2018 RAFT MTG – ATTACHMENT 7a

RETRIEVING ABILITY TESTS FOR GUNDOGS - RULE REVIEW

QUEENSLAND PROPOSALS

2 Eligibility

2.2 Main and Limited Register Gundogs (including de-sexed registered Gundogs) and Associate Dogs of a variety accepted by a Member Body as a Gundog shall be permitted to compete in Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs in all States and/or Territories of Australia

(QLD) Proposed Changes 2.2

Main and Limited Register Gundogs (including de-sexed registered Gundogs) and Associate Dogs of a variety accepted by a Member Body as a Gundog shall be permitted to compete in Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs in all States and/or Territories of Australia

Dogs registered with a Member Body shall be permitted to compete in a Retrieving Ability Test in all States and/or Territories of Australia

(QLD) Rationale 2.2

Retrieving ability is not limited to Group 3 registered dogs. By bringing eligibility in line with the eligibility for Obedience Trials increasing numbers of competitors will be gained and wider exposure of the sport of Retrieving to those involved in active dog sports. Retrieving is already a part of requirements for Obedience Trials and can be popularised further through widening its appeal.

There would be no requirements in the Rules on the issues of either gun shyness or hard mouth (if current proposed changes are approved) and so it is unnecessary to restrict the sport to Gundogs.

General deletion of the wording “for Gundogs” will be required throughout the Rules, and the sport would be renamed “Retrieving Ability Tests” instead of “Retrieving Ability Tests for Gundogs”

This proposal would also resolve the issue of cross breed dogs being eligible to compete.

2.4 To be eligible to compete in an Open Retrieving Ability Test, a dog must have received three passes in Novice Retrieving Ability Tests or have gained any of the following Titles as defined in the Rules for the Conduct of Retrieving Trials for Gundogs (effective 1 Jan 2010) – DM, CM, QND, NRD, AARD, RT CH, Nat RT CH, Grand RT CH

(QLD) Proposed Changes 2.4

To be eligible to compete in an Open Retrieving Ability Test a dog must have received three passes in Novice Retrieving Ability Tests or have gained any of the following Titles as defined in the Rules for the Conduct of Retrieving Trials for Gundogs (effective 1 Jan 2010) – DM, CM, QND, NRD, AARD, RT CH, Nat RT CH, Grand RT CH

(effective 1 Jan 2015) – QND, NRD, RRD - but any dog which is also eligible for the RT CH or AARD title is excluded. (and if eligibility is widened in accordance with proposed changes detailed for Rule 2.2 then Obedience titles higher than CDX and Agility/Jumpers higher than Advanced should also be excluded).

(QLD) Rationale 2.4

Allowing dogs which have already competed so successfully in Retrieving Trials to having gained senior recognition as above, defeats the purposes for Retrieving Ability Tests –

PURPOSE:

“The Retrieving Ability Tests for Gundogs will primarily be undertaken at Obedience Trials or Show events to promote Retrieving. It is a test of basic obedience and basic retrieving with the dog working off lead. The Tests provide a way for handlers to demonstrate that their Gundog has basic retrieving ability.”

It also removes the concept of equity of viable or comparable level of competition.

6 RULES AND EXERCISES:

6.4 The ground for a Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs should preferably be a grassed area of sufficient size to allow for retrieves of 80 metres or more. Retrieving exercises should be conducted on an area that preferably is not closely mown. Water may be used.

(QLD) Proposed Changes 6.4

The ground for a Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs should preferably be a grassed area of sufficient size to allow for retrieves of 80 metres or more. Retrieving exercises should be conducted on an area that preferably is not closely mown. Water may be used.

Where possible, at least one run should include in or through water to indicate the dog’s ability to swim.

(QLD) Rationale 6.4

The ability to swim is an important part of the work of retrieving and should whenever possible be included in the assessment of retrieving ability

6.6 This is a proposed new rule

(QLD) Proposed New Rule 6.6

A Replica Gun to be provided by the Club (as Club equipment) conducting the event so that the handler may assist the dog at the time when the retrieve is cast in a meaningful timely manner, which would simulate a hunting procedure.

(QLD) Rationale 6.6

In observation at RATG events the procedure is certainly demeaning and sad to see, where competitors are guiding their dogs to the flight of the cast retrieve by waving their arms, clapping and verbally uttering “BANG”. The use of a replica gun will improve the conduct of these tests.

8 Definition of Terms:

8.5 Dog – Shall be taken to mean a Gundog of either sex

(QLD) Proposed Changes 8.5

Dog – Shall be taken to mean a Gundog dog of either sex

(QLD) Rationale 8.5

To be consistent with wider eligibility requirement if sport is not limited to “Gundogs” – refer proposal for change to Rule 2.2

8.6 Game – Shall be either pigeons or dummies. Pigeons and dummies can be provided by the club conducting the event. If the club conducting the event does not provide dummies competitors must provide their own dummies, however all dummies are to be approved by the Judge prior to judging. A Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs may be conducted on either pigeons or dummies, but not both in the same Class. However a club may use pigeons in one Class and dummies in another Class. Dummies should be made of a soft material, e.g. canvas or plastic, and be of a subdued colour. Dummies length should be approximately 25cm to 30 cm and have a weight of between 300gms and 450gms and must be free of all feather and fur. White pigeons and white dummies shall not be used.

(QLD) Proposed Changes 8.6

Game – Shall be either pigeons or dummies. Dummies shall be used. Pigeons and Dummies can be provided by the club conducting the event. If the club conducting the event does not provide dummies competitors must provide their own dummies, however all dummies are to be approved by the Judge prior to judging. A Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs may be conducted on either pigeons or dummies, but not both in the same Class. However a club may use pigeons in one Class and dummies in another Class. Dummies should be made of a soft material, e.g. canvas or plastic, and be of a subdued colour. Dummies length should be approximately 25cm to 30 cm and have a weight of between 300gms and 450gms and must be free of all feather and fur. White pigeons and white dummies shall not be used. Dummies may include replica game such as Dokken. When used, they must meet the criteria for dummies with respect to size, colour and weight." (dependent on Proposed change to Rule 8.5)

(QLD) Rationale 8.6

The use of replica game was approved in 2015 by the National RAFT Committee, but by deeming it a local issue. This should be standardised as the Rules should apply in all parts of Australia and having different Rules in different places can result in confusion and conflict. The use of pigeons has become unnecessary and acts to discriminate against competitors who do not have access to supply of these items for training.

8.8 Gundog – Main and Limited Registered Gundogs (including de-sexed registered Gundogs) and Associate Dogs that have been accepted as Associate Gundogs and placed on the Associate Gundog sub-register

(QLD) Proposed Changes 8.8

8.8 Gundog – Main and Limited Registered Gundogs (including de-sexed registered Gundogs) and Associate Dogs that have been accepted as Associate Gundogs and placed on the Associate Gundog sub-register (dependent on Proposed change to Rule 8.5)

(QLD) Rationale 8.8

Delete this definition

Not required if sport is open to all types of dog under widened Eligibility. This simplifies registration – no further requirement for an “Associate Gundog sub-register”. Refer Rule 2.2 proposed change.

8.9 Hard Mouth – A dog is deemed to be hard-mouthed when there is unmistakable evidence of any markings or damage done on Game retrieved due to squeezing, biting, or crunching by the dog. Where a dummy is used as Game, any dog observed by the Judge to be biting, chewing or excessively mouthing the dummy during the exercise may be considered to have Hard Mouth. The penalty as defined on the score sheet should be relative to the marking or damage.

(QLD) Proposed Changes 8.9

Hard Mouth – A dog is deemed to be hard-mouthed when there is unmistakable evidence of any markings or damage done on Game retrieved due to squeezing, biting, or crunching by the dog. Where a dummy is used as Game, any dog observed by the Judge to be biting, chewing or excessively mouthing the dummy during the exercise may be considered to have Hard Mouth. The penalty as defined on the score sheet should be relative to the marking or damage. (dependent on proposed change to Rule 8.5)

(QLD) Rationale 8.9

The assessment of Hard Mouth (or Extreme Hard Mouth) is not viable when dummies are used, and there is no requirement under the rules that pigeons be provided. There is no definition of Extreme Hard Mouth in the Rules, and so there can be no consistency in its assessment.

SCORE SHEET – NOVICE AND OPEN CLASS

(QLD) Proposed Changes Score Sheet (A)

Extreme Hard Mouth NO SCORE

Hard Mouth Up to 10 points (dependent on proposed change to Rule 8.5)

(QLD) Rationale Score Sheet (A)

To be consistent with proposed changes of Rules 8.6 and 8.9 where the assessment of Hard Mouth is no longer an issue in the sport when it is conducted using only dummies.

SCORE SHEET – OPEN CLASS

EXERCISE 1 Heeling 20-30 Metres

(QLD) Proposed Changes Score Sheet (B)

OPEN CLASS – SCORE SHEET

EXERCISE 1 Heeling 20–30 30-50 Metres

(QLD) Rationale Score Sheet (B)

Correction of typographical error:

Extract from OPEN CLASS Description of Exercises-

“EXERCISE 1” Dog to walk to heel for 30-50 metres approximately. This exercise is to include at least 3 turns at the Judge’s discretion.”