The Obedience Rules & Regulations for 2011 have now been reviewed and approved by the Obedience working party for the 2011 qualifying year (to compete at Crufts 2012).
Please make sure you read the full amendments before entering any Young Kennel Club Obedience class so you are familiar with all of the changes.
The main amendments to be aware of are as follows, please also pay close attention to the class exercises within the rules:
Classes - The class winner (provided he/she is within qualifying marks) will automatically qualify for the same class at Crufts. If he/she should win a higher class in the qualifying year, he/she will be entered into all qualifying classes at Crufts.
Diplomas - It was agreed that it would be proposed that for Crufts Finals in 2011 and onwards the diploma route should be removed; only winners of qualifying heats held during 2010 would be invited via diplomas
Age Restriction - It was agreed that there was no reason why an 18+ year old member who was new to Obedience should not compete in Starters. It was agreed that the restriction should be removed for 2011 classes
Number of Dogs - It is unnecessary in future to restrict numbers by also stipulating that a handler could work only one dog. It was agreed that the restriction on working only one dog in the finals should be removed for 2011.
Temperament Test - It was observed that dogs need only take the test once, when they first competed in qualifying classes. It was agreed to remove the temperament test from the tests for Graduate, Intermediate and Advanced classes, to add it to the tests for Starters and retain it in the tests for Elementary, to ensure that all dogs competing for the first time would have undergone a temperament test.
Rebecca Pointer Trophy - It was agreed that the restriction which prevented a handler from entering the competition again once they had won the trophy should be removed.
If you require any additional information please do contact a member of the Young Kennel Club team on 020 7518 1030.
