The dog world is full of various types of competition. Most people are familiar with the Breed shows where pure bred registered dogs compete against each other to see which dog comes closest to the breed standard. Breeds of dogs are grouped into like breeds eg. Hounds, Terriers, Working dogs etc. The winners of each breed can then compete against other winners in their group and then other group winners for the 'best in show' award.

Other types of competition include:
  • Obedience Trials are for dogs who have reached a certain standard of obedience training and compete in various set exercises in the ring. There are three levels of obedience - Novice, Open and Utility. The titles gained are - Companion Dog (CD) at Novice level, Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) at Open level, and Utility Dog (UD) at Utility level.
  • Tracking where the dog must successfully complete a test track. Various tracks are laid for the dog using firstly the handler's scent, then unfamiliar scents. Two tracking titles may be gained by the dog - Tracking Dog (TD), Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) and Tracking Champion (TCh).
  • Agility is an offshoot of obedience. The dog works off lead and is required to negotiate a set of obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, dog walks, weaving poles etc over a set course with the handler encouraging him/her from one obstacle to the next. The dogs are times and incur penalties for failing to correctly negotiate an obstacle. The winner completes the course in the fastest time with the minimum number of penalties. A Novice Agility Dog title (AD) is gained when the dog gains three qualifications. There are also - Agility Dog Excellent (ADX), Masters Agility (ADM), Jumping Dog (JD), Jumping Dog Excellent (JDX) and Masters Jumping (JDM) titles.
  • Field Trials which are open to gundogs and are run under actual field conditions, either on rabbit or quail. Two dogs compete against each other under knock-out conditions. The aim is for the dog to find game for their handlers. Points are awarded for style, seeking and finding game, eagerness, control and retrieving.
  • Non-slip Retrieving Trials and Water Tests also for gundogs, simulate shooting conditions where a dead pigeon is used as 'game'.
  • Gundog Working Test is a modification of the more demanding gundog work in the field and is usually run in conjunction with an obedience trial or specialty show.
 


AGILITY TRAINING

 

The Club offers Agility Training on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings.

To participate, your dog:

  • must be at least 12 months old
  • be able to DROP, go DOWN and COME on command
  • have reached THIRD class
  • must wear a fixed collar with identification during training.

For more information click here.


  
  • Dancing with Dogs , no longer a demonstration activity, the RNSWCC now hold competitions in this challenging sport of ultimate teamwork.
  • Earth Tests are for terriers where the dogs are expected to find hidden quarry.
  • Sheepdog Trials are run for working sheepdogs. A dog must work with his handler to put three sheep through a set course negotiating obstacles ending in a pen, while keeping to a 10 minute time limit.
  • Lure Coursing is mainly for dogs in the sighthound group eg. Greyhounds, Whippets, Irish Wolfhounds, Borzois etc. The dogs work in pairs of two compatible dogs chasing a plastic bag dragged by a pulley and battery system around a course at speed. The dogs are marked on how closely they follow the lure.
  • Sighthound Racing which is an activity similar to greyhound racing where the dog chases a mechanical lure around a track. The dogs run breed by breed and are times over distances from 100 to 500 metres.
  • Carting is a new activity to Australia and involves draft dog breeds such as Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rottweilers pulling specially made laden carts over a course which consists of obstacles such as narrow passages and reversing sections.
  • Endurance Test where the dog and handler compete a 3 leg, 20km run or ride over different terrains.

It is wonderful to watch some of these events as the dogs thoroughly enjoy the work for which they are bred, even the first time they attempt it!

The controlling body in NSW for all of these dog related activities is Dogs NSW.

Last Updated: 1 November 2005 Contents © 2005 Northern Suburbs Dog Training Club


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