogs starting out late. Our guide to starting agility covers how to find a club and what the first sessions are like.

Who Hoopers Suits

Canine Hoopers UK describes hoopers as a fun, fast, low-impact sport, and says it aims to make it accessible to all dogs and handlers, in particular large and tiny breeds and dogs that need a little extra space. In practice, it is often the better choice for:

  • older dogs, including dogs retired from agility
  • large and giant breeds, for whom repeated jumping is hard work
  • very small dogs
  • dogs with joint problems, with your vet's agreement
  • young dogs, as a gentler introduction to course work
  • handlers who cannot run, or who would rather not

Progress in Canine Hoopers UK competitions is based on consistency rather than on winning individual classes, which makes it friendly for newcomers.

Can You Do Both?

Yes, and plenty of people do. The skills overlap: focus, steering your dog from a distance, and reading a course all carry across. Some agility handlers use hoopers to keep an older dog active once it has retired from jumping, and some start a young dog in hoopers before it is old enough for agility equipment. Our guide to what age a puppy can start agility explains why the wait matters.

Finding a Class

  • Agility: our directory of UK agility clubs lists more than 350 clubs with checked links, and you can sort it by distance from your postcode. Some agility clubs run hoopers sessions too, so it is worth asking.
  • Hoopers: Canine Hoopers UK has a find an instructor search, and its show diary lists competitions.

Sources

Checked on 6 October 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between hoopers and agility?

Agility courses include jumps, weave poles and contact obstacles like the A-frame and seesaw. Hoopers courses use hoops, barrels and tunnels, with no jumps, so the dog runs a flowing course without the impact of take-offs and landings.

Is hoopers good for older dogs?

It is often a good fit. Canine Hoopers UK describes it as a low-impact sport and sets out to make it accessible to all dogs, so it suits many older dogs, very large or very small breeds, and dogs that cannot jump. Ask your vet if your dog has a joint or back condition.

Can I do hoopers if I can't run?

Yes. Hoopers is designed to be accessible to handlers as well as dogs, and many people take it up because they cannot run around an agility course.

Who runs hoopers competitions in the UK?

Hoopers is run by its own organisations, such as Canine Hoopers UK, which was formed in 2017, UK Hoopers and BK9. Each has its own rules and show diary.

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