The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for agility.
The below regulation has been amended to make it clear that a bitch in season may attend the show at which it is competing in quarter finals, semi-finals and finals of Kennel Club Prestige Events (excluding events held under YKC rules).
Amendment to Regulation H13 Removal of Dogs
TO:
Following discussion between the show management and/or a veterinary surgeon, a dog shall be prevented from competing and/or removed from an agility show if it is:
- A bitch which is in season (apart from dogs attending the show to compete competing in quarter finals, semi-finals and finals of Kennel Club Prestige Events, other than events held under YKC rules).
(Insertion in bold. Deletion struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been introduced to emphasise that it is the judge that is responsible for the course and any deliberate change to a course by a competitor would be penalised.
New Regulation H.14
TO:
Removal of competitors
No equipment shall be moved without permission of the judge. Any concerns regarding the course shall be discussed with the judge/show management. Any unauthorised movement of equipment may result in removal of the competitor from the show. All such removals should be reported to The Kennel Club in the Incident Book.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been amended to ensure judges are reminded that they must be up to date with the relevant regulations at the date of the appointment.
Amendment to Regulation H17.b
TO:
‘In accepting this invitation you agree to be bound by Kennel Club Rules and Regulations and the Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for Judges, and confirm that you are qualified to judge in accordance with Agility Regulation H18. In addition, you will familiarise yourself with the Kennel Club H Regulations which are current at the date of the judging appointment. In doing so you also recognise that you are obliged to notify us in writing of any change in personal circumstances which will may affect your ability to fulfil this judging appointment.
You should note that we reserve the right to cancel the contract before the date of the appointment if there is such a change in your circumstances, which in our reasonable opinion would adversely affect your ability to fulfil the appointment. Clubs may cancel a judging appointment where there is clear evidence that the judge's ability to fulfil the appointment has been adversely affected, or in consultation with the judge.’
(Insertions in bold. Deletion struck through.)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulations have been amended to allow a dog owned or part-owned by a judge to be entered at a show at which the judge is judging, provided it is not entered into the classes the judge is judging.
Amendment to Regulation H19.e
TO:
Judges at an agility show may not judge enter for competition a dog which is recorded in their ownership or part ownership; or handle a dog at the show/competition at which they are judging.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold.)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation H27.a.(7)
TO:
Disqualification and forfeit of awards
A dog may be disqualified by the Board from any award whether an objection has been lodged or not, if proved amongst other things to have been;
(7): Judged by their registered owner or Entered for competition or handled in the ring by a judge at that competition. This shall not apply to dogs owned by a judge appointed in an emergency.
(Deletion struck through. Insertions in bold.)
(Effective dated 1 January 2024)
The following wording has been added to the ‘Penalties’ regulation to allow for The Kennel Club to address unacceptable behaviour at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media (in the context of licensed events). Further information can be found in the November 2023 issue of The Kennel Club Journal.
Amendment to Regulation H28
TO:
For complaints of conduct whether at a licensed event or on social media, in addition to a warning issued - a short term fixed period of refusal of entry/attendance at Kennel Club licensed events may also be imposed in accordance with procedures to be published from time to time to implement this regulation.
(Insertion in bold.)
(Effective 1 November 2023)
The below regulations have been created with the objective of improving safety.
New Regulation H(1)10.b.
TO:
The minimum space between adjacent rings marked only with single ropes is 5m. Where the distance is less than 5m at least one ring must have a visible barrier (such as netting). Entrances and exits from different rings should not be opposite each other to avoid congestion in these areas.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
New Regulation H(1)10.c.
TO:
No dogs' crates or boxes should be left near or between rings. Societies may, if they wish, designate areas where dogs’ crates and boxes may be left in the vicinity of the rings.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
New Regulation H(1)10.h.
TO:
The handler must set their dog up to start within the ring. Dog and handler must enter the ring together and under no circumstances may a dog be left outside the ring off lead and recalled or sent to the handler in the ring.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
New Regulation H(1)(B)1.a.(4)
TO:
The first and last obstacles must be set a minimum of 5m from the edge of the ring, measured along the dog’s most likely path when taking the obstacle, taking into account the dog’s likely path from obstacle 1 to obstacle 2.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been amended to provide consistency with regulation H(1)(D)2. in relation to capped classes at limited shows and will allow show organisers to limit the number of entries into special classes at limited shows without being subject to the minimum cap of 250.
Amendment to Regulation H(1)(A)12. Capped Classes
TO:
- Organisers of open agility shows and limited agility shows may set a capping level on the entries to be accepted in any standard or special class, and may decline entries received after the capping level has been reached.
- Organisers of limited agility shows may set a capping level on the entries to be accepted in any standard class, and may decline entries received after the capping level has been reached. Entries into special classes may be limited to any number (Regulation H(1)(D)2 refers).
- b. c. Wins and places in standard classes capped in accordance with this regulation will count towards progression, points progression and agility warrant points.
- c. d. The capping level must be set at a minimum of 250 entries received. There is no maximum level at which a cap may be set. Capped classes may be split into two or more parts in accordance with Regulation H(1)9.f.
(Deletion struck through. Insertions in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been amended to support the introduction of a revised design for the Hoop (Tyre).
Amendment to Regulation H(1)(B)3.e
TO:
Regulation H(1)(B)3.e.
TO:
- Hoop-(Tyre)
Aperture diameter 533mm minimum. Aperture centre from the ground: Large Dogs – 800mm. Intermediate Dogs – 650mm. Medium Dogs – 550mm. Small Dogs – 490mm. The hoop to be of a consistent shape, constructed of an impact-absorbing material. All tyres should have bands diagonally opposite each other in contrast to its basic colour or segments in contrasting colours. The tyre/hoop must be directly mounted in a substantial frame structure which must be secured in such a way that dogs cannot knock the obstacle over from either direction; the frame shall not have a beam across the top.
All tyres must have easily displaced element(s). For saloon style tyres, both opening sides must have an ability to swing open to 90-140 degrees from the closed hoop position. They must not self-return and must be manually re-set.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been amended to remove the requirement for judges to mark the ‘up contact’ of the ‘A’ Frame and dog walk. The wording was changed from what was proposed at the Agility Liaison Council meeting in July 2023 and to what is stated on the Agility Liaison Council agenda for January 2024.
It is now not required for dogs to make contact with the up contact area of the dog walk or A Frame, however, they must still touch the ascending ramp. A straight approach to the obstacle is still required. The Code of Best Practice for Judges and Guide to Agility Equipment document details the refusal planes for the obstacles.
Amendment to Regulation H(1)(B)5.a.(18)
TO:
Contact areas
Contact area—5 faults for each failure to make contact.
‘A’ Frame and dog walk: the dog must touch the ascending ramp. Failure to do so - elimination. The dog must touch the down contact with at least one paw or part of a paw. Failure to do so – 5 faults. The dog is considered to have left the obstacle when all four paws are on the ground.
See-saw: the dog must touch both the up and down contacts with at least one paw or part of a paw. Failure to do so – 5 faults each time it occurs.
The dog is considered to have left the obstacle when all four paws are on the ground.
(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)