The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for working trials.
The following regulation has been added to provide clarity for event organisers around the permission needed to hold special events.
New Regulation I6
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 regulation has been amended with the intention of simplifying the current system, and of providing clarity. It was anticipated that it would assist societies in appointing suitably-qualified judges.
Amendment to Regulation I25.d.
TO:
- Societies must be satisfied that the following minimum conditions have been met for the first appointment of judges for C.D., U.D. and W.D. stakes at a championship working trial:
(1) For C.D. Stake—Must, as a minimum, have judged all groups in at least two open working trials a C.D open or U.D. open trial or above, and have as a handler qualified a dog C.D. ‘Excellent’ in a Championship C.D. Stake or higher stake above.
(2) For U.D. Stake – Must, as a minimum, have judged all groups in U.D., W.D., P.D. or T.D. stakes at two Open Working Trials a U.D. open trial or above, have judged C.D. stake at a championship working trial, and have as a handler qualified a dog U.D. ‘Excellent’ in a Championship U.D. stake or above.
(Insertions in bold. Deletions struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation has been amended to regularise a long-standing and unwritten understanding that competitors should not watch the nosework test in which they are competing, prior to working their own dog.
Amendment to Regulation I(B)1 Method of Handling
TO:
- Method of handling.—Although implicit obedience is necessary, dogs and handlers must operate in as free and natural a manner as possible; persistent barking, whining, etc. in any exercise other than location of person or speak on command should be penalised. The handler must not have food or a toy on their person whilst the dog is being tested. As far as reasonably practical, competitors should not watch any dog working the nosework in the same stake, prior to competing.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation was amended with the objective of reducing the risk of injury and allow for consistency in the construction of the clear jump used at trials.
Amendment to Regulation I(B)10.(b)
TO:
The Clear Jump should must be so constructed that it will be obvious if the dog has exerted more than slight pressure upon it. All poles or bars must be easily displaced by the dog. The rigid top bar may be fixed or rest in cups and the space below may be filled in but the filling should not project above the bottom of the top bar. There must be a further removable pole or bar approximately halfway below. No further pole or bar is required if the jump is lower than 3ft. Appreciable pressure exerted by the dog on the clear jump shall be considered to be a failure.
(Insertions in bold. Deletions struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulations were amended in the interest of dogs’ welfare following the results of research carried out via the Activities Health and Welfare Sub-Group.
Amendment to Regulation I(B)10.g
TO:
- Jumping heights and lengths:
(2) CD and UD stakes:
(b) Long Jump—
Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 1.219m (4ft)
Dogs not exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.828m (6ft)
Dogs exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 2.743m (9ft) 2.438m (8ft)
(3) WD, TD and PD stakes:
(b) Long Jump 2.743m (9ft) 2.438m (8ft)
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
Amendment to Regulation I(B)10.g
TO:
- Jumping heights and lengths:
(2) CD and UD stakes:
(c) Scale—
Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 914.4mm (3ft)
Dogs not exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.219m (4ft)
Dogs exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.828m (6ft) 1.677m (5ft 6in)
(3) WD, TD and PD stakes:
(c) Scale 1.828m (6ft) 1.677m (5ft 6in)
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)