Sirius About Dogs Presents Canine Festival
Annual Two Days All -Breed
Obedience Run Throughs
Plan to be part of the Sirius family to celebrate on
Obedience Judges
| Obedience
Class |
Sat., June 17th
|
Sun.,
June 18th
|
| Novice
A |
TBD | TBD |
| Open A & B | TBD | TBD |
| Utility
A & B |
TBD | TBD |
| Rally |
TBD | TBD |
Obedience trials are a sport, and all participants should be guided by the principals of good sportsmanship both in and out of the ring. The purpose of obedience trials is not only to demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring, but also to emphasize the usefulness of the purebred dog as a companion to man. All contestants in a class are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same way, so that the relative quality of the various performances may be compared and scored. The basic objective of obedience trials, however, is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions. The performance of dog and handler in the ring must be accurate and correct according to these Regulations. It is also essential, however, that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment while it is working, and that a smooth and natural handler be given precedence over a handler moving with military precision and using harsh commands.
Section 2. Open B Class. The Open B class will be for dogs that have won the CD or CDX titles. A dog may continue to compete in this class after it has won the UD title. The owner or any other person may handle dogs in this class. Owners may enter more than one dog in this class, but the same person who handled each dog in the first five exercises must handle each dog in the group exercises. However, if a person has handled more than one dog in the first five exercises, he or she must provide an additional handler for each of his or her other dogs in the same group exercise. No dog may be entered in both Open A and Open B classes at any one trial.
Prior to the start of judging, the judge will decide the order of exercises to be performed in that class. This order will not be disclosed to exhibitors until it is posted at the ring, approximately 45 minutes before the start of the class. In future assignments, judges are required to alternate the six orders of exercises so that each will be used approximately the same number of times.
Section 3. Open A Exercises and Scores. The exercises and maximum score in the Open A class:
1. Heel Free and Figure Eight 40 points
2. Drop on Recall - 30 points
3. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
4. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
5. Broad Jump - 20 points
6. Long Sit - 30 points
7. Long Down - 30 points
Maximum Total Score - 200 points
Section 4. Open B Exercises and Scores. The various orders of exercises in the Open B class:
OPEN I
1. Heel Free and Figure Eight - 40 points
2. Drop on Recall - 30 points
3. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
4. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
5. Broad Jump - 20 points
6. Long Sit - 30 points
7. Long Down - 30 points
OPEN II
1. Broad Jump - 20 points
2. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
3. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
4. Drop on Recall - 30 points
5. Figure Eight and Heel Free - 40 points
6. Long Down - 30 points
7. Long Sit - 30 points
OPEN III
1. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
2. Drop on Recall - 30 points
3. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
4. Broad Jump - 20 points
5. Figure Eight and Heel Free - 40 points
6. Long Sit - 30 points
7. Long Down - 30 points
OPEN IV
1. Drop on Recall - 30 points
2. Heel Free and Figure Eight - 40 points
3. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
4. Broad Jump - 20 points
5. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
6. Long Sit - 30 points
7. Long Down - 30 points
OPEN V
1. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
2. Drop on Recall - 30 points
3. Figure Eight and Heel Free - 40 points
4. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
5. Broad Jump - 20 points
6. Long Down - 30 points
7. Long Sit - 30 points
OPEN VI
1. Broad Jump - 20 points
2. Figure Eight and Heel Free - 40 points
3. Drop on Recall - 30 points
4. Retrieve over High Jump - 30 points
5. Retrieve on Flat - 20 points
6. Long Sit - 30 points
7. Long Down - 30 points
Section 5. CDX Title. The letters CDX may be added after the name of each dog that has been certified by three different judges to have received qualifying scores in Open classes at three licensed or member obedience trials. That dog will also receive a Companion Dog Excellent certificate from The American Kennel Club.
Section 6. Heel Free and Figure Eight, Performance and Scoring. This exercise will be executed in the same manner as the Novice Heel on Leash and Figure Eight exercise, except that the dog is off leash. Orders and scoring are the same as in Heel on Leash and Figure Eight.
Section 7. Drop on Recall. The principal features of this exercise, in addition to those listed under the Novice Recall, are the dog's prompt response to the handler's command or signal to drop, and the dog's remaining in the down position until again called or signaled to come. The dog will be judged on the promptness of its response to the command or signal.
The judge will order "Leave your dog," "Call your dog," then give a clear signal to drop the dog, followed by "Call your dog" and "Finish."
On order from the judge, the handler may give a command and/or signal for the dog to stay in the sit position. The handler will walk forward to the other end of the ring, then turn, facing his or her dog and stand naturally. On the judge's order or signal, the handler will either command or signal the dog to come. The dog must come directly at a brisk trot or gallop. On the judge's arm or hand signal, the handler shall give the command or signal to drop, and the dog must drop immediately to a complete down position. The dog must remain down until the judge gives the order or signal for the handler to signal or command the dog to come. The dog completes the exercise as in the Novice Recall.
Section 8. Drop on Recall, Scoring. A non-qualifying (NQ) score should be given to any dog which does not drop completely to the down position on a single command or signal, or for a dog that does not remain down until called or signaled.
Minor or substantial deductions, up to a non-qualifying (NQ) score shall be made for delayed or slow response to the handler's command or signal to drop, and for slow response to either of the recalls. All applicable penalties listed under the Novice Recall shall apply.
Section 9. Retrieve on Flat. The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog retrieve promptly. Orders are "Throw it," "Send your dog," "Take it" and "Finish."
The handler will stand with his or her dog sitting in the heel position in a place designated by the judge. On the judge's order, "Throw it," the handler will give the command and/or signal to stay. If the handler does use a signal, that signal may not be given with the hand that is holding the dumbbell. After the dumbbell is thrown at least 20 feet, the judge will order the handler "Send your dog." The retrieve should be executed at a brisk trot or gallop. The dog will go directly to the dumbbell and retrieve it, returning directly to the handler without unnecessary mouthing or playing. Without touching the handler or sitting between his or her feet, the dog must sit straight, centered immediately in front of the handler, close enough so the handler could touch its head without excessive bending, stretching or moving either foot. On order from the judge to "Take it," the handler will give command or signal and take the dumbbell.
The Finish will be executed as in the Novice Recall.
The dumbbell, which must be approved by the judge, will be made of one or more solid pieces of wood, or of a rigid or semi-rigid, firm, nontoxic, non-wooden material similar in size, shape, and weight to a wooden dumbbell. Metal dumbbells are not permitted. Dumbbells will not be hollowed out. They may be unfinished, coated with a clear finish, painted white or any other color. They may not have decorations or attachments, but may bear an inconspicuous mark for identification. The size of the dumbbell will be proportionate to the size of the dog. The judge will require the dumbbell to be thrown again before the dog is sent if it is thrown less than 20 feet, or too far to one side, or too close to the ring's edge.
Section 10. Retrieve on Flat, Scoring. A dog that fails to go out on the first command or signal, or goes to retrieve before the command or signal is given, or fails to retrieve, or does not return with the dumbbell sufficiently close that the handler can easily take the dumbbell as described above, must receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score.
Minor or substantial deductions will be made for a dog's slowness in going out, returning, slowness in picking up the dumbbell, not going directly to the dumbbell, mouthing or playing with the dumbbell, and reluctance or refusal to release the dumbbell to the handler. Depending on the extent, minor to substantial deduction will be made for dropping the dumbbell. All other applicable penalties listed under the Novice Recall will apply.
Section 11. Retrieve over High Jump. The principal features of this exercise are that the dog goes out over the jump, picks up the dumbbell and promptly returns with it over the jump. Orders are "Throw it," "Send your dog," "Take it," and "Finish." This exercise will be executed in the same manner as the Retrieve on Flat, except that the dog will clear the high jump both going and coming. The handler will stand at least 8 feet, or any reasonable distance beyond 8 feet from the jump, but will remain in the same spot throughout the exercise, and will throw the dumbbell at least 8 feet beyond the jump. (These 8- foot distances should be clearly marked.)
The minimum jump will be set at the nearest multiple of 2 inches to three-quarters the height of the dog at the withers for the following breeds:
Basset Hounds
Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bloodhounds
Bulldogs
Bullmastiffs
Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Clumber Spaniels
Dachshunds
French Bulldogs
Great Danes
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
Irish Wolfhounds
Mastiffs
Newfoundlands
Saint Bernards
Skye Terriers
The minimum jump shall be set to the multiple of 2 inches nearest the height of the dog at the withers for all other dogs, with no dog jumping less than 8 inches nor more than 36 inches. Handlers having their dogs jump more than the minimum required height will neither be penalized nor receive extra consideration. For breeds that jump three-quarters the height of the dog at the withers, the minimum jumps will be set in accordance with the following table -
Measured height of dog at withers - Height to be jumped (on the right)
Less than 12 12" - 8"
12 12" to less than 15" - 10"
15" to less than 17 12" - 12"
17 12" to less than 20" - 14"
20" to less than 23" - 16"
23" to less than 25 12" - 18"
25 12" to less than 28" - 20"
28" to less than 31" - 22"
31" to less than 33 12" - 24"
33 12" to less than 36" - 26"
36" to less than 39" - 28"
The stewards, based on the handler's advice as to the dog's height, may preset the jumps. The judge will make certain the jump is at least the minimum required height for each dog, and must also be aware that the jump may be set at a higher height if requested by the handler. The judge may, at his or her discretion, verify the height of any dog at the withers.
The high jump will be 5 feet wide and built to provide 2 inch increments from 8 inches to 36 inches. The uprights of the high jump will be 4 feet high. It is suggested that the bottom board measure 8 inches down from its top to the floor or ground. In addition, three other 8-inch boards, a 4-inch board and 2-inch board should be used. A 6-inch board may also be used. The jump will be painted a flat white. The only thing painted on the boards will be their height, written in black 2-inch numbers.
Section 12. Retrieve over High Jump, Scoring. A dog that fails to go over the full height of the jump in either direction, or that uses the jump for any aid in going over must receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score.
Depending on the specific circumstances, minor or substantial deductions shall be made for a dog that touches the jump in going over it or displays any hesitation in jumping. All other penalties listed under the Retrieve on Flat apply.
Section 13. Broad Jump. The principal features of this exercise are that the dog stay where left until directed to jump, that the dog clear the jump on a single command or signal and that the dog return to its handler after it has jumped.
Orders are "Leave your dog," "Send your dog" and "Finish."
The handler will stand with the dog sitting in the heel position, at least 8 feet from the jump, facing the lowest side of the lowest hurdle. (This 8-foot distance should be clearly marked.) On order from the judge to "Leave your dog," the handler will give the command and/or signal to stay and go to a position facing the right side of the jump. The handler may stand anywhere between the lowest edge of the first hurdle and the highest edge of the last hurdle, with his or her toes about 2 feet from the jump.
On the judge's order, the handler will give the command or signal to jump. While the dog is in midair, the handler will execute a right-angle turn, but will remain in the same spot. The dog will clear the entire distance of the hurdle without touching them and, without further command or signal, immediately return to a sitting position in front of the handler, finishing as in the Novice Recall.
The broad jump will consist of four telescoping hurdles, all about 8" wide and painted a flat white. The largest hurdle will measure about 5 feet long and about 6 inches at the highest point. In the ring, they will be arranged in order of size, evenly spaced, covering a distance equal to twice the height of the high jump setting for each dog. Four hurdles will be used for a jump of 48 to 72 inches, three for 28 to 44 inches and two for a jump of 16 to 24 inches. When decreasing the number of hurdles in the jump, the highest hurdle will be removed first. It is the judge's responsibility to see that the distance jumped by each dog is in accordance with these Regulations.
Section 14. Broad Jump, Scoring. A dog that fails to stay until directed to jump, or refuses the jump on the first command or signal, or that steps on or between the hurdle must receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score.
Depending on the circumstances, minor or substantial deductions will be made for a dog that does not return directly to the handler, displays any hesitation in jumping, or that touches the jump. All applicable penalties listed under the Novice Recall shall apply.
Section 15. Open Group Exercises, Performance and Scoring. During these exercises the judge will stand so that all the dogs are in his or her line of vision. Without having to turn around, he or she should be able to see all the handlers as they leave and return to the ring.
These exercises are performed in the same manner as in the Novice classes, except that the handlers must cross to the opposite side of the ring, then leave in a single file and go completely out of the dogs' sight. Counting from the judge's order to "Leave your dogs," the handlers must remain in the place designated by the judge until three (3) minutes have passed for the Long Sit and five (5) minutes for the Long Down. On the judge's orders, the handlers will return to the ring in reverse order, lining up to face their dogs at the opposite side of the ring, and return to their dogs.
Orders and scoring are the same as in the Novice group exercises.
ENTRY FEES
Day
of Match: $8.00 each
Additional Entry same dog-$4.00
Junior. & Adult Showmanship:
$4.00
Regina Osborne
e-mail
