The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for Rally.
The below regulations have been amended to allow for the introduction of a Veteran Class for dogs of 7 years of age and over, extending the career of rally dogs and keeping them mentally and physically active.
Amendment to Regulation S2.b. Eligibility
TO:
Only dogs of six calendar months of age and over on the first day of the competition are eligible to take part in Level 1, 2, or 3 classes. Only dogs of 12 calendar months of age and over on the first day of the competition are eligible to take part in Level 4 or higher classes or special classes which incorporate jumps or similar exercises. Only dogs of 7 years of age and over on the first day of the competition are eligible to take part in the Veteran class.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation S16.c. Facilities and Equipment
TO:
Judging rings shall not in any circumstances contain less than 100 sqm of clear floor space and shall not be less than 8 metres in length except that for Veteran classes, Level 3 and above the ring must contain not less than 150 sqm. Rings must be clearly defined and have a suitable, level surface.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation S20. Judging
TO:
- Before judging Level 6 a judge must have carried out two appointments at Level 5.
- Before judging a Veteran class, a judge must be qualified to judge Level 4.
- Before judging a Special class, a judge must be qualified to judge at least Level 1.
- Judges must ensure that they have scribed at every level they intend to judge.
(Insertions in bold)
(Subsequent regulations to be re-numbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation S(A)2. Levels
TO:
S(A)2. Veteran
Rally handler/dog teams where the dog is 7 years of age or older may compete in Veteran as well as, or instead of, their lowest eligible class.
Veteran has a qualifying score of 175 out of 200.
A qualifying score of 190 or above equates to an excellent score.
(Insertions in bold)
(Subsequent regulations to be re-numbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation S(A)2 3. Eligibility
TO:
- Standard Level Classes
When entered for a competition in a standard level class, a dog must be entered at the level for which it is eligible. The dog may also, if desired, be entered in up to two additional classes including one further standard level class at the subsequent higher level. , one additional special class, or two additional special classes. A dog may be entered in special classes only, up to a maximum of 3 classes. Special classes do not count towards progression. Once a dog has earned any level or excellent title, it is no longer eligible for any lower level. - Veteran classes
A dog which is 7 years old or over on the first day of the competition may be entered in just a Veteran class. It may also be entered in standard level classes and special classes to a maximum of 3 classes in total.
- Special classes
A dog may be entered in special classes only, up to a maximum of 3 classes in total. Special classes do not count towards progression.
Level 1
- Open to dogs which have not achieved a Level 1 or Level 1 Excellent title.
Level 2
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 1 or Level 1 Excellent title, except those that have achieved a Level 2 or Level 2 Excellent title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 1 may also enter at this level.
Level 3
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 2 or Level 2 Excellent title, except those that have achieved a Level 3 or Level 3 Excellent title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 2 may also enter at this level.
Level 4
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 3 or Level 3 Excellent title, except those that have achieved a Level 4 or Level 4 Excellent title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 3 may also enter at this level
Level 5
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 4 or Level 4 Excellent title, except those that have achieved a Level 5 or Level 5 Excellent title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 4 may also enter at this level.
Level 6
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 5 or Level 5 Excellent title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 5 may also enter at this level.
Veteran
- Open to all dogs aged 7 years or over on the first day of the competition.
(Insertions in bold, deletions struck through)
(Subsequent regulations to be re-numbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation S(B)1.g. Performance
TO:
Courses for Levels 1 and 2 are performed on lead, with the exception of Bonus Exercises 4 and 5. Levels 3 and above, and Veteran, are performed off lead, regardless of the Bonus Exercise used.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
New Regulation S(B)2.g. Course Design
TO:
- Veteran
(1) There should be a minimum of ten and a maximum of fifteen exercises, with between two and eight static positions.
(2) The exercises and bonus exercise may be taken from any level.
(3) The round must not contain more than two down positions.
(4) No exercise or set of linked exercises should require more than three changes of position. (For linked exercises, the judge may assume that all competitors will choose to perform the linked static position only once).
(5) There should be no more than two cone/distraction exercises in total.
(6) There should be no more than one backup/heelback exercise, including the bonus.
(7) There should be no more than one jump exercise. If a jump exercise is used the jump height is to be reduced by 10cm for all dogs. Dogs jumping the lowest height will have the pole laid on the ground.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been amended to improve the way dogs jumped.
Amendment to Regulation S16.h
TO:
All jumps must be constructed in a manner that provides stability and safety for all dogs. Pole width is to be between 1.2 metre and 1.5 metres. It must be a single bar jump which is able to fall in either direction. The jump must not have wings.
(Deletion struck through)
(Effective January 2024)
The following regulation has been amended to take into account the availability of the online seminar and examination from January 2024 onwards.
Amendment to Regulation S20.b.(3)
TO:
Have attended completed a Kennel Club Rally Regulations and Judging Procedure Seminar and passed the Regulations and Judging Procedure examination.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(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 S21.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 Rally Regulation S20. In addition, you will familiarise yourself with the Kennel Club S 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. Deletions struck through.)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation amendment has been made to clarify that it is expected for the dog to be kept on a lead and for the lead to be held in the handler’s hands. If competitors need to hold their leads in a different way because of a disability, they are required to submit an EMR form to request this.
Amendment to Regulation S22.c.
TO:
All dogs must enter and leave the judging ring on lead. When in use, one end of the lead must be attached to a ring on the dog’s collar and the other should be held in the handler’s hand(s), except for when performing Bonus Exercises 4 or 5 where the handler has chosen for their dog to drag the lead.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 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 S30
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 following amendment has been made to correct the regulation.
Amendment to Regulation S(B)2. Course Design
TO:
The following guidelines must be observed by judges when designing courses.
The layout of the course depends partly on the positioning of doors and fittings which should be considered when planning. A judge must be familiar with the venue surface before planning any jumping exercises for Levels 3 4-6.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation amendment has been made to promote variety and avoid predictability, particularly in the lower levels.
Amendment to Regulation S(B)2.(2)
TO:
COURSE DESIGN
(2) Once used, an exercise should not be repeated, with the exception of the right turn, and left turns, 270 degree right turn, 270 degree left turn and normal pace.
- Level 2
(3) There should be a ratio of one third Level 2 exercises to two thirds Level 1 exercises. four or five exercises from Level 2 with the remainder from Level 1.
- Level 3
(2) There should be a ratio of one third Level 3 exercises to two-thirds Level 1 exercises. four or five exercises from Level 3 with the remainder from Levels 1 and 2.
(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The below regulation has been corrected to reference the “Stop Sit” and “Stop Sit Down” exercises which had been missed during the 2019 review, and to include the Veteran class.
Amendment to Regulation S(B)3.a. Ring Management
TO:
- Sign placement
Signs must be placed so that they are on the handler’s right with the following exceptions:
(1) Turns and pivots may should be placed directly in the handler’s path.
(2) Side Step Right should be placed in the handler’s path.
(3) Figure 8, distraction exercises, Spiral Left and Serpentine signs are placed so that they are on the handler’s left.
(4) For all two-sign exercises, the signs will be placed 2-3 metres apart unless otherwise stated.
(5) When stops and pivots are combined, it may be necessary to place a sign so that it is on the handler’s left. Judges shall make handlers aware of this during the judge’s briefing.
(6) In some circumstances due to space constrains or safety issues a sign may be placed in a position other than the handler’s right. The judge shall make handlers aware of this during their briefing.
(5) All jumps should be positioned approximately 4 metres ahead of the exercise sign. The distance from the jump to the next exercise sign should be approximately 4 metres from the jump pole (a total of 8 metres). When a jump exercise requires a handler to take a path off set to the jump, the lateral measurement should be 1.5 metres taken from the base of the inner edge of the nearest jump upright.
(6) Sometimes it is not possible for exercise signs to be placed in their usual position. The judge will make handlers aware of the new placement during the judge’s briefing. This may be due to space constraints, safety issues, the combination of a series of Linked Exercises or other exceptional circumstances.
(Insertion in bold, deletions struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
Amendment to Regulation S(B)3.b Ring Management
TO:
3.b. Linked exercises
Linked Exercises are designed to share a static element (e.g. Stop Sit and Stop Sit Down). The dog/handler team may choose to perform the second sign separately. Linked exercises may not be used in Levels 1 and 2. At Level 3 and Veteran class, no more than 2 exercises may be linked at a time. At Level 4 and above, more than two exercises may be linked.
(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2024)
The following regulation has been deleted in the interests of consistency.
Removal of Regulation S(B)5.f.
TO:
In Levels 1 and 2 when an exercise requires more than one sign to complete, each exercise sign should be listed on the Judge’s score sheet. Each sign should be scored separately. In Level 3 and above where an exercise requires multiple signs, this is scored as 1 exercise on the judges score sheet.
(Deletion struck through)
(Subsequent paragraph to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2024)