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Nosework Rules Changes for 2020

Effective January 1, 2020

October 1, 2018

Email: performance@ukcdogs.com

We are pleased to announce the 2020 revisions to the UKC Nosework Program! Compared to the 2017 rulebook, the 2020 UKC Nosework Rulebook has been slightly reorganized so that information can be found more easily as well as clarified in many places. You will find all the actual rule changes identified in bold and italic text. These changes have been published in advance to allow exhibitors a time for familiarization. All changes will go into effect January 1, 2020.

Nosework Rule Change Highlights to Expect in 2020:

  • All dogs must earn their pre-trial qualifications from a UKC event. Certifications or titles from other organizations will no longer qualify a dog to enter a regular class.
  • Dogs will be able to earn Champion and Grand Champion titles within each Class level.
  • Elimination of High in Trial
  • New Handler Discrimination classes and titles
  • Reduced number of vehicles that must be used in Vehicle trials
  • Standardization of scenting hides
  • The Elite class will have an unknown number of hides
  • Elimination of "Full Trials" in 2020.
  • Elimination of Hide Official

Scheduling Nosework Events

The Nosework scheduling process was restructured to accommodate some of the concerns of our clubs and to help facilitate the new titling process.

UKC will be approving Full Trials under the current rules through 2019 but will not approve Full Trials to be held in conjunction with individual element trials. Clubs may offer up to two Full Trials in one day or may offer one Full Trial for Trial 1 and two individual element trials in Trial 2.

Any club who wishes to apply for a full trial or adjust what they are offering in 2019 may do so by contacting the office or emailing to apply. Any late fees (if applicable) will be waived.

For 2020, Clubs will be able to offer up to two elements in one trial. Clubs may also offer all four elements in one trial but to do so, may only offer one class. This option will be similar to offering Full Trials, except exhibitors can now choose which elements to enter and do not have to enter all four in order to pass. The complete set of options can be found in the 2019 rules for All-Breed Events.

New Nosework Class Champions and Grand Champions!

Dogs can now earn a Champion title in any class level they are competing in. For example, any dog that has earned the Novice Nosework (NN) title can continue competing in the Novice B classes to earn legs toward the Novice Champion title. Once the dog earns the required number of legs from each element it will become a Novice Champion (NNCH). Each class level (Novice through Elite) will have a Champion title.

To earn a Nosework Champion title a dog will need to earn a Champion title at all class levels. Grand Champion titles are now structured the same way. The complete details of how to earn these new Champion and Grand Champion titles can be found in the newly revised rulebook.

All dogs that have already achieved the Nosework Champion (NCH) title will retain their Champion status. Any dog may continue earning legs under the current titling system through 2019 to earn a Champion or Grand Champion title.

If a dog is working toward a Nosework Champion or Grand Champion and has not earned the title by December 31st, 2019, they will be grandfathered in at the new Master or Master Grand Champion level and will need to earn legs from the Elite classes under the new requirements beginning January 1st, 2020.

Dogs must have the EN title and at least one leg toward their Nosework Champion or Grand Champion title to be grandfathered in with a Master Champion or Master Grand Champion title.

Elimination of Hide Official

UKC will no longer be approving Hide Officials. Beginning January 1st, 2019 Hide Officials who are interested in becoming Certifying Officials will need to provide the following:

  • A letter of intent
  • A list of the assignments they have held
  • Any additional qualifications they have earned since becoming approved as an Hide Official

Email UKC with this information.

All Hide Officials approved to become Certifying Officials will also be expected to pass the Certifying Officials test.

After January 1st, 2020 there will no longer be a Hide Official designation. Current Hide Officials may continue to fulfill or take assignments through 2019.

Review 2020 UKC Nosework Rulebook (PDF)

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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