SUBMISSION to the ANKC RULES & REGULATIONS 2012 with PROPOSED CHANGES to BE DISCUSSED

2017 HERDING MTG - ATTACHMENT 6a

SUBMISSION TO THE ANKC RULES & REGULATIONS 2012 with PROPOSED CHANGES TO BE DISCUSSED FOR 2016,

by the

HERDING SUB-COMMITTEE of DOGS QUEENSLAND

OLD INTRODUCTION, THIRD PARAGRAPH (PAGE 4)

The ANKC Ltd Herding Program is designed to preserve the traditional style and herding instinct of thesemany breeds. Herding Tests and Trials provide a standardised gauge by which a dog’s basic instinct andability can be measured, and allow dogs to demonstrate the useful functions for which they were originallydeveloped.

SUGGESTED NEW INTRODUCTION, THIRD PARAGRAPH (PAGE 4)

The ANKC Ltd Herding Program is designed to preserve the traditional style and herding instincts of thesemany breeds. Herding Tests and Trials provide standardised gauges by which a dog’s basic instinct andability can be measured, and allow dogs to demonstrate the useful functions for which they were originallydeveloped by the use of differing Trial courses.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This is designed to show that different herding breeds have differing herding instincts and that these aretested by using different courses.

OLD AIMS (PAGE 4)

AIMS

Preserve the working instinct and ability of the working breeds.
The training and education of administration, judging and scribing personnel, for the purposes ofHerding Tests and Trials.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO AIMS (PAGE 4) (Addition of ‘and competitors’)

AIMS

Preserve the working instinct and ability of the working breeds.
The training and education of administration, judging, scribing personnel and competitors, for the purposes of Herding Tests and Trials.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

Competitors are an integral component to Herding and should be included here as their knowledge and understanding of the Rules and Regulations is very important.

OLD RULE 1.1.3

Dogs MUST have herding training and prior exposure to the appropriate livestock before entering ina Test and/or Trial.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 1.1.3

Dogs MUST have herding training and prior exposure to the appropriate livestock before entering inany Test and any Started Trial.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This defines the rule much better. While this old rule is well understood for dogs entering an Instinct Test, many competitors have the common misconception that training and prior exposure to the appropriate livestock is not needed when entering any of the Tests, and for the A and BStarted Courses.

ADDITION OF RULE 1.1.3a

Prior to each competitor entering the ring for any of the Test levels and for Started A or B Courses, he/she must be asked individually whether their dog has had training and prior exposure to the livestock being used in the ring.

RATIONALE FOR THE ADDITION

Many competitors have the common misconception that training and prior exposure to the appropriate livestock is not needed when entering any of the Tests, and for the A and B Started Courses.

OLD RULE 1.1.5

A dog may compete on which ever course the handler chooses.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 1.1.5

A dog may compete on which ever course the handler chooses, provided that the dog is qualified under these rules to compete at that level and the affiliate is offering the course and stock.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This defines the rule much better and helps negate competitors from entering courses that their dog has not qualified for or that the affiliate has, for whatever reason, not offered.

OLD RULE 1.3.14

Vetting of all bitches prior to competition will mean that bitches in season shall be eligible and mustrun at the end of the day in Tests and Trials.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 1.3.14

Vetting of all bitches prior to competition will mean that bitches in season shall be eligible and mustrun at the completion of each course, provided that the area within the course is not being used for another trial or test on the same day.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This defines the rule much better. Some Trial Managers take this as meaning the bitch has to wait until the completion of all Trials and Tests before competing, which is not the intention of this rule which of course is so that male dogs are not distracted by the smell of bitches in oestrum. Also, some parts of a course may be used elsewhere at the completion of a course for a subsequent course so this would mean resetting the original course.

OLD RULE 1.12.5

A dog that grips abusively shall be immediately excused. The Judge shall complete and sign an ANKC Ltd excusal form (attached) that must be lodged with the Controlling Body within 3 days. Any excusal by a Judge will be recorded on the ANKC Ltd Computer system. If a dog is excused the judge must notify the exhibitor of the excusal, notify the stock owner and inspect the stock for damage.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 1.12.5

A dog that grips abusively* shall be immediately excused. The Judge shall complete and sign an ANKC Ltd excusal form (attached) that must be lodged with the Controlling Body within 3 days. Any excusal by a Judge will be recorded on the ANKC Ltd Computer system. If a dog is excused the judge must notify the exhibitor of the excusal, notify the stock owner and inspect the stock for damage.

*Abusively could be defined as an unnecessary and/or unprovoked grip, with or without resulting damage to the stock.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

There should be some sort of definition for the word ‘abusively’ in this Rule. Perhaps a more complete definition could be written here.

OLD RULE 2.3.3

The Judge is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations throughout a Herding Test/Trial, and that the livestock are properly cared for and rotated as needed. The Judge must check thestock fencing, facilities and equipment provided for use before starting to Judge. If the Judge deemseither the stock, fencing facilities or equipment inadequate for the event and no corrections ormodifications can be made, the Judge in consultation with the Affiliate Member may cancel the Test/Trial class/course. Entry fees shall be refunded by the Affiliate Member, and the Judge reimbursedfor his or her expenses, but the Judge shall not receive any additional fees that might have

previously been agreed upon.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 2.3.3 (Comma between ‘stock’ and ‘fencing’ in second line)

The Judge is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations throughout a Herding Test/Trial, and that the livestock are properly cared for and rotated as needed. The Judge must check thestock, fencing, facilities and equipment provided for use before starting to Judge. If the Judge deemseither the stock, fencing facilities or equipment inadequate for the event and no corrections ormodifications can be made, the Judge in consultation with the Affiliate Member may cancel the Test/Trial class/course. Entry fees shall be refunded by the Affiliate Member, and the Judge reimbursedfor his or her expenses, but the Judge shall not receive any additional fees that might have

previously been agreed upon.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

A comma should be inserted after ‘stock’, the sixth word in the second sentence. This now means the judge must also check the stock, as well as the fencing, facilities, etc. The old rule says to check the ‘stock fencing’ as well as facilities, etc.

OLD RULE 2.4.1

The maximum numbers of dogs that may be judged by a Judge in one day is 40 for Trials or 50 forTests. Adequate time, up to 1 hour, must be allowed for rest and meals at the Judge’s discretion.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 2.4.1

Each type of event to have points allotted depending on the approximate time taken to judge each of these events:

Instinct and Herding Tests 3 points each

Pre-Trial Test 5 points each

A and B Courses 7points each

C Course Started15 points each

C Courses Intermediate and Advanced20 points each.

The maximum number of points that can be judged by a single judge in a day is approximately 275, with a maximum of 60 entries. Adequate time, up to 1 hour, must be allowed for rest and meals at the Judge’s discretion.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

Almost all Affiliates quite often offer combinations of Trials and Tests to be judged by a judge on a particular day. However this old rule takes no account of the numbers to be judged in any combinations of these. To give some background – Instinct and Herding Tests often only take a few minutes each and there is little delay between each test; Pre-Trial Tests usually take about 5 to 7 minutes with little delay between each test; A and B Course Trials take up to 7 to 10 minutes each with more delay for competitors to enter and leave the arena and for the stock to be set; and C Course Trial can take up to 30 or 45 minutes to run (depending on the level being judged) with a delay for the competitors to enter and leave the arena. This all means that stating blanket numbers that can be judged is not feasible. The suggestion is that points should be allotted for each type of event to be judgedso that each group of points approximates the time taken to judge that event. From the above point allocation in THE SUGGESTED CHANGE, it can be seen that a total of, say, approximately 275 points can be judged in one day. E.g. From the above, three Advanced/Intermediate C Course runs + three Started C Course runs, + 10 B Course runs + 15 A course runs would equal 280 points. Another example would be a total of 30 A and B Course runs, six Pre-Trial Tests and 12 Instinct and Herding Tests would equal 276 points. Both these examples are a feasible number of entries to judge; more that these numbers could only be judged properly with difficulty. The maximum number of entries should also be limited to a number, say 60.

OLD RULE 2.10.11

Sheep: Three head per run for three runs per day, or

Three to five head per run for four runs per day with at least half hour rest between runs or

Five head per run for five runs per day with at least 45 minutes between runs.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 2.10.11

Sheep (in A and B Courses only): Three head per run for three runs per day, or

Three to five head per run for four runs per day with at least half hour rest between runs or

Five head per run for five runs per day with at least 45 minutes between runs.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This defines the rule much better as this is only applicable to A and B Courses using sheep. The rules governing the use of sheep in the C Course is detailed in Rule 2.10.15.

OLD RULE 2.11.5

None.

SUGGESTED ADDITION OF RULE 2.11.5

Where single panels are used as obstacles in Pre-Trial Test Courses, A Courses and B Courses, their lengths should be –

For ducks, approximately 1.2 metres long;

For sheep, approximately 1.8 to 2 metres long; and

For cattle, approximately 2 to 2.2 metres long.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This gives a length of single panels used in the Pre-Trial Test (2 panels), the Panel Runway and Centreline Gates used in the Started and Novice A Courses (3 panels), the Centreline Gates used in the Intermediate and Advanced A Courses (2 panels), and the Gate 1 and Gate 2 used in all levels of the B Course (4 panels).

IF THIS RULE 2.11.5 WAS ADOPTED, THEN –

OLD RULE 2.11.3

Obstacles for sheep and cattle should be constructed of slatted wood, pipe panels or equivalent Obstacle panels for sheep should be approximately 1.2 metres in height. Obstacle panels for cattleshould be 1.3 metres in height. Obstacle panels for ducks should be approximately 1.2 metres longand 0.6 metres high and may be reinforced with wire fencing to keep the ducks from escaping.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 2.11.3

Obstacles for sheep and cattle should be constructed of slatted wood, pipe panels or equivalent. Obstacle panels for sheep should be approximately 1.2 metres in height. Obstacle panels for cattleshould be 1.3 metres in height. Obstacle panels for ducks should be 0.6 metres high and may be reinforced with wire fencing to keep the ducks from escaping.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

The height for the obstacles for ducks would already be covered in Rule 2.11.5.

OR, THIS SECTION COULD BE EXPRESSED THIS WAY –

OLD RULE 2.11.3

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 2.11.3

Obstacles for sheep and cattle should be constructed of slatted wood, pipe panels or equivalent. Obstacle panels for sheep should be approximately 1.2 metres in height and 1.8 to 2 metres long. Obstacle panels for cattleshould be 1.3 metres in height and 2 to 2.2 metres long. Obstacle panels for ducks should be 0.6 metres high and 1.2 metres long and may be reinforced with wire fencing to keep the ducks from escaping.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This keeps both dimensions for obstacles for all types of stock in the one rule, so negating the need to make a new rule.

OLD RULE 3.1.3

3.1.3 Clubs may or may or may not choose to offer HT/PT boundary style. The schedule must state ifboundary tests will or will not be offered.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 3.1.3 (Deletion of ‘3.1.3’ numbers)

Clubs may or may or may not choose to offer HT/PT boundary style. The schedule must state ifboundary tests will or will not be offered.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

The ‘3.1.3’ at the beginning of the first line should not be there as it is superfluous (and was probably a typo).

OLD RULE 3.2.2

The arena for Instinct Testing must be 9 metres by 9 metres up to 30 metres x 30 metres. An oval orround arena is acceptable. Square corners must be rounded. Terrain for duck arena should be verysmooth and firm with only a slight slope.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 3.2.2

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This defines the rule much better. The old rule could be interpreted as that the area used for ducks for Instinct Test had to have a slight slope.

OLD RULE 3.2.2

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 3.2.2

The arena for Instinct Testing must be 9 metres by 9 metres for ducks. For all other stock, the minimum is 9 metres x 9 metres, up to a maximum of 30 metres x 30 metres. An oval orround arena is acceptable. Square corners must be rounded. Terrain for duck arena should be verysmooth and firm with only a slight slope.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

This defines these measurements much better and fit in with the measurements shown on the Instinct Test diagram on page 14.

OLD RULE 3.2.3

The arena for a Herding Test must measure no less than approximately 15 metres x 15 metres, 15metres x 15 metres for ducks and no more than approximately 30 metres x 30 metres for all otherstock. An oval or round arena is acceptable. Square corners must be rounded. Terrain for duckarenas should be very smooth and firm and with only a slight slope.

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 3.2.3

The arena for a Herding Test must measure no less than approximately 15 metres x 15 metres, 15metres x 15 metres for ducks and no more than approximately 30 metres x 30 metres for all otherstock. An oval or round arena is acceptable. Square corners must be rounded. Terrain for duck arena should be verysmooth, firm and flat. If there is a slope it should be slight.

RATIONALE FOR CHANGE

This defines the rule much better. The old rule could be interpreted as that the area used for ducks for Herding Test had to have a slight slope.

OLD RULE 3.2.3

SUGGESTED CHANGE TO RULE 3.2.3

The arena for a Herding Test must measure no less than approximately 15metres x 15 metres for ducks and no more than approximately 30 metres x 30 metres for all otherstock. An oval or round arena is acceptable. Square corners must be rounded. Terrain for duckarenas should be very smooth and firm and with only a slight slope.