The Kennel Club has recently approved the following changes to the regulations for rally which will come into effect on 1 January 2020.
The following regulations have been amended in order to address minor issues and anomalies arising from the review of the S Regulations, and to provide consistency and clarity.
New Regulation S19.h. Judging
TO:
Judges must submit course plans to the Secretary and/or the Chief Steward no later than 10 days prior to the competition date.
(Insertion in bold)
(Subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S2.b.
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 and Level 2 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 3 4 or higher classes or special classes which incorporate jumps or similar exercises.
(Insertions in bold. Deletions struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S15.a.
TO:
Facilities and Equipment .It is the competition organiser’s responsibility to provide the following:
- Information to the judge as soon as possible after the closing of entries concerning the number of entries, Exercise Modification Forms, the height of the dogs (for Level 3 4 and above), proposed ring size, and venue surface.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold.)
(Effective 1 January 2020.)
Amendment to Regulation S21.h.
TO:
Dogs must compete in a buckle or snap collar. Collars may have tags on them. Decorations and/or costumes, harnesses, slip leads, check and half-check collars are not allowed. A medicated collar may also be worn in the ring.
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(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(A)2. Eligibility
TO:
When entered for a competition in a standard 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, one further standard 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 gained any level or excellent title, it is no longer eligible for any lower level.
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(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(C) 56. SIT LEAVE DOG - RECALL OVER JUMP.
TO:
This exercise requires two signs. At the first sign (A) the handler and dog stop with the dog sitting at heel. The jump must be approximately 4 metres from sign (A). The handler cues the dog to wait then walks to the second sign (B) which is approximately 4 metres away from the opposite side of the jump. The handler turns and faces the dog and recalls the dog. The dog must come over the jump and sit in front of the handler. The handler then cues the dog to Finish either Right or Left.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(C) 66. SIT - LEAVE DOG - ANGLED RECALL OVER JUMP.
TO:
This exercise requires two signs. At the first sign (A) the handler and dog stop with the dog sitting at heel. The jump must be approximately 4 metres from sign (A). The handler cues the dog to wait then walks to the second sign (B) which is placed approximately 4 metres away from the jump and 1 metre to either the right or left of the jump. The handler turns and faces the dog and cues the dog to jump. The dog must come over the jump and sit straight in front of the handler. The handler then cues the dog to Finish either Right or Left.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(B)3.i.Bonus Exercise
TO:
The Bonus Exercise is an optional exercise. Handlers are not required to perform the Bonus Exercise, but must advise the judge at the Start Line if they wish to do so…
(Deletion struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(B)2
TO:
(2) Once used, an exercise should not be repeated, with the exception of right and left turns and normal pace.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(C) Sign17
TO:
NORMAL PACE. As the dog/handler team draw level with the sign they move forward at a normal pace that is comfortable for the dog and handler.
NB: at Levels 1 and 2 this is a separate exercise but at Level 3 or above the change in pace and return to normal pace is judged as one complete exercise.
(Deletion struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(C)59
TO:
- SEND OVER JUMP - HANDLER RUNS BY. As the handler and dog team approach the sign the handler sends the dog towards the jump which is approximately 4 metres in front of and 1.5 metres to the left of their path. The handler continues at a brisk pace along a line 1.5 metres to the right of the jump. When the dog has completed the jump, the handler calls the dog to the heel position and the dog/handler team continues to the return to their normal pace as they heel towards the next exercise approximately 4 metres ahead. If the dog is much faster than the handler, the dog may be called back to the handler without penalty. A line may be drawn on the ground to indicate the 1.5 metres mark. NB. This sign is now placed on the handler’s right, not on their left where it was previously placed.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S(B)3.a.
TO:
- Sign Placement
Signs must be placed so that they are on the handler’s right with the following exceptions:
(2) Straight figure 8, distraction exercises, Spiral Left, Serpentine, and Side Step Right and Send Over Jump signs are placed so that they are on the handler’s left.
(Deletion struck through. Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
The below regulations were amended to permit food and toy rewards in Special classes when detailed in the schedule.
Amendment to Regulation S5.b.
TO:
- Special Classes
- A competition host may in addition stage one or more special classes not conforming to the standard class tests set out in Annex C. Such classes must contain the word ‘Special’ in the title of the class, and shall not count towards progression, titles or awards in standard competition classes.
- Special classes may allow the use of food and/or silent toy rewards in the ring, but their use must be detailed in the schedule. Reward areas should be clearly defined and allow the use of both food and toys. Food should be carried in a sealed container and toys should be carried concealed, alternatively the reward may be left in the reward area in a sealed container.
- Where special classes allow the use of food and/or silent toys their use should not impact competitors in other rings.
- Where a ring is to be shared between a standard class and a special class which allows food and/or silent toys, the standard class must be scheduled first to ensure that the ring does not contain food.
(Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S21.f.
TO:
- Food shall not be carried or given to a dog under test, except in special classes where the use of food and/or silent toy rewards has been specified in the Schedule.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2020)
Amendment to Regulation S21.g.
TO:
- The use of a toy as an incentive in the ring between or during exercises is prohibited in all standard and special classes, except in those special classes where the use of food and/or silent toy rewards has been specified in the Schedule.
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(Effective 1 January 2020)
The below regulation has been amended in the interests of clarity, to reflect the principle that exercises should be standalone, and would not impinge on any other exercise.
Amendment to Regulation S(B)2
TO:
- All exercises stand alone (except where two exercises are linked). The positioning of exercises should be planned carefully to ensure that one does not impact on another.
- Courses should be designed so that the route between exercises does not transit other exercises. Competitors may only be required to pass through cone and distraction exercises when performing that particular exercise.
- Sometimes it may be necessary for competitors to pass a Distraction or Jump exercise - where this is unavoidable these exercises should be on the handler’s right.
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(Effective 1 January 2020)
The below regulation has been amended to provide clarity to competitors.
Amendment to Regulation S(C) Bonus Exercise 5
TO:
SIT – LEAVE DOG – TURN – RECALL – HANDLER FINISH
This exercise requires two signs. At the first sign (A) the handler and dog stop with the dog sitting at heel. The handler may take the lead off or the dog may drag the lead. The handler walks to the second sign (B), which is placed approximately 2 metres from sign A, turns and recall the dog to the front position. The dog remains in the sit whilst the handler moves left to take up the heel position. This is not a walk around exercise.
NB: If this bonus is used at Level 3 or above there is no requirement to reattach the lead before attempting the bonus exercise.
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(Effective 1 January 2020)
The below regulation has been amended to correct an inconsistency between this regulation, S(C)21 and S(C)49.
Amendment to Regulation S(B)3.a.(2) 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 be placed directly in the handler’s path.
(2) Side Step Right should be placed in the handler’s path
(2) (3) Straight Figure 8, distraction exercises, Spiral Left, and Serpentine, Side Step Right, signs are placed so that they are on the handler’s left
(Insertions in bold. Deletions struck through)
(Effective 1 January 2020)