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2020 Revisions for the UKC Nosework Program

All changes will go into effect January 1, 2020

November 4, 2019

Source: Karen Shivers
Job Title: Nosework Program Manager
Email: kshivers@ukcdogs.com

We are pleased to announce the latest revisions to the 2020 UKC Nosework Program. You will find the actual rule changes identified in bold and italic text. All changes will go into effect January 1, 2020.

View updated 2020 Nosework Rulebook (PDF)

Nosework Rule Change Highlights:

  • Pre-Trials will no longer be required
  • Entry calculator is now available to help determine entry limits for eight (8) hours or judging time per judge.
  • Standardization of the number of hide Locations allowed with minimum and maximum limits for all Interior and Exterior elements per level.
  • Search Time and Element Time has been specifically defined for timing Nosework runs.
  • Hide height restriction on all regular type vehicles will be three (3) feet. Those designated as other than vehicle will remain at their respective four (4) and five (5) foot heights.
  • Allowance for picking up small dogs
  • Minimum ring size requirements have been reduced for all Container and HD elements
  • Alerts on entry/score sheets will only need to be listed for Master and Elite classes.
  • Holding at the hide reduced to three (3) seconds for Master Handler

In addition to the above changes:
Dogs that have earned an Elite Nosework (EN) title and have not earned at least one (1) leg in either a Master or Elite full trial will now be grand fathered as a Superior Nosework Champion (SNC).

Dogs can earn legs towards any of the Champion titles, as long as they have earned the initial Nosework title for that level. For example, a dog can begin earning legs towards the Novice Champion title as soon as the Novice Nosework title is earned, and the same dog can begin working towards the Advanced Champion title before completing the Novice Champion title (as long as they have finished the Advanced Nosework title). The tiles will be issued in succession (Novice through Elite). This means that even though a dog could finish the Advanced Champion title before the Novice Champion title, they Advanced Champion title will not be issued until the Novice Champion title has been earned.

Clubs will be able to schedule events in the following ways:

Each Nosework trial is considered as an event. A UKC club may apply to hold nor more than two trials per day. Applying for Events:

  1. Clubs may limit each trial to a specific number of entries or to a less than eight (8) hour judging day for each judge.
  2. Clubs may offer any combination of classes they choose providing entries do not exceed the eight (8) hour judging limit per day for any judge.
  3. Show hours may not exceed a total of twelve (12) hours per day including all classes and/or all trials.

We are very excited about the revisions and updates to the UKC Nosework program. A sincere thanks and acknowledgement to all the judges, individual exhibitors, and clubs who sent ideas and contributions for consideration as we move forward into 2020.

A Kalamazoo, Michigan-based company founded in 1898, United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. Celebrating the unique Total Dog philosophy, UKC events highlight the instincts and heritage of dogs that look and perform equally well, as more than 60 percent of its annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training, and instinct. United Kennel Club prides itself on its family-oriented, friendly, educational events, welcoming both purebred dogs and dogs of unknown ancestry.

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