The full regulations can be read on the KUSA website. Below are a few interesting points related to Working Trials competitions:
Qualifying Certificates
1.3.1 Dogs are allowed to qualify for Beginner CD, CD, TDI and/or TDII at Non-Championship Shows. Only one qualification for Beginner CD,
CD, TDI and TDII at Non-Championship Shows may be entered on the Dogs Record Card and no Qualifying certificate will be issued.
1.3.2
To each dog that scores an aggregate of 80% or more marks in a Grade at a Championship Trial, the Judge will award a Certificate to the effect that the dog is qualified in that Grade. (Each Grade consists of a number of groups of exercises. The minimum qualifying mark in each group is 70% or, as otherwise stated. The total marks for the Grade or Trial must be 80% to qualify).
1.3.3
If the dog’s aggregate score in the Trial is 90% or more marks, the qualification will be graded “Excellent”.
1.3.4
The award of the qualifying certificate (graded “Excellent” or otherwise) is subject to the dog having scored any minimum qualifying mark or more for any exercise or group of exercises as laid down in the Schedule of Exercises.
1.3.5
The owner of any dog which has been awarded a Qualifying Certificate may use the abbreviation of the most senior trial achieved as an appendage to a dog’s registered name. If such a Qualifying Certificate is graded “Excellent”, the abbreviation “Ex” may be added. For the purpose of this Regulation, Tracker Dog III and Police Dog are considered to be equally senior and both may be used as appendages where applicable. In order to have qualifications placed on any registration
records, a copy of the relevant Qualifying Certificate must be submitted.
Champions
1.4.1
The title Tracker Dog Champion shall be awarded to a dog that has been awarded three (3) qualifying certificates with at least one (1) graded excellent, each by a different Judge, in the grade Tracker Dog III.
1.5
Registering and Eligibility of Dogs for Competition
1.5.1
A dog which is not registered with the Kennel Union of Southern Africa in either Breed Register, Development Register or in the Obedience and Trial Dogs’ Record shall not be entered for or compete in any trial. No Dog’s Qualifying Record Card shall be issued or be valid for any dog not so registered. Any alteration whatsoever to the dog’s Qualifying Card may only be made with the authority of the issuing officer or Secretary of the Provincial Council. Any alterations must be signed and the authority of the signatory stated.
1.5.2
No dog can be entered in a trial “Registration Applied For” (R.A.F.), or “Transfer Applied For” (T.A.F.) and the terms of Schedule 3, Regulation 7 apply, where applicable.
1.5.3
No dog may compete in a Grade, except Beginners Companion Dog and Companion Dog, unless it has been awarded a Qualifying Certificate in the preceding
grade as follows (except as described in 1.3.1) :
1.5.3.1
Qualified May Compete In
Beginner Companion Dog Companion Dog
Companion Dog Tracker Dog I
Tracker Dog I Tracker Dog II
Tracker Dog II Tracker Dog III and Police Dog
1.5.
A dog having become eligible to compete in a Grade may continue to compete in that Grade until it becomes ineligible as stated in the Schedule and Description of Exercises or until it is suspended or disqualified from competition.
1.6.6
Working Trial Record Cards
1.6.6.1
All dogs must be registered or recorded with KUSA before a card is issued. Proof of registration or recording to be given to the person issuing the card.
1.6.6.2
All competitors from CD upwards must have Record Cards.
1.6.6.3
The cards are to be issued by the Provincial Councils to Affiliated Clubs. Each card must bear a Provincial Council alpha indicator and be numbered and recorded in order to identify the issuing Club.
1.6.6.4
Affiliated Clubs are restricted to issuing cards to their own members.
1.6.6.5
Persons who are not members of an Affiliated Club should obtain their Record Cards from the Provincial Council of the Province in which they normally reside or when there is no Provincial Council, direct from KUSA.
2.3
Handler of Dog
Either the owner, or deputy, may handle the dog, but it must be one or the other. Once the dogs have commenced work, an owner must not interfere with his dog if he has deputised another person to handle it.
2.4
No dog may compete in a Trial unless it is over fourteen (14) months old on the first day of the Trial. No bitch in season may compete in any Trial. Spayed bitches and castrated dogs may compete.
2.7
Starting Time
All competitors shall be informed of the starting time for their Grade and competitors and dogs in each Grade shall be present at site of a Trial at least thirty (30) minutes before that time. The Judge(s) shall have discretion to postpone the starting time for any Grade and the draw for order of competition by not more than fifteen (15) minutes. Any competitor who is not present at the end of such postponement shall be regarded as withdrawn from the Trial and shall not be allowed to compete.
3.1
Knowledge of Regulations
All handlers are expected to have a thorough knowledge of the Regulations covering the Grade in which they are competing.
WORKING REQUIREMENTS
Enjoyment and willingness should be taken into consideration over a better working dog which shows fear and dislike of his work.
3.17.2: Gentleness and smoothness of handling is to be desired.
3.17.3: Commands and/or signals during “Stay” exercises are not allowed.
3.17.4: In the “Finish” the dog may proceed to the “Working Side” direct or around the handler.
3.17.5: Dogs must not anticipate commands.
Please see the full schedule on the KUSA site and remember - the onus is on the handler to know the rules.
Qualifying Certificates
1.3.1 Dogs are allowed to qualify for Beginner CD, CD, TDI and/or TDII at Non-Championship Shows. Only one qualification for Beginner CD,
CD, TDI and TDII at Non-Championship Shows may be entered on the Dogs Record Card and no Qualifying certificate will be issued.
1.3.2
To each dog that scores an aggregate of 80% or more marks in a Grade at a Championship Trial, the Judge will award a Certificate to the effect that the dog is qualified in that Grade. (Each Grade consists of a number of groups of exercises. The minimum qualifying mark in each group is 70% or, as otherwise stated. The total marks for the Grade or Trial must be 80% to qualify).
1.3.3
If the dog’s aggregate score in the Trial is 90% or more marks, the qualification will be graded “Excellent”.
1.3.4
The award of the qualifying certificate (graded “Excellent” or otherwise) is subject to the dog having scored any minimum qualifying mark or more for any exercise or group of exercises as laid down in the Schedule of Exercises.
1.3.5
The owner of any dog which has been awarded a Qualifying Certificate may use the abbreviation of the most senior trial achieved as an appendage to a dog’s registered name. If such a Qualifying Certificate is graded “Excellent”, the abbreviation “Ex” may be added. For the purpose of this Regulation, Tracker Dog III and Police Dog are considered to be equally senior and both may be used as appendages where applicable. In order to have qualifications placed on any registration
records, a copy of the relevant Qualifying Certificate must be submitted.
Champions
1.4.1
The title Tracker Dog Champion shall be awarded to a dog that has been awarded three (3) qualifying certificates with at least one (1) graded excellent, each by a different Judge, in the grade Tracker Dog III.
1.5
Registering and Eligibility of Dogs for Competition
1.5.1
A dog which is not registered with the Kennel Union of Southern Africa in either Breed Register, Development Register or in the Obedience and Trial Dogs’ Record shall not be entered for or compete in any trial. No Dog’s Qualifying Record Card shall be issued or be valid for any dog not so registered. Any alteration whatsoever to the dog’s Qualifying Card may only be made with the authority of the issuing officer or Secretary of the Provincial Council. Any alterations must be signed and the authority of the signatory stated.
1.5.2
No dog can be entered in a trial “Registration Applied For” (R.A.F.), or “Transfer Applied For” (T.A.F.) and the terms of Schedule 3, Regulation 7 apply, where applicable.
1.5.3
No dog may compete in a Grade, except Beginners Companion Dog and Companion Dog, unless it has been awarded a Qualifying Certificate in the preceding
grade as follows (except as described in 1.3.1) :
1.5.3.1
Qualified May Compete In
Beginner Companion Dog Companion Dog
Companion Dog Tracker Dog I
Tracker Dog I Tracker Dog II
Tracker Dog II Tracker Dog III and Police Dog
1.5.
A dog having become eligible to compete in a Grade may continue to compete in that Grade until it becomes ineligible as stated in the Schedule and Description of Exercises or until it is suspended or disqualified from competition.
1.6.6
Working Trial Record Cards
1.6.6.1
All dogs must be registered or recorded with KUSA before a card is issued. Proof of registration or recording to be given to the person issuing the card.
1.6.6.2
All competitors from CD upwards must have Record Cards.
1.6.6.3
The cards are to be issued by the Provincial Councils to Affiliated Clubs. Each card must bear a Provincial Council alpha indicator and be numbered and recorded in order to identify the issuing Club.
1.6.6.4
Affiliated Clubs are restricted to issuing cards to their own members.
1.6.6.5
Persons who are not members of an Affiliated Club should obtain their Record Cards from the Provincial Council of the Province in which they normally reside or when there is no Provincial Council, direct from KUSA.
2.3
Handler of Dog
Either the owner, or deputy, may handle the dog, but it must be one or the other. Once the dogs have commenced work, an owner must not interfere with his dog if he has deputised another person to handle it.
2.4
No dog may compete in a Trial unless it is over fourteen (14) months old on the first day of the Trial. No bitch in season may compete in any Trial. Spayed bitches and castrated dogs may compete.
2.7
Starting Time
All competitors shall be informed of the starting time for their Grade and competitors and dogs in each Grade shall be present at site of a Trial at least thirty (30) minutes before that time. The Judge(s) shall have discretion to postpone the starting time for any Grade and the draw for order of competition by not more than fifteen (15) minutes. Any competitor who is not present at the end of such postponement shall be regarded as withdrawn from the Trial and shall not be allowed to compete.
3.1
Knowledge of Regulations
All handlers are expected to have a thorough knowledge of the Regulations covering the Grade in which they are competing.
WORKING REQUIREMENTS
Enjoyment and willingness should be taken into consideration over a better working dog which shows fear and dislike of his work.
3.17.2: Gentleness and smoothness of handling is to be desired.
3.17.3: Commands and/or signals during “Stay” exercises are not allowed.
3.17.4: In the “Finish” the dog may proceed to the “Working Side” direct or around the handler.
3.17.5: Dogs must not anticipate commands.
Please see the full schedule on the KUSA site and remember - the onus is on the handler to know the rules.