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DOG
DANCING |
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Rules in General:
· Dogs must be vaccinated and insured
in compliance with the Danish Kennel Club rules for the confirmation ring.
· Dogs competing must be at least 10 months old on the day of the competition.
· Each dog can enter one Freestyle class and one HTM (Heelwork to Music)
class per competition - the dog must be entered in the class it is qualified
for.
Levels :
· Class 1 is the Novice (Beginners) Class. Class 2 is the Intermediate
Class. Class 3 is the Advanced Class - and the Class where the Champion Title
is achieved.
· All dogs start in Class 1.
· To qualify for Class 2 the dog needs to gain 10 Qualifying-points
in Class 1.
· To qualify for Class 3 the dog needs to gain 10 Qualifying-points
in Class 2.
· To gain Qualifying-points (Q-points) the dog must be awarded enough
points to Qualify and be placed 1-5 in the class.
· 5 Q-points are awarded for a first place, 4 Q-points for a second
place, 3 Q-points for a third place, 2 Q-points for a fourth place, 1 Q-points
for a fifth place - points are only awarded if the dog qualifies.
· Dogs placed 1-5 in the class can not be awarded Q-points if the routine
is not Qualifying.
· Q-points are awarded to the dog - not the handler.
Qualifying:
· For a dog to gain Q-points their routine must gain sufficient points
to Qualify.
· For a dog to gain a Freestyle Challenge Certificate or HTM Challenge
Certificate they must have enough points to Qualify the routine.
· A routine can only "Qualify" if the dog achieves at least
60% of the available points in each of the categories "Presentation",
"Level of Difficulty" and " Music and Interpretation".
Champion Title:
· To be awarded the title Danish Heelwork to Music Champion (DKHMCH)
the dog must win 3 Heelwork to Music Certificates.
· To be awarded the title Danish Freestyle Champion (DKFSCH) the dog
must win 3 Freestyle Certificates.
· The Certificate is awarded to the best Non-Champion dog with a Qualifying
routine in Freestyle Class 3 and Heelwork to Music Class 3.
· The Certificate is awarded to the dog, not the handler.
· To be awarded the titles DKHMCH and DKFSCH the dog must be registered
with the Danisk Kennel Club (DKK) or another FCI affiliated organisation.
Danish owned dogs must be registered with DKK. Non registered dogs can be
awarded the titles DKHMME or DKFSME - the same as the Champion Title, but
for non-registered dogs.
Results:
· To be able to enter and compete at official competitions, a Heelwork
to Music result book is required to record points and wins. It is a blue DKK
Obedience Result Book with "HTM" marked on the front. The book can
be purchased from the DKK and all points awarded and Certificates will be
recorded in the book at competitions. A book is required for each dog.
Judging:
· The competition will be judged by 3 judges. The judge's points will
be added, then divided by 3 - in other words the average points of the 3 judges
will be the final score.
· The judge's decision cannot be appealed.
· One judge at each competition is appointed "1st Judge".
This judge will have the final word when agreement cannot be reached. It is
also the 1st Judge who signs the HTM Result Books, and who decides the winner
should the rules on "equal points" not clearly decide a winner.
· In any case of doubt, the judge(s) will have the final word.
Judging:
· The competition will be judged by 3 judges. The judge's points will
be added, then divided by 3 - in other words the average points of the 3 judges
will be the final score.
· The judge's decision cannot be appealed.
· One judge at each competition is appointed "1st Judge".
This judge will have the final word when agreement cannot be reached. It is
also the 1st Judge who signs the HTM Result Books, and who decides the winner
should the rules on "equal points" not clearly decide a winner.
· In any case of doubt, the 1st judge will have the final word.
Equal Scores:
If any teams have equal final scores (average of the 3 judge's points), the
winner will be:
HTM:
· The team with the highest score in "Quality of heelwork"
(average of the 3 judge's points).
· If still equal - the team with the highest score in "Degree
of difficulty, heelwork" (average of the 3 judge's points).
· If still equal, the winner will be appointed by the 1st Judge.
Freestyle:
· The team with the highest score in "Presentation of the routine"
(average of the 3 judge's points).
· If still equal - the team with the highest score in "Interpretation
of the music" (average of the 3 judge's points).
· If still equal, the winner will be appointed by the 1st judge.
Competition Rules:
· The ring must be at least 12 x 12 metres and at most 20 x 20 metres.
· Information about ring size must be available to competitors on the
entry forms.
· Before the handler and dog begin their programme, the handler must
acknowledge the judges at the table by bowing, curtseying or "nodding".
The dog can do a quick trick, but this should not take more than a few seconds
to complete.
· The dog is not allowed to be in costume or fancy dress. A flat collar
with a discreet decoration, such as a bow or scarf is permitted. If you are
in doubt of what is allowed, ask a judge before the class begins.
· The dog must be off lead in the ring.
· No treats ( food ) allowed in the ring.
· The handler is permitted to have a toy in his pocket which the dog
can be rewarded with - when the music stops.
Props:
· A " target stick " or a prop is the only thing the handler
is permitted to carry in the ring and must be incorporated in the routine.
· The handler must be able to carry/move the prop into the ring.
· No time will be allowed to set up props. It must be done quickly
within a few seconds.
Music - to avoid errors and misunderstandings regarding the music, the following
rules will be adhered to:
· The music will be presented on a CD to an official at the check in.
· It is highly recommended that there is only one piece of music on
each CD.
· If there is more than one piece of music on the CD, the cover must
CLEARLY state which music the handler will use.
· If a handler wishes to compete in HTM and Freestyle, the handler
must hand in a CD for each discipline (one CD for each routine).
· If a handler competes with several dogs, a CD for each dog and class
must be handed in.
· If the music is longer than the routine, the music will be stopped
when the handler signals the routine is completed.
Heelwork to Music:
· Heelwork to Music is, as the name suggests, "Heelwork to Music".
The routine must therefore consist of at least 75% heelwork. See the section
on the specific rules of HTM.
· The dog may not be more than 2 metres from the handler at any time.
Freestyle:
· There is no requirement to heelwork or other specific moves in the
Freestyle Class.
Disqualification - a handler and dog
will be disqualified if:
· The dog is on lead in the ring.
· The handler has treats (food) in the ring.
· The handler practises harsh handling.
· The dog relieves itself in the ring.
· The dog is out of control in the ring.
· The dog leaves the ring before the routine is completed.
· If the rules for HTM, Freestyle or the General Rules are broken.
Other things that will reduce points:
· If the dog barks continuously or for the greater part of the routine.
If the barking disturbs the presentation of the routine.
In general, the Rules from the Danish
Kennel Club must be followed.