Drafting Regulations

AMERICAN BULLMASTIFF ASSOCIATION DRAFT TEST REGULATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The ABA Draft Test is a series of exercises designed to demonstrate the abilities of purebred Bullmastiffs in a land work capacity. The performance of these skills is intended to demonstrate teamwork between dog and handler resulting from both natural ability, and training that are applicable to realistic work situations.

Dogs must be willing to work with their handlers, and the exercises must be accomplished efficiently. The goal of each handler must also demonstrate a working knowledge of drafting and be familiar with training and equipment.

These rules are a test of standards by which dogs and handlers are judged at an ABA draft test. These rules are not a training guide for draft work.

CHAPTER 1 - General Rules

1. Application for Draft Tests

Timing of the test must be coordinated with the National Specialty Chairperson at least 8 months prior to the specialty. Regional clubs may hold Draft Tests if desired. They must held in accordance to these rules.

2. Draft Test Chairman

The draft test Chairman will coordinate the actual test and must enforce the regulations. The Draft Test Chairman will provide to the show secretary the following information:

1. Date and location of test

2. Judges name

3. Entry Limit

4. A statement regarding entrants responsibility for obtaining a copy of these regulations.

5. The name/address of Working Dog Committee Secretary from whom entrants can obtain a copy of the rules.

6. An entry form that includes a signature and date line and a statement that reads: I enter my dog in this draft test at my own risk. I agree to abide by the ABA Draft Test Regulations. I have read and understand the draft test regulations. Entry forms must also include the standard AKC required information.

The show secretary will acknowledge entries and inform of start time, and location. If entries exceed limit, alternates must be notified of their place on the alternate list.

A copy of the rules must be available at the show site and to the judges. A written report must be submitted to the Working Dog Chairperson by the Draft Test Chair that included judges sheets, test description, exhibitor feedback, and problems.

3. JUDGES

The judges will be selected from the list provided by the Newfoundland Club, as well as qualified ABA members in good standing. A judge will be selected based on locale. A copy of ABA rules must be provided to the judge 60 days prior to the test.

4. DOGS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE

ABA Draft Tests are open to all purebred Bullmastiffs at least 18 months of age. Dog refers to either sex. All entered dogs must have an AKC#, ILP#, or foreign registration number. Dogs must have useable vision and hearing to compete.

5. DOGS THAT MAY NOT COMPETE

No dog belonging to a draft test judge or member of his/her family may compete. The Draft Test Chairperson may exhibit a dog in this event.

6. HANDLER

The dog must be handled by the same person for all exercises.

7. INELIGIBILITY

Dogs must be immediately disqualified by the judge for the following reasons:

1. The dog attacks a person or dog on the show grounds, or shows aggression towards the judge or handler.

2. The handler interferes with another handler or dog, or shows unsportsmanlike behavior in or outside the ring. (ie. Abusive language, mistreating dog, etc.)

3. Dog is lame

The judge will mark the dog disqualified and state the reason on the judges report.

8. BITCHES IN SEASON

Bitches in season may compete but, must be run as the last dog of the test.

9. JUDGES DECISIONS

At the draft test, the judges decision is final in all matters affecting scoring of the dogs.

10. ENTRY LIMIT

Entries must be received prior to the closing date of the test. Maximum # of entries is 10. An announcement of test limits must be prominently displayed in the premium list. Priority will be given to dogs that have not yet earned a draft title.

An alternate list will be maintained with all entries received beyond the limit. If absentees occur prior to the start of the test, alternates will be allowed to compete based on their position on the list.

11. PASSING SCORE

For a dog to receive a qualifying score, the judge must mark the dog passes in each exercise. A dog receiving a qualifying score may use initials DD: Draft Dog in any ABA activity. The DD certificate will also satisfy the Draft portion of the Working Dog Title.

12. STEWARDS

At least two stewards will be provided to assist the judge for each exercise.

13. TEST AREA

The ring for basic control will be at least 40’ X 50’. Test areas for maneuvering should be at least 60’ X 50’. Only the currently competing team may enter the ring.

II. REGULATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE AND JUDGING

1. STANDARDIZED JUDGING

Each dog will be judged in a fair and impartial manner. Judges mat make minimal adaptations to fit the available site, but not exercise should be substantially changed.

2. FAILED EXERCISE

During the test, the judge may allow the handler to assist the dog in completing an exercise once failed. Only gentle guidance by the collar is allowed as discipline. If a dog fails an exercise, it will not be rejudged, unless in the judges opinion, an unusual circumstance affected the dogs performance.

3. DOG IN DISTRESS

If at any time during the test, it becomes apparent to the judge or handler that the dog is in distress, the exercise will be terminated and the dog marked as failed. A dog may repeat the exercise if in the opinion of the judge, there was an unusual circumstance that contributed to the dogs distress.

4. JUDGES SHEETS

The judge will record pass/fail information for each dog on the Judges Record Sheets following the conclusion of the test. These sheets may be posted for entrants to view.

5. CATALOG ORDER

Catalog order will be determined by the order in which entries are received. Handlers and Dogs must exhibit in catalog order unless the judge is notified of a potential conflict. The only other exception to catalog order is bitches in season. The judge is not required to wait for a team that is not ready for judging, and may mark them absent.

6. USE OF LEASH

The test involves a combination of on and off lead exercises. Dogs must be brought into the test area and exit the area on lead.

7. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Handlers

The handler must provide collar, lead, harness and cart. All dogs must wear a well fitted buckle, slip or snap around slip collar. No special collars are permitted. The harness must fit the dog, and a judge may fail a dog for improper equipment.

Draft Test Committee

The committee must provide; Ring gates, Exhibitor numbers, a stop watch for stays, a clipboard and pen for judges, judging sheets, obstacles and intriguing distractions. Examples of removable obstacles include logs, branches, saw horse, and construction cones.

8. COMMANDS/SIGNALS/ENCOURAGEMENT

During the test, a handler may give commands and hand signals and encourage to the dog by voice. Multiple commands are allowed. The handler may not physically guide the dog. While and entrant may encourage his/her dog in a pleasant, upbeat manner, constant yelling, or reprimands are undesirable, and may cause an exercise to be failed.

9. PRAISE

Physical praise and petting are allowed between and after exercises. No other physical guidance is permitted.

10. HANDLING BETWEEN EXERCISES

A dog may be gently guided by the collar between exercises. No other physical guidance is permitted.

11. CHECK IN

Handlers must check in 60 minutes prior to the start of the test. Thirty minutes prior to the start, handlers and stewards must meet with the judge for instructions. Questions will be answered at this time.

12. PASSING PERFORMANCE

A dogs ability to perform assigned tasks with its handler is the primary quality emphasized in a draft test. In addition, a judge must consider the dogs willingness and smoothness of performance. A dog that willingly competes each exercise with out physical assistance from the handler should be marked as passes. To earn a title, all exercises must be marked passed. Each entrant will be informed if they have passed/failed at the completion of each series of exercises.

III. INDIVIDUAL EXERCISES

1. BASIC CONTROL

Each dog and handler completes the basic control section first in catalog order, and then return for the group exercise. When this series is complete, dogs perform maneuvering in catalog order.

The handler and dog are tested to verify handlers control over the dog. Handlers are permitted to talk to and encourage their dogs during the exercises. This series takes place in a 40’ X 50’ ring. Four exercises make up this series: a heal off lead, a recall, a three minute group down, and a stand stay for harnessing.

HEEL OFF LEAD

The handler and dog will do a heeling pattern off lead. The handler may not physically guide the dog, but may encourage the dog to remain within arms reach at all times. The following commands will be called; Forward, slow, normal, fast, right and left turn, about turn and halt. Dog may remain standing or sit upon the halt. The same pattern will be called for each dog.

Principle Part of the Heel Off Lead

The dog performs the heeling pattern on the left side of the handler and remains within arms reach.

Failing Performance

1. Handler adapts pace to dog.

2. Dog frequently heels out of handlers reach

3. Dog leaves ring

4. Dog must be physically handled

RECALL

The dog performs the recall across the full length of the ring. The dog will stay in place until called by the handler. The dog must respond to the first command to come. Hand and voice may both be used. Extra commands/encouragement is allowed after the dog is up and moving. The dog must come to the handler close enough to be touched, and may sit facing the handler. The following commands are called; Sit your dog, leave your dog, call your dog, finish (not required to pass) and exercise finished.

Principal parts of the Recall

The recall uses the entire length of the ring. The dog remains in place until the judge instructs the handler to call. Both hand and voice may be used, and encouragement after the dog is moving.

Failing Performance

1. Handler gives more than 1 stay command.

2. Dog does not stay when told

3. Dog does not respond to the first come command.

4. Dog does not go to handler, or remains out of reach

5. Dog must be physically guided

STAND FOR HARNESSING

Judge instructs handler to harness dog. The handler tells dog to stay, (either sit, down or stand) and gets harness from the steward. Handler commands dog to stand and stay, and proceeds to harness the dog. Once harnessed, the handler will again command stay and leave the dog to a distance of 6 feet. The judge will approach and touch the dog. The judge will than command return to your dog and than the judge will command exercise finished. The dog may be on or off lead for this exercise. The dog may move feet on the stand stay, however, he may not move from the area where commanded to stay.

Principal parts of the Stand For Harnessing

Handler leaves the dog in any position and gets harness from steward. Upon return, commands the dog to stand/stay and harnesses. The dog may be guided into a stand.

Failing Performance

1. Dog does not remain in place while handler gets harness.

2. Dog resists harnessing, or leaves the place where stand/stay command was given.

3. Dog shows resistance to judge examination

THREE MINUTE DOWN

The three minutes down is a group exercise and will be held after all entrants have completed the basic control section of the test. The down will be done with the dogs in harness, but not hitches. This exercise will be performed off lead with the handlers across the ring. Each group will be a maximum of 10 dogs. Leads will be placed behind the dogs. Dogs may not be manually placed in the down position. The commands are; Down your dog, leave your dog, return, exercise finished.

Principal Parts of the Group Down

1. The exercise is performed with the handler across the length of the ring, and the dogs in harness.

2. The dog can be encouraged to down but not physically handled to the down.

3. The stay command may be given with hand and voice.

4. The dogs remain down until the judge instructs handlers to return, and gives the exercise finished statement.

Failing Performance

1. Handler gives more than one stay command.

2. Dog sits or stands before handler returns, or moves a substantial distance from original position even though still down.

3. Dog is physically positioned into the down

IV HITCHING

This test section begins immediately following the long down. Each dog is called in catalog order, and will individually complete the following exercise.

1. Using the equipment provided by the handler, the handler hitches the dog in this exercise. A handler may touch the dog as required to hitch, but may not touch to discipline. The dog must demonstrate willingness to be hitched to the cart without shying from the original spot.

Prior to the start of this exercise, the handler brings the cart to the steward, who places it in the test area as instructed by the judge.

The dog and handler enter the ring on lead. Dogs are still in harness. The judge will start the exercise at least six feet from the cart. When instructed by the judge, the handler will hitch his dog by either backing the dog into the shafts, or placing the dog into a stand stay and bringing the cart up to the dog. Next, the handler hitches the dog to the cart. When the dog is hitched, the judge will indicate that the dog and handler move to a predetermined location at least 20 feet ahead and stop. During the time, the judge observes the equipment to verify that it is in safe operating order. When the dog and handler have stopped at the designated location, the judge calls the exercise finished. Dog must move on a loose lead and stop on command.

Principal Part of the Exercise

1. Cart is placed in ring by steward, according to judges instructions.

2. Dog backs for hitching or does a stand stay while hitched

3. Handler must properly hitch dog

4. Dog and handler move 20’ to indicate readiness for next portion of test

Failing Performance

1. Dog refuses to back into shafts within 60 seconds or moves away when cart is brought up behind him

2. Dog is uncooperative during hitching

3. The hitch is unsafe, or the cart balance is unsafe, or poorly designed

4. Dog does not proceed forward on a loose lead, or must be force to halt.

V MANEUVERING

The maneuvering course will include the following:

1. Weave pattern down the length of the ring (Serpentine)

2. Ninety degree turns to the left and right

3. Two narrow areas at least six feet long, one low to the ground (logs), and one a solid narrow area at least two feet high (bales of hay). Width to be determined by measuring the widest cart of the day and adding 12 inches.

4. A removable obstacle.

The course may be worked on or off lead. The lead must remain loose. The handler may work next to, in front of, or behind the dog. The handler may not impede the dogs forward movement at any time. This includes stepping infront of the dog to enforce halt command, or stepping in front of a dog who tried to change directions against the handlers commands. The dog will haul at a normal forward speed unless instructed otherwise by the judge.

At the beginning of the maneuvering course, the judge will tell the handler to take the course. There are no time constraints as long as the dog continues to work. At appropriate locations along the course, the judge will command in any order the dog and handler to slow, halt, back up at least three feet. Judges will instruct handlers using the following commands; haul forward, haul slowly, stop, and back your dog. The sequence for the commands will be the same time and location for all dogs.

At the removable obstacle the dog waits(handler instructions allowed) for the handler to remove the obstacle, and proceeds only on command. The judge will instruct the handler to leave the dog, and return the obstacle to its former position.

The handler may not touch the cart unless permission is received from the judge.

Failing Performance

1. Handler impedes dogs forward movement

2. Handler touches dog or cart without judges permission

3. Dog refuses to obey commands or does not accompany handler

4. Dog is worked on a tight lead

5. Dog refuses to back the required distance

6. Dog tries to pass moveable obstacle without waiting for handler to move it, does not wait for handlers command to move forward, or does not stay when handler returns obstacle to original position

7. Dog upsets cart

VI FREIGHT LOAD AND INTRIGUING DISTRACTION

Freight loads for wheeled carts shall be 25 pounds. The handler may provide the freight material otherwise, sealed bags of pet food may be used. Animals or people may not be used as freight. This part of the test begins immediately following the maneuvering course.

The judge will issue the following commands; Retrieve and load freight, haul forward, stop.

The dog is instructed to stay while the handler retrieves and loads the freight. The handler must secure the load without additional assistance. The freight load must be properly balanced. If the handler notices during the haul that the load may become unbalanced, they may stop, fix the load, and then continue to haul.

The judge will command haul forward, at which time the dog and handler will proceed around the full perimeter of the ring, returning to the initial starting point, or stopping at the judges command. The dog must remain on a loose lead. The judge will command the handler to unload and unhitch, at which time the handler will command the dog to stay, and proceed to unload freight, and unhitch the cart.

An intriguing distraction will occur during this portion of the test, near the dog and handler while working the perimeter. The dog may stop and notice the distraction, but may not pursue the distraction. The handler may redirect the dog to continue working. The distraction will remain the same for all dogs tested.

Principal Parts of the Exercise

1. Dog stays while freight is retrieved and loaded

2. Dog proceeds around perimeter of ring on loose lead

3. Dog works through distraction on course

4. Dog stands for unloading/unhitching

Failing Performance

1. Handler touches the dog or cart during the freight haul

2. Dog does not cooperate while loading/unloading

3. Dog refuses to move loaded cart

4. Load is too heavy for the dog

5. Handler works dog on tight lead

6. Dog follows or flees from distraction

7. Dog repeatedly barks at distraction

8. Dog refuses to move after distraction

9. If the handler fails to notice the load becoming unbalanced

Completion:

After all dogs have completed both sections of the test, all passing teams will be called back into the ring and awards will be given. These events are pass/fail.