All entrants must attend the Judges Briefing at the appointed time. Entrants who miss the Briefing will only be admitted under special circumstances and at the discretion of the Test Manager.
Purpose - To demonstrate a dog's ability to respond to the owner's commands and to safely pull draught apparatus over a long and difficult course.
Download the full 2010 NNC Draught Test Regulations in Adobe pdf format here Download Level 4 excercises in Adobe pdf format here
Please be aware of the Northern NC Statement in respect of the new 2010 Regulations. You can view the Statement in Adobe pdf format here
A Level 4 Test in progress
CONTROL SECTION Level 4 (Gold)
Desired performance:
A control course will be set in the test area by the two judges with the following elements:
Over a distance of between 200 and 250 metres
With changes of pace to slow and back to normal;
With changes of pace to fast and back to normal;
There will be a minimum of 9 turns made up from:
at least 3 left turns, (with at least 1 at each pace);
at least 3 right turns (with at least 1 at each pace);
at least 3 about turns, (with at least 1 at each pace);
a 1 minute halt (in the STAND position);
3 waits at a junction of 5 seconds each, (1 at each pace);
a random unexpected STOP while off lead; that will be different for each entrant;
a reasonably straight "back-up" of 3 metres;
a recall on the move from 10 metres, while moving away from the dog followed by 1 left turn, 1 right turn and 1 about turn in any order 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.
The second part of this section is a group down-stay of 3 minutes duration, in a group of manageable size (maximum of 6 dogs). The dogs will be within 2m of each other. The handlers will not be in sight or sound of the dogs, i.e. not being able to be seen and silent.
Scoring:
It is expected that;
the dog will wait calmly while they are harnessed
the dog will walk at the side of the handler and respond to their commands, thus demonstrating that they are under control;
45 points will be allocated for this section.
Points will be lost for:
general lack of control;
incorrect harnessing;
each time the lead is tightened to obtain conformity to the handler's wishes;
the dog not staying alongside the handler;
lack of control on turns, waits, stops, halts and the recall.
the handler adapting his pace to that of the dog
having to use a command more than once before a response,
the dog moving while in the stand stay;
distracting another dog or dogs whilst in the group down-stay;
Failure:
if the team lose more than 10 points in this section (at least 35 required to pass);
if the team does not reach a sufficiently high standard, then it will NOT be allowed to enter the next section of this test
if the dog gets up during the down-stay element;
if the dog leaves the ring
if the dog does not complete or is intimidated to accomplish the backup;
if the team does not show a pronounced change of pace;
Desired performance:
A manoeuvring course will be set by the two judges. It will cover
approximately 150 metres, and will incorporate circular patterns, broad curves, at least 2 rightangle
turns, narrow areas, a wait at a removal obstacle and will include as many of these as natural
features as possible. To commence the manoeuvring course, the handler will take the dog to the
apparatus, and when instructed will hitch it up. 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 get the dog to
pull the apparatus through the designated course, responding to instructions given by the judges
and/or safety steward This is to satisfy the judges that the dog can safely and capably pull the
apparatus on the following haul.
Only when this part has been completed satisfactorily they will be directed to wait ready for the next
part; failure to perform satisfactorily will mean they will not go onto the next part.
Desired performance:
This will be in a mixed environment (part rural and part urban or simulated) and will be over a
distance of 4 miles, with at least three changes of surface and at least two noticeable inclines
(about 10%) to ascend and descend. The overall length of the course must be extended in the
absence of these inclines. A load (which will be inspected prior to the commencement of this
section), a total weight of 20 kilograms, will be transported for 80% of the course.
During the course a number of obstacles (hopefully, natural) will be encountered; these should
include a gate, a right turn, a left turn, a series of fairly tight `S' bends, a ditch, a large gap, shallow
steps or other similar type obstacle and a designated reverse over 3 metres round an object (L
shape reverse). People and/or dogs may be used to line the route at various places and provide
one natural distraction. Other distractions may be provided by a revving engine or some other
sudden, but plausible, noise/event.
This part will be carried out in one or more convoys of manageable size, with handlers
accompanied by safety stewards and the Judges. The Judges will position themselves ahead of
the convoy at the various obstacles. On reaching each obstacle or set of obstacles the convoy will be halted by the judges and/or safety steward, and necessary instructions given. The dogs and
handlers will then negotiate them while being observed by the judges.
There will also be an out-of-sight stay of 3 minutes duration, handlers may leave their dogs hitched
or unhitched for the stay exercise.
Finally, each handler in turn will be instructed by the Judge to unhitch and un-harness their dog
before walking away from the test area in a controlled manner.
Scoring:
It is expected that;
the dog will wait calmly while they are hitched;
the dog will walk at the side of the handler and respond to their commands, thus demonstrating that they are under control;
the dog will respond to the handlers commands, thus demonstrating that they are under control;
at the end of the course, the dog will again wait calmly while they are unhitched and unharnessed;
55 points will be allocated for this section.
Points will be lost for:
general lack of control;
incorrect harnessing or hitching, unhitching or unharnessing;
each time the lead is tightened to obtain conformity to the handler's wishes;
the dog not staying alongside the handler; (unless the handler has positioned themselves to the back or the front of the cart and has instructed the dog accordingly).
The handler adapting his pace to that of the dog:
lack of control on turns, waits or stops;
having to use a command more than once before a response,
incorrect and/or unsafe loading;
handler holding on to any part of the cart or equipment unnecessarily to control the dog.
not assisting the dog over uneven surfaces, up hills etc, where deemed necessary
distracting another dog or dogs whilst in the group down-stay;
Failure:
if the team lose more than 15 points in this section (at least 40 points required to pass)
if through lack of handler safety awareness, the cart tips over
if the dog is dangerously out of control;
if the dog gets up during the down-stay element;
if the dog does not complete or is intimidated to complete the back-up;
