Changes to Working Trials regulations 2024

Published on 11 January 2023 at 10:19am

The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for working trials.

The below regulation has been amended to allow for younger dogs to compete in special stakes which do not include the long jump, clear jump and scale.

Amendment to Regulation I1.c.

TO:

Dogs under 18 calendar months of age on the closing date are ineligible for competition at Kennel Club licensed working trials except that dogs of 6 calendar months of age on the closing date of the trial may be entered for Special Stakes, which do not include the long jump, clear jump and scale. Bloodhounds may be entered for Bloodhound Trials at 12 calendar months on the first day of the trial.

(Insertions 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 I20

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 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 I28.a.

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 Working Trial Regulation I26. In addition, you will familiarise yourself with the Kennel Club I 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 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.’

(Insertion in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The below regulations have been amended due to the removal of the ‘steadiness to gunshot’ exercise and the requirement to reallocate the marks from that exercise.

The marks for UD and WD the exercise has been replaced with ‘speak on command’ whereas the TD and PD marks have been reallocated to the ‘Heel Free’ exercise, adding a requirement to perform a ‘Down on the Move’ during it, with 5 marks allocated to each section.

Amendment to Regulations I(A)9.b-d

TO:

b. UTILITY DOG (UD) STAKE

	Maximum marks	Group total	Minimum Group Qualifying mark
Group I. Control
1. Heel free	5
2. Sending the dog away	10
3. Retrieve a dumb-bell	5
4. Down (10 minutes)	10
5. Steadiness to gunshot Speak on command	5	35	25

c. WORKING DOG (WD) STAKE

	Maximum marks	Group total	Minimum Group Qualifying mark
Group I. Control
1. Heel free	5
2. Sending the dog away	10
3. Retrieve a dumb-bell	5
4. Down (10 minutes)	10
5. Steadiness to gunshot Speak on command	5	35	25

d. TRACKING DOG (TD) STAKE

	Maximum marks	Group total	Minimum Group Qualifying mark
Group I. Control
1. Heel free (5) Down on the move (5)	510
2. Send away and directional control	10
3. Speak on command	5
4. Down (10 minutes)	10
5. Steadiness to gunshot	5	35	25

e. PATROL DOG (PD) STAKE

	Maximum marks	Group total	Minimum Group Qualifying mark
Group I. Control
1. Heel free (5) Down on the move (5)	510
2. Send away and directional control	10
3. Speak on command	5
4. Down (10 minutes)	10
5. Steadiness to gunshot	5	35	25

Amendment to Regulation I(B)2

TO:

The judge should test the ability of the dog to keep its shoulder reasonably close to the left knee of the handler who should walk smartly in a natural manner at normal, fast and slow paces through turns and among and around persons and obstacles. The halt, with the dog sitting to heel and a ‘figure of eight’ may be included at any stage. Extra commands shall be permitted in the Introductory and CD Stake.

Any act, signal or command or jerking of the lead which in the opinion of the Judge has given the dog unfair assistance shall be penalised. Extra commands shall be permitted in the introductory stake.

Where required the lead should must be attached to a close fitting smooth collar. Retractable leads or head collars are not to be used.

In TD and PD Stakes, at some time during the test, while working at normal pace, the dog shall be required to be left in the down position when directed by the judge. The handler shall continue forward alone, without hesitation, and proceed as directed by the judge until upon reaching the dog, both shall continue forward together in accordance with the instructions given.

(Insertion in bold. Deletion struck through)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

Amendment to Regulation I(B)9. Speak on Command

TO:

The judge will control the position of the handler in relation to the dog and may require the handler to work the dog walking at heel. If the dog is not required to walk at heel, the handler may place the dog in the stand, sit or down. The dog will be ordered to ‘speak’ and cease ‘speaking’ on the instruction of the judge or steward who may instruct the handler to make the dog ‘speak’ again. “Speaking” should be sustained by the dog whilst required with the minimum of commands and/or signals. Continuous and / or excessive incitements to “speak” must be heavily penalised. This test must not be incorporated with any other test.

In TD and PD, the number of barks is at the judge’s discretion and after the cease ‘speaking’ the handler may be instructed to make the dog speak again. ‘Speaking’ should be sustained by the dog with the minimum of commands and/or signals. Continuous and/or excessive incitements to ‘speak’ must be heavily penalised. This test must not be incorporated with any other test.

The judge will control the position of the handler in relation to the dog. In UD Stake and WD Stake, this position should be near and in sight of the dog. The dog may be in the stand, sit or down.

In TD and PD, the handler may be required to work the dog walking at heel. If the dog is not required to walk at heel, the handler may place the dog in the stand, sit or down.

In UD the number of barks should be 5, in WD the number of barks should be 10.

(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The below regulation has been amended to make it part of the progression of the stay exercises, accurately reflecting the way in which it is usually conducted.

Regulation I(B)3

TO:

SIT Introductory – 1 minute CD – 2 minutes In sight

Dogs may be tested individually or in a group or groups. The Judge or Steward will give the command 'Last Command' and handlers should then instantly give their final commands to the dogs. Any further commands or signals will be penalised. Handlers will then be instructed to leave their dogs and proceed to positions indicated by the Judge or Steward until ordered to return to them. In the Introductory Stake, these positions should be in in sight, but in the CD stake, where possible, such positions should be out of sight for the dogs but bearing in mind the short duration of the exercise this may not be practical. Dogs must remain in the sit position throughout the test until the Judge or Steward indicates that the test has finished. Minor movements may be penalised. The judge however may use discretion should interference by another dog cause a dog to move.

(Insertion in bold. Deletion struck through)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The below regulation has been amended to remove the option for judges to distract dogs during the stay by using their names.

Amendment to Regulation I(B)5

TO:

Down (Introductory and CD stake 5 minutes. Other stakes 10 minutes). ̶

Handlers must be out of sight of the dogs who may be tested individually or in a group or groups. The judge or steward will give the command ‘last command’ and handlers should then instantly give their final commands to their dogs. Any further commands or signals to the dogs will be penalised. Handlers will then be instructed to leave their dogs and proceed to positions indicated by the judge or steward until ordered to return to them. Dogs must remain in the ‘down’ position throughout the test until the judge or steward indicates that the test has finished. Minor movements may be penalised. No dog will be awarded any marks that sits, stands or crawls more than its approximate body length in any direction. The judge however may use discretion should interference by another dog cause the dog to move. The judge may test the dogs by using distractions but may not call them by name.

(Deletion struck through)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The below regulations have been amended to allow for extra commands in CD heel work, retrieve and recall, providing a positive experience for a beginner dog and encouraging new handlers.

Amendment to Regulation I(B)2

TO:

(Insertion in bold. Deletion struck through)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

Amendment to Regulation I(B)5

TO:

Recall to handler – The dog should be recalled from the ‘down’ or ‘sit’ position. The handler being a reasonable distance from the dog at the discretion of the judge. The dog should return at a smart pace and sit in front of the handler, afterwards going smartly to heel on command or signal. Handler to await command of the judge or steward. Extra commands shall be permitted in the introductory and CD stakes.

(Insertion in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

Amendment to Regulation I(B)6

TO:

Retrieve a dumb-bell

The dog should not move forward to retrieve nor deliver to hand on return until ordered by the handler on the judge or stewards’ instructions. The retrieve should be executed at a smart pace without mouthing or playing with the dumb-bell and the dog should sit in front of the handler. After delivery, the handler will send the dog to heel on the instruction of the Judge or Steward. Extra commands shall be permitted in the Introductory and CD Stakes.

(Insertion in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The below regulation has been amended to remove the provision for judges to use distractions to test dogs during the down stay exercise.

Amendment to Regulation I(B)4

TO:

Down (Introductory and CD stake 5 minutes. Other stakes 10 minutes). ̶

(Deletion struck through)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The below regulation has been amended to allow for the UD track length to be shorter.

Amendment to Regulation I(B)12

TO:

I(B)12. Track.—The descriptions below should be followed for the track:

b. The track shall be a single line and may include turns. It shall be approximately 800m 0.8046km (half a mile) long and should be laid as far as possible by a stranger to the dog. In UD, it shall be a minimum of 550 metres long. The article(s) must be well handled and be placed, not dropped or buried on the track.

c. There shall be a marker left by the track layer to indicate the start of the track which must be far enough from the search square to allow the square to be worked without interfering with the track. The track layer will indicate to the competitor the line he took to the pole. There shall be no back track. In the U.D. stake a second marker should be left not more than approx. 30m 27.432m (30 yds) from the start to indicate the direction of the first leg.

(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

The following regulations have been amended to standardise the measurements used within the regulations to avoid confusion.

Amendment to Regulation I(B)7.

TO:

Send away and directional control.—The minimum distance that the judge shall set for the send away shall be 20m 18.288m (20 yds) for the Introductory stake and the CD stake and 50m 45.72m (50 yds) for all other stakes. In the Introductory stake the maximum distance that the judge shall set for the send away shall be 50m 45.72m (50 yds). The TD and PD stakes shall also include change of direction or directions of a minimum of 50m 45.72m (50 yds). When the dog has reached the designated point or the judge is satisfied that after a reasonable time the handler cannot improve the position of the dog by any further commands the dog should be stopped in either the stand, sit or down position at the discretion of the handler. At this point in the TD or PD stakes the judge or steward will instruct the handler to redirect the dog. In all stakes, whilst the judge should take into account the number of commands used during the exercise, importance should be placed upon the handler’s ability to direct the dog to the place indicated.

(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

Amendment to Regulation I(B)10.

TO:

Agility.—the descriptions below should be followed for agility:

a. No part of the clear, long jump or scale equipment to be traversed by the dog shall be less than 914mm 4mm (3ft) wide nor be in any way injurious to the dog. The test must commence with the clear jump and then be followed in any sequence of the long jump and scale. Handlers should not be prevented from pacing or stepping out the position from which to send their dogs over the clear, long or scale jump provided this does not cause unnecessary delay.

b. The Clear Jump 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. 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 914mm 3ft. Appreciable pressure exerted by the dog on the clear jump shall be considered to be a failure.

c. The construction of the Long Jump shall be as follows: The front element to be a minimum of 914mm 914.4mm (3ft) wide graduating over 5 elements. (The largest of which is removed for dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder the largest two of which are removed for dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder) to a back element of a minimum width of 1m 1.117m (3ft 8ins). The front edge of the front element to be 102mm 101.6mm (4ins) high rising to 178mm 177.8mm (7ins) at the back edge. Each element thereafter graduating in height by 25mm 25.4mm (1in) – the back of the last element being 280mm 279.4mm (11ins) high. The minimum width (front to back) of each element to be at least 152mm 152.4mm (6ins) and clearly visible to the dog.

e. The scale should be a vertical wall of wooden planks which must be grooved, or chamfered along their bottom edge, to assist the dog. Slats are not permitted. The top surface of the scale may be slightly padded. The handler and dog must approach the face of the scale at a walking pace with the dog at heel. At the handler’s discretion and in his own time whilst the dog and handler are in a stationary position and the dog’s front feet are within the clearly defined 2.74m 2.743m (9ft) marker(s) the dog should be ordered to scale.

g. Jumping heights and lengths:

(1) Introductory stake:

(a) Clear Jump—

Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 380mm 381mm

(1ft 3ins)

Dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 457mm 457.2mm (1ft 6ins)

Dogs exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 760mm 762mm (2ft 6ins)

(b) Long Jump—

Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 990mm 990.6mm (3ft 3ins)

Dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.524m (5ft)

Dogs exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.830m 1.828m (6ft)

Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 760mm 762mm (2ft 6ins)

Dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 990mm 990.6mm (3ft 3ins)

Dogs exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.524m (5ft)

(2) CD and UD stakes:

(a) Clear Jump—

Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 457mm 457.2mm (1ft 6ins)

Dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 610mm 609.6mm (2ft)

Dogs exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 914mm 914.4mm (3ft)

(b) Long Jump—

Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 1.090m 1.092m (3ft 7in)

Dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.625m (5ft 4in)

Dogs exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 2.438m (8ft)

Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 0.838m (2ft 9in)

Dogs not exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.14m 219m (3ft 9in)

Dogs exceeding 380mm 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.676m 1.677m (5ft 6in)

(3) WD, TD and PD stakes:

(a) Clear Jump 914mm 914.4mm (3ft)

(b) Long Jump 2.438m (8ft)

(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

Amendment to Regulation I(B)11.

TO:

Search.—The Introductory Stake Search shall contain 4 articles of which only 3 are to be recovered. The Companion Dog (CD) Stake Search shall contain 3 articles and all other stakes shall contain 4. In all stakes fresh articles must be placed for each dog which must recover a minimum of 2 to qualify. The judge must choose track and search articles suitable to the nature of the ground and stake being judged and which are unlikely to be in any way injurious to the dog. The time allotted shall be 4 minutes in the Introductory stake and the CD stake and 5 minutes in all other stakes. The articles must be well handled and placed, not dropped, or buried, by a steward who shall foil the ground by walking in varying directions over the area. An area of ground which has had a search laid over it must not have another search laid over it until the following day.

The Introductory Stake and the CD stake search area shall be approx. 14m 13.761m square (15 yards square), all other stakes being approx. 23m 22.86m square (25 yards square) and shall be clearly defined by a marker peg at each corner. The handler may work his dog from any position outside the area, but must not enter it. In the Introductory Stake and the CD stake a maximum 5 marks should be allotted for each article and a maximum 5 marks for style and control. In all other stakes a maximum 7 marks should be allotted for each article and a maximum 7 marks for style and control.

(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)

Amendment to Regulation I(B)15.

TO:

I(B)15. Search and Escort.—The ‘protected steward’ will be searched by the handler with the dog off the lead at the sit, stand or down. The judge will assess whether the dog is well placed tactically and ready to defend if called to do so. The handler will be told to escort the ‘protected steward’ at least 30m 27.432m (30 yds) in a given direction, he will give at least one turn on the direction of the judge. During the exercise the ‘protected steward’ will turn and attempt to overpower the handler. The dog may defend spontaneously or on command and must release the ‘protected steward’ at once when the handler calls him off.

(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)

(Effective 1 January 2024)