CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Pre-Beginners
To compete in Pre-Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a First Prize in Pre Beginners nor gained a third place or above in any other obedience class.

Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the Sit and Down tests. In these tests at the discretion of the

Judge, handlers may face their dogs, Judges or Stewards must not use the words "last command" except in the Sit and Down tests.

The detailed tests will be:

(1) Heel on lead 15 points
(2) Heel free 20 points
(3) Recall from sit or down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to the handler, sit in front, go to heel—all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of Judge. Test commences when handler leaves dog. 10 points
(4) Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
(5) Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
(6) TOTAL 75 points

Beginners
To compete in Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a total of two or more First Prizes in Beginners Class, or one First Prize in any other Obedience Class, (Pre Beginners excepted).

Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except on the Sit and Down tests. In these tests at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs. Judges and Stewards must not use the words "last command" except in the Sit and Down tests.

The detailed tests will be:

(1) Heel on lead 15 points
(2) Heel free 20 points
(3) Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to handler, sit in front, go to heel – all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of Judge. Test commences when handler leaves dog 10 points
(4) Retrieve any article. Handlers may use their own article 25 points
(5) Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
(6) Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
(7) TOTAL 100 points

Novice
For dogs which have not won 2 First Prizes in Obedience Classes. (Pre Beginners and Beginners excepted).

Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the Sit and Down tests. In these tests, at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs. Judges or Stewards must not use the words "last command" except in the Sit and Down tests.

The detailed tests will be:

(1) Temperament Test. Dog to be on the lead, in the Stand position, handler to stand by dog. Judge to approach quietly from the front and to run his hand gently down the dog’s back. Judge may talk quietly to the dog to reassure it. Any undue resentment, cringing, growling or snapping to be penalised. This is not a stand for examination or a stay test. 10 points
(2) Heel on lead 15 points
(3) Heel Free 20 points
(4) Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to handler, sit in front, go to heel—all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of Judge. Test commences when handler leaves dog 10 points (5) Retrieve a dumb-bell, handlers may use their own dumb-bell 15 points
(6) Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
(7) Down 2 minutes, handler in sight 20 points
(8) TOTAL 100 points

Class A
For dogs which have not won 3 First Prizes in Class A, B and Open Class C in total.

Simultaneous command and signal will be permitted. Extra commands or signals must be penalised.

The detailed tests will be:
(1) Heel on lead 15 points
(2) Heel free 25 points
(3) Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled to heel by handler, on command of Judge or Steward, whilst handler is walking away from dog, both to continue forward until ordered to halt. The recall and halt points to be the same for each dog and handler. Test commences following handler’s last command to dog. 15 points
(4) Retrieve a dumb-bell, handlers may use their own dumb-bell 25 points
(5) Sit 2 minutes, handler in sight 10 points
(6) Down 5 minutes, handler out of sight 30 points
(7) Scent discrimination. The handler’s scent on a marked cloth supplied by the Judge. There must be a total of 6 scent cloths, this total must not include any decoys, but must include the cloth provided by the judge. These 6 cloths must be set out in a straight line, which may be in any direction. 30 points
(8) TOTAL 150 points

Class B
For dogs which have not won 3 First Prizes in Class B and Open Class C in total.

One command by word or signal is permitted, any extra commands and signals must be penalised. However, a simultaneous command and signal is permitted in the Send Away element of the Send Away, Drop and Recall exercise.

The detailed tests will be:
(1) Heel free. The dog shall be required to walk at heel free and shall also be tested at fast and slow pace. Each change of pace shall commence from the halt position. 40 points
(2) Send Away, Drop and Recall. On command of Judge the handler to bring the dog to the place indicated, set up the dog and stand upright. On further command, the handler will send the dog in the direction indicated by the Judge. After the dog has been dropped, handler will call the dog to heel whilst walking where directed by the Judge and both will continue forward until ordered to halt. No obstacle to be placed in path of dog. Markers, if used, must be stationary and contain no moving parts. Simultaneous command and signal is permitted but as soon as the dog leaves the handler, the arm must be dropped. (N.B. an extra command may be simultaneous command and signal but must be penalised.) 40 points
(3) Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge but which must not be in any way injurious to the dog (excluding food or glass). The article to be picked up easily by any breed of dog in that Class and to be clearly visible to the dog. A separate similar article to be used for each dog. Test commences following Judge or Stewards words "last command" to handler. 30 points
(4) Stand one minute, handler in sight 10 points
(5) Sit 2 minutes, handler out of sight 20 points
(6) Down 5 minutes, handler out of sight 30 points
(7) Scent discrimination. The handler’s scent on a marked cloth supplied by the Judge. There must be a minimum of 6 and up to a maximum of 10 scent cloths, the total must include one decoy cloth, and the cloth provided by the Judge. The pattern of cloths is at the Judge’s discretion. 30 points
(8) TOTAL 200 points

Class C
At Championship Shows, dogs must have won out of Novice, Class A and Class B and have won Open Class C on one occasion and have been placed not lower than third on three occasions, all Open Class C places and wins under different Judges.

At Open Shows, open to all dogs.

At Limited Shows, open to all dogs except Obedience Certificate winners and dogs which have obtained any award that counts towards the title of Obedience Champion or the equivalent thereof under the rules of any governing body recognised by The Kennel Club.

One command by word or signal is permitted, any extra commands and signals must be penalised. However, a simultaneous command and signal is permitted in the Send Away element of the Send Away, Drop and Recall exercise.

The detailed tests will be: