Doggie Vogue
Weight Pull

I. CONDITIONS

  • All CKC Rules for Competition and other policies and procedures apply to this event.
  • Dogs that are under the age of 9 months or that weight less than 25 lbs are not qualified to participate in this event.
  • Aggressive dogs are not allowed to enter a CKC Weight Pulling Competition. Enthusiasm & excitement will not be perceived as aggression.

  • No adhesives or “Stick-Um” will be allowed on the pads of the dogs competing. Failure to abide by this rule will result in disqualification.

  • The use of Pad Guard is allowed at all CKC events. At weight pulls, this product must be applied prior to entering the “In the hole” position.

  • All dogs are required to pass CKC Canine Companion Certification Program or participate in the Canine Companion Passport Program.

II. OFFICIALS & DUTIES – These Officials MUST be present in order to hold a CKC sanctioned event.

A. Judge:

  • Checks each dog before the pull commences for adhesive or “Stick-Um”.
  • Determines amount of weight pulled for each round.
  • Determines any fouls or alibis that may occur.
  • Determines when the pull is complete (front wheels of cart reach finish line).
  • Inspects and approves the track and all equipment used in the pull.
  • Starts and stops the timer for each pull.
  • Certify the final results by signing the Weight Pull Entry & Results Form at the conclusion of the day’s event.
  • The Judge may call for breaks as needed.

B. Score Keeper

  • Must be appointed and approved by a CKC Certified Weight Pulling Judge.
  • Enters all contestants in the event.
  • Weighs all dogs and puts the dogs in the proper weight class.
  • Documents all fouls and alibis that occur.
  • Documents each dog’s weight and time for each pull.
  • Instructs the cart-handler's) on the amount of weight to load for each pull.
  • Certify the final results by signing the Weight Pull Entry & Results Form at the conclusion of the day’s event.

C. Entry Director:

  • Calls dogs to the holding area (according to the weights indicated by the judge).
  • Make sure that all dogs have been harnessed once they reach the holding area.
  • Make sure the next dog competing is ready when the dog is called to pull.

D. Cart-handler(s):

  • Loads and unloads the cart with the amount of weight instructed by the judge.
  • Positions the cart at the starting line for each pull.
  • Hooks and unhooks the pulling harnesses to and from the cart.

E. Club Officer (President or Vice President):

  • Certify the final results by signing the Weight Pull Entry & Results Form and seal the results inside the CKC provided envelope.
  • This envelope should be given to a CKC Field Representative at the conclusion of the day’s event.

III. WEIGHT CLASSES

  • All dogs under 25 pounds and under will be entered in the Pee-Wee Weight Pulling Class and will pull on a separate cart in a separate competition. Same competition rules apply to the Pee-Wee classes.
  • Standard CKC Weight Pulling Classes
     

    26-45 lbs.- Lower Small Class

    46-65 lbs.- Upper Small Class

    66-85 lbs.– Lower Medium Class

    86-105 lbs.– Upper Medium Class

    106-125 lbs.—Lower Large Class

    126 lbs. and up– Upper Large Class

  • There must be no less than 4 dogs entered in a class in order for the dogs in that class to receive points & awards. (See X. POINTS & AWARDS for more information)
  • If there are not enough dogs entered into one class, at the judges discretion, dogs may be moved into a higher weight class or down to the lower weight class.

  • CKC Weight Pulling Champions may compete only against other CKC Weight Pulling Champions for wins toward Grand Championship Titles.
  • Champions may pull in standard CKC Weight Pulling classes in order to achieve higher weight pulling titles and points toward a Grand Championship Title.
  • When CKC Weight Pulling Champion enters a CKC Weight Pulling Competition, the handler must inform the judge, prior to competing, that the dog is a Champion, otherwise CKC may revoke the dogs Champion status and any points the dog has accumulated at prior CKC Weight Pulling Competitions.

IV. COMPETITION AREA

The Competition Area will consist of three (3) parts: Pulling Area, Holding Area ( AKA: ‘on deck’ & ‘in the hole’) and Waiting Area.. The Judge will designate these areas during the handler’s meeting.

  • There shall be no un-entered dogs in the competition area.
  • The track must be approved by the judge prior to the event.
  • How often the track is to be examined, will be determined at the handlers’ meeting.
  • The Holding Area and Waiting Area must be positioned far enough away so that they will not interfere with the dog while in the Pulling Area. Failure to abide by this rule may result in disqualification.
  • All dogs, with exception of the dog that is currently pulling and the two (2) dogs that in the Holding Area (‘on deck’ & ‘in the hole’), must remain kenneled at all times.
  • A minimum of 9 feet must be maintained between dogs at all times during the event.
  • The pulling track must be blocked off 10 ft (on each side) away from the pulling track.
  • The start and finishing lines must be clearly marked and must be exactly 15 ft apart.
  • The track must be clearly marked at the 21 ft line (6 ft from finish line).
  • The length of the pulling track must extend at least 10 ft past the finish line.
  • The rail system surface shouldn’t be any smaller than 30” and no larger than 65” between rails.
  • If Rails have been lifted, the dog has to be able to reach the track without being picked up or without having to jump any higher than the withers.

V. EQUIPMENT & PULLING REQUIREMENTS

  • The weight pulling cart must be a CKC approved.
  • Rails should be in good condition.
  • Rails can be flat, round, or grooved. Casters that fit or form around rails are also allowed.
  • Rail systems will have a contact point of starting and stopping.
  • Rail systems should have contacts to angle or level the track unless it is base level. The contacts should not be raised over 8” from the start to the finish line.
  • If rail contacts are raised to incline, this must be discussed in the handler’s meeting.
  • All of the equipment that is used during the event must be check and approved by the Judge, prior to the event. Any questions about equipment should be brought up during the handler’s meeting.
  • Dogs competing in any CKC Performance Event must compete in a flat collar only (nylon or leather). No slip collars, prongs, studded collars or e-collars will be allowed.
  • Leashes cannot be attached to the dog in any way while the dog is pulling.
  • Traces must be no less than 4 ft and no more than 6 ft in length.
  • The handler must not allow more than 1 ft of slack in the traces while the dog is pulling. Allowing more than one ft may constitute a foul.
  • Dogs competing in a CKC sanctioned Weight Pull must compete in a “pulling harness” approved by the Judge. No studded harnesses are allowed. No shocks, springs, etc. are allowed on the harnesses.
  • It is the responsibility of the handlers to supply a harness.
  • Harnesses may be removed from the dog between pulls however the dog must be harnessed when entering the Holding Area.
  • The judge must certify and weigh the cart; total weight of the cart and traces will be calculated into the total weight pulled.
  • The judge must certify the weights.
  • For each pull, the cart must be placed with the front wheels directly behind and touching the starting line
  • To complete a pull:
    • The dog must break the cart itself. The Handler is not allowed to assist the dog by walking him through the track while still attached to the cart at ANY time during the competition.
    • The dog must pull the cart and weight a distance of 15 ft within 60 seconds without any alibis or fouls (see FOULS & ALIBIS).
  • Each pull is complete and time is recorded when the front wheels of the cart first touches the finish line.
  • If the dog completes the pull not on the track, it is considered a complete pull as long as no fouls or alibis were committed.
  • A dog will be eliminated once he fails to complete a pull or commits 3 fouls (the dogs final score must be taken from the previous pull).

VI. CERTIFICATION

  • All dogs must be certified prior to competing in weight pull events.
  • Any licensed CKC Weight Pull Judge may certify dogs in accordance with current CKC certification procedures.
  • Dogs may be certified on the day of the event during the posted sign-up hours with the approval of the Judge for that event.

VII. BAITING

  • No bait may be used that encourage the dog(s) to have aggressive behavior.
  • Bait must be approved by the Judge before the handlers enter the track (THE JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL).
  • The handler is only allowed to use a single bait. If any other bait is used (other than the bait pre-approved by the judge) a foul will be issued.
  • Food and live bait are not allowed.
  • Baits (if used) must be held in front of the dog and remain at least 1 ft away from the dog.
  • Two handlers may work the dog; the first handler may stay inside the 15 ft. mark, however the second handler must remain outside the 21 ft. mark.

VIII. PULLING PROCEDURES

  • The order in which the dogs will be called to the holding area will be determined by the Judge.
  • Dogs must be harnessed once they reach the holding area and remain in the holding area until time to pull.
  • Dogs must be walked to the pulling cart. (No dogs are to be carried to the cart.)
  • The starting weight for each class will be determined by the Judge, based on the weight class and the experience and age of the dogs entered in those classes.
  • If the dog does not complete a pull or commits 3 fouls, the dog is eliminated, otherwise, the dog will return to the Waiting Area for the next pulling round.
  • The judge will decide the increase of weight to be pulled for each round.
  • The handler must remain in the Waiting Area with their dog(s) once the pull has commenced. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. The only exception to this rule is if a handler is pulling more than one dog in a weight class. If this occurs, the handler MUST have the dog that is not pulling kenneled.
  • The procedure for releasing the dog and commencing the starting time for each will be decided at the handlers meeting.
  • The handler may not touch the dog once the pull has commenced until the dog crosses the 21 ft mark or the judge gives the ok or the dog will receive a foul.
  • All dogs must attempt the first pull. After the first pull, dogs may pass up to 6 times, and may or may not be consecutively, that is the handlers choice.
  • Once the pull that decides the first, second and third place winners is completed, the winners of the classes may choose to make one last pull in order to achieve a Weight Pulling Title or a Pound for Pound. This pull will only count if the dog breaks the cart itself and completes the pull, physically unassisted.

IX. FOULS & ALIBIS

  • A foul is committed when anyone touches the cart or dog (before the judge gives the OK) in anyway after the pull has commenced and the time has been started.

  • A foul is committed if the handler (or anyone else) pushes or drops the dog at the start of the pull.
  • A foul is committed if the handler makes aggressive actions toward the dog while the dog is pulling.
  • A foul is committed if the dog is allowed to reach the bait.
  • A foul is committed if the handler uses any bait other than the bait approved by the judge.
  • A foul is committed after two alibis have taken place.
  • An alibi is any unintentional circumstance that makes a dog unable to complete a pull.
  • In the case, that an alibi has taken place the judge will stop the time and instruct the handler to fix the problem; the dog must restart the pull.
  • A dog will be eliminated from the competition after committing the third foul and the dog’s final score will be taken from the previous pull.
  • A foul is issued if the handler hooks or unhooks the dog from the cart.

X. POINTS AND AWARDS

  • In order to receive a CKC Weight Pulling Title for this event the dog must pull at least 25 times the dogs body weight (ex. If a dog weighs 35 lbs and pulls 350 lbs, then the dog pulled 10 times the dog’s body weight).
  • In order to receive a CKC Weight Pulling Title Level II, the dog must pull at least 50 times the dogs body weight. A level II title is required in order to gain Champion status in rail cart competitions.
  • In order to receive a CKC Weight Pulling Title Level III, the dog must pull 75 times the dogs body weight.
  • In order to receive a CKC Weight Pulling Title Level IV, the dog must pull 100 times the dogs body weight.
  • Awards will be awarded for the Most Weight Pulled (MWP) for 1st through 3rd place in each competing weight class. If less than 4 dogs are entered in a class awards go as followed:
    • If three dogs are entered in a class only 2nd and 3rd place awards will be issued in that class.
    • If two dogs are entered in a class only the 3rd place award will be issued in that class.
  • An award for Most Weight Pulled will be given to the dog (non-champion) that pulls the most weight at this event. The winner of this award will earn a 5 point bonus. If a dog that has previously earned a CKC Weight Pull Champion Title is entered in this event and while competing in regular classes pulls the most weight, he will receive 5 bonus points towards his Grand Championship title.
  • An award for OVERALL WP/BW will be given to the dog that pulls the most weight, per pound of body weight overall for that days competition and 5 additional points will also be awarded.
  • Ties will be broken by the elapsed time it took for each dog to pull their final pull. If any two dogs that are tied for placing have the same times, then a final pull will commence between the dogs that are tied (in breaking the tie the 60 second time limit is omitted).
  • Placement and points (toward Weight Pulling Championship) are as followed for each class:
    • 1st place – 35 pts
    • 2nd place – 30 pts
    • 3rd place – 25 pts
  • In order to be a CKC Weight Pulling Champion the dog must obtain a 1st place win, a level 2 title in rail cart competitions (50 times the dog’s body weight) and a total of 125 pts (all points and placements must come from CKC Sanctioned Weight Pulling Events).

  • If a Champion dog competes in a Standard class that contains less than 4 dogs, and wins the most weight pulled title, a 1st place award will be given.
  • All champion class Weight Pulling competitions must be announced on the club’s event flyer.
  • Champion classes will be divided based on standard classes. At the judge’s discretion, classes may be divided into a small class (below 70 pounds) and a large class (above 70 pounds) or into one class should there not be enough dogs entered in the event.

  • In order to be a CKC Weight Pulling Grand Champion the dog must obtain two 1st place wins in champion class pulls under two different judges and a total of 125 pts (all points and placements must come from CKC Sanctioned Weight Pulling Events).

  • In order to be a CKC Weight Pulling National Grand Champion the dog must win the CKC Weight Pulling National Grand Championship.

For information on competing or hosting events contact

CKC Events Department at 1-888-CKC– 8042 or visit us at WWW.CKCUSA.COM

 

Continental Kennel Club, Inc. reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.


© 2006 Continental Kennel Club, Inc. All rights reserved.

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