SNC logo The Southern Newfoundland Club
President: Mrs. Pamela Cross-Stern
WORKING SHOWING WELFARE

Beginners Level Draught Test Regulations

Dogs minimum age is 15 months


Download the full 2011 SNC/NC Draught Test Regulations in Adobe pdf format (A4 format) here
All handlers must attend the Judges Briefing at the appointed time. Handlers who miss the Briefing will only be admitted under special circumstances and at the discretion of the Test Manager.

PURPOSE - Beginners Level
To demonstrate a dog's ability to respond to the handlers commands and to safely pull through its harness.

FIRST & SECOND ELEMENT - CONTROL SECTION
Description
A course will be set in the test area by the two judges with the following elements.
  • There will be between 7 and 9 turns, all at normal pace made up from:
       2 to 3 left turns
       2 to 3 right turns
       2 to 3 about turns
  • A wait of 5 seconds to represent stopping at a junction
  • A random, unexpected stop that may be different for each team
  • a 1 minute down stay, the handler will stand next to the dog (off lead).
  • a simple recall from 5 metres, the dog must be off lead
Before entering the test area, the handler will hand the harness to the steward.

The dog will be walked into the test area and left in a "stay", standing, sitting or down position as the handler wishes.

The handler will take the harness from the steward, who will be positioned 5 metres away and then return to harness the dog.

When they are ready, the handler will inform the Judges the dog is ready for inspection.

One of the Judges (Judge A) will then carry out the formal inspection. If this is passed satisfactorily, then the handler, with their dog alongside them, will walk the designated course, responding to the instructions that will be given by the steward.

Permitted actions:
  • Handlers can kneel or extend their arms or even walk backwards during the action part of the recall; the exercise is complete when the dog is back with the handler.
Failure:
  • If the dog leaves the ring.
  • if the dog leaves the ring
Disqualification:
  • If the handler shows any signs of harsh treatment to the dog.

THIRD & FOURTH ELEMENT - PULL SECTION
Description:
On completing the Control Section satisfactorily, the handler will be required to hitch up the dog to the apparatus. When they are ready, the handler will inform the Judges the dog is ready for inspection.

The other Judge (Judge B) will then carry out the formal inspection.

If this is passed satisfactorily, then the handler, with their dog alongside them, will instruct the dog to pull the apparatus willingly and safely diagonally across the ring in a straight line as instructed by the steward.

The steward will instruct the handler and dog to stop.

When instructed by the Judges, the handler will unhitch and unharness their dog before walking away from the test area in a controlled manner.

Failure:
  • If the 'team' accumulates more than 15 points in element three and four.
  • If through lack of handlers safety awareness the log, sledge or cart becomes unstable or tips over.
  • If the handler manoeuvres the apparatus in any way to cause distress or discomfort to the dog.
  • If the dog is dangerously out of control.
Disqualification:
  • If the handler shows any signs of harsh treatment to the dog.
Copyright Notice: All images and documents on this site are the property of The Southern Newfoundland Club unless otherwise noted. All rights are reserved. No reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmittal, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, of duplicate copies for loaning, renting, selling, allowed without prior written permission of the Southern Newfoundland Club. This web site is copyright © 2008-2012 The Southern Newfoundland Club (SNC).
Disclaimer: Acceptance and use of the information contained on this web site constitutes an acknowledgement that the user hereby releases and indemnifies SNC and its officers, members and agents from any and all liability and damages sustained by the user as a result of any information obtained from this web site.
Please email comments, suggestions, amendments, updates or content to web@southernnewfoundlandclub.co.uk