New FCI agility regulations, still to be approved by the FCI general committee.
The changes are in bold.
Note that these regulations and changes will be applicable to FCI events and international events (e.g. AWC, EO, EOJ, CACIAg). National Cynological Organisations (NCO’s) should use them as a basis for developing/adjusting their own regulations, differing only to accommodate local needs.
The main changes:
– Both the approach towards the flat tunnel and the exit path from the flat tunnel towards the next obstacle must be straight.
– In trials at international agility competitions (including AWC, EO, JAEO, CACIAg), the SCT is determined by time of the fastest dog with the fewest course faults + 15% and rounded up to the nearest second.
– Electronic contact zones may be used as additional information for the judge only.
– Jumps: Rectangular or triangular shaped wings are not allowed – neither are filled wings.
– Tyre: The tyre must be able to break away into 2 to 4 parts when a force equivalent to a weight of 8 kg is exerted on it. Framed tyres should be phased out over the next five years, in favour of the safer, frameless tyres.
– Long jump: All the planks (but not necessarily the feet) of the long jump must be made of wood or safe synthetic material (metal not allowed).
– Flat tunnel must have an entrance of rigid or semi-rigid construction, the bottom is flat. The exit must not be pegged down.
– Tunnel: The tunnel has to be flexible and it is recommended that it should be made from a uniformly surfaced material in a light colour. Tube tunnels must always be pulled out to their full length. When securing the tunnel, the strapping or webbing must follow the contours of the tunnel and not cause it to become misshaped or its diameter to be reduced.
– If an obstacle has to be re- negotiated later on in the course, then it must be rebuilt in time by the helpers (no elimination).
– Dogwalk, teeter, a frame: the dog is considered to have left the obstacle when all four paws are on the ground.
– If a dog passes the top of the A-frame and touches the ground before having touched the descending ramp, the dog is eliminated.
– Long jump: Knocking down one of the units is penalised with a fault (5 faults). No other contacts are faulted.
– A refusal is given when a dog turns away from an obstacle.
– Specifically for AWC:
– The dog must be 24 months or older on the day of the competition to be eligible to participate at the AWC (also holds for EO, EOJ).
– Dogs entered in medium and small are measured at the AWC. If a dog is found to be entered in the wrong category, it will be removed from the competition.
– Before the handlers walk the course, the judge starts a white dog (that does not take part in the competition) to check the course. This occurs in each category. Bitches in heat start according to the allotted order.