The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for obedience.
The following regulation has been added to provide clarity for event organisers around the permission needed to hold special events.
New Regulation G6
Societies are required to apply for permission to hold Special Events. Applications should be submitted to The Kennel Club by email at least six weeks before the start of any qualifying heats for the event.
Special Events are designated as any activity-related event which cannot be included on the schedule of a normally licensed show/trial/competition due to being invitational and therefore not open to all competitors, or which are not being held at a licensed show. Where competitors qualify for a final via heats held at that and other shows/trials/competitions, special event permission must be sought for the final whether it is held in conjunction with a licensed show/trial/competition or as a separate standalone event. This would not apply where all of the heats are held at the same show/trial/competition at which the final is held.
The regulations relating to the disqualification and forfeit of awards will apply to these events.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulations have been amended to clear up confusion surrounding the change to the eligibility date for obedience competitions.
Amendment to Regulation G.23.h.
TO:
In estimating the number of awards won, all wins up to and including the seventh day before the closing date of entries shall be counted when entering for any class. Therefore, should a dog qualify out of a class within the six days before the closing date of entries, the entry must be treated as though the dog had not gained this qualification.
In estimating the number of awards won, all wins up to and including 25 days before the start of the competition shall be counted when entering for any class. For these purposes a competition shall be defined as all classes covered within the same schedule. In the event that a dog becomes eligible for the next class at a particular show, after the entry for that show has been sent, it is the competitor's responsibility to notify the show secretary or the show processor at least 14 days before the date of the show. The dog should then be moved into the appropriate class(es). The dog must be moved into the corresponding number of classes as were entered at the lower class. If there are fewer or no classes available for the next class the competitor should be offered a refund of the relevant entry fees. The show organiser is not required to split a class should entries exceed the maximum of 60 as a result of this notification process.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
Amendment to Regulation G.23.i.
TO:
If a competitor reports less than 14 days before competition that a dog has been entered which is ineligible for a particular class, the dog must be withdrawn from the competition in that class; no refund of entry fee(s) shall be due.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
Amendment to Regulation G.29.e.
TO:
Where the entry for Championship Class C exceeds 60, it will be reduced to 60 by a ballot based on a system of merit conducted by the Kennel Club. To calculate the merit score for the dog, points are allocated for places gained at previous shows on the following scale:-
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Open Class C 5 points 3 points 2points 1 point
- Class C20 points12 points 8 points 4 points
Crufts Obed 30 points 18 points 12 points 6 points
Points are calculated for placing between the date on which previous wins are calculated for entry to the show (i.e. seven days before the closing date for entries up to and including 25 days before the start of the competition) and the same date ONE year earlier. Competitors not having given a merit score will be considered as having none. The merit score for all competitors in Championship Class C will be on display at the show. Competitors claiming an incorrect merit score must be reported to the Kennel Club
(Deletion struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
Removal of Regulation G.34.m.
In estimating the number of awards won, all wins up to and including 25 days before the start of the competition shall be counted when entering for any class. For these purposes a competition shall be defined as all classes covered within the same schedule. In the event that a dog becomes eligible for the next class at a particular show, after the entry for that show has been sent, it is the competitor's responsibility to notify the show secretary or the show processor at least 14 days before the date of the show. The dog should then be moved into the appropriate class(es). The dog must be moved into the corresponding number of classes as were entered at the lower class. If there are fewer or no classes available for the next class the competitor should be offered a refund of the relevant entry fees. The show organiser is not required to split a class should entries exceed the maximum of 60 as a result of this notification process.
(Deletions struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation was amended to remove the requirement for the draw of the Championship Class C running orders to be undertaken by The Kennel Club. Regulation G29.e was also amended to remove a reference to this process.
Amendment to Regulation G.29.f(1)
TO:
A draw for the running order in Championship Class C must be made prior to the show. The Kennel Club will conduct the ballot for this running order and show secretaries must forward the names of the exhibitors and dogs involved, together with their merit scores, to the Kennel Club by recorded delivery, registered post or e-mail within seven working days of the closing of entries
(Deletion struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulations were amended to include the provision for progression on points from Introductory Class.
Amendment to Regulation G(A)5
TO:
Points required for progression on points are as follows:
- 10 points required for progression from Introductory.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent items to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
Amendment to Regulation G(A)9.b
TO:
To compete in the Introductory Class a handler or dog must not have won one Introductory Class gained a 1st place in any obedience class, or have achieved a 4th place or above in Pre-Beginners or in any other class and have not elected to progress on points from Introductory.
(Deletion struck through. Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)