Shed Dog Rule Updates for Season 8 (2024-25)

All running rule changes and event policies effective May 24, 2024

May 7, 2024

Source: Domenick Muoio
Job Title: Field Trial & Hunt Test Program Manager
Department: Hunting Ops
Email: dmuoio@ukcdogs.com

In a continued effort to improve the Elite Shed Dog Series, we have rolled out some new rules, changes, and additional rulebook clarifications. These changes are based on competitor input, advisor input, and organizational input.

The advisory committee for these changes and additions consisted of Scott Kuchenbecker, Jason MacPherson, and Jeff Rada. Each one of these individuals possesses an abundance of knowledge on many of the facets of this sport. While you are always welcome to send the United Kennel Club your input directly on potential areas of improvement and rule changes, these individuals are another pathway for expressing your thoughts on ways we can improve the sport. Good luck this season!

All running rule changes and event policies are effective May 24th, 2024, and the new points schedule for youth will be effective for all youth events from the start of season 8.

Youth Handler Points:

12. The youth points exist only for the purpose of Youth Handler of the Year tracking and are as follows:
Youth Handler of the Year Points Structure

• 1st - 1 point for each dog entered in the youth class (1 X # of dogs entered)
• 2nd - 0.75 point for each dog entered in the youth class (0.75 X # of dogs entered)
• 3rd - 0.5 point for each dog entered in the youth class (0.5 X # of dogs entered)
• 4th - 0.25 point for each dog entered in the youth class (0.25 X # of dogs entered)
• Pass but not place - 0.1 point for each dog entered in the youth class (0.1 X # of dogs entered)

Note: We piloted the points schedule last year in the "Dog of the Year" running and received positive reviews. One topic that seemed to come up routinely was that it would be nice if the youth handlers were also rewarded for competing well against their peers. So, this year we have introduced a youth handler points schedule that rewards those young handlers for performing well against larger fields of their peers.

Running rules that apply to all Classes:

1. Competitors will start at a designated starting gate. A competitor may not leave the starting gate prior to their dog beginning the run. Dogs may remain on leash until released. No dog will be permitted to run while on lead. Once the dog is released the competitor's time shall start. Time will stop when the final shed is satisfactorily delivered in accordance with the class rules. Time will automatically stop at 15 minutes in both classes.

Note: Two clarifying points were made in the changes. First is to prevent handlers from leaving the gate first and the other clarification is to emphasize that dogs may not compete on-lead.

13. Antlers planted on the course should not be thrown or otherwise used as a reward during or after a run.

Note: While not abundantly common, it was brought up that handlers were throwing planted sheds after each successful retrieve which had the potential to affect the applied scent as well as potentially create areas of false scent on the courses. Toys that do not have antler scent on them are still allowed on the courses as reward for successful retrieves.

Course description:

F. In the event a naturally occurring shed is recovered it is eligible to be scored if it was found on the course. In ambiguous situations, err on the side of the dog.

Note: Previously this rule was lost in the literature of line "E" and now exists as its own line item. It also added clarification that the shed should have been found on the course. This clarification was added to emphasize good control of the canine competitors while running.

Host Club Information:

5. Monday or Friday events are only allowed a part of 3-day weekend events and must be adjacent to the weekend

Note: previously absent from the rulebook was clarification on weekday events. This new rule is set to ensure all events have consistent participation which maintains consistency in the titles that are awarded. This rule also by default prevents Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday events.

DOG OF THE YEAR POINTS CLARIFICATION

We have had a few questions about the scoring process for this year, so we wanted to give an example of how scoring will work with the added stipulation of how podium finishes earn the opportunity to count pass points.

The points factor calculation is as follows:

• 1st Place Finish - No. of dogs run in class multiplied by 1.0 = Total DOY Points For That Event; so a 30 dog class would yield 30 points for a 1st place finish.
• 2nd Place Finish - No. of dogs run in class multiplied by 0.75 = Total DOY Points For That Event; so a 30 dog class would yield 22.5 points for a 2nd place finish.
• 3rd Place Finish - No. of dogs run in class multiplied by 0.5 = Total DOY Points For That Event; so a 30 dog class would yield 15 points for a 3rd place finish.
• 4th Place Finish - No. of dogs run in class multiplied by 1.0 = Total DOY Points For That Event; so a 30 dog class would yield 7.5 points for a 4th place finish.
• Pass - Always = 2 points

Below, find a table with a specific example of the ranking for Dog of the Year (assume all events were 30 dog classes). In all examples, all dogs ran 8 total events.

Dog 1 earned 3 total podiums and 5 passes. Since they earned 3 podiums, only three of the five passes count toward dog of the year points (2 points per pass equals 6 DOY points from passes).
If this dog goes to the 9th DOY event, and podiums both days, then they will have 5 podium finishes and all 5 passes will count toward DOY points.

The purpose of the change is to bridge the gap between dogs who attend more events and dogs who have fewer opportunities to compete, but are still very elite dogs.

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Domenick at the email above or the UKC Hunting Ops Department.

Dog of the Year Scoring Example

DOG	1ST PLACE FINISHES	2ND PLACE FINISHES	3RD PLACE FINISHES	4TH PLACE FINISHES	PASSES	TOTAL POINTS	CALCULATION
DOG DOG 1	1ST PLACE FINISHES 2	2ND PLACE FINISHES N/A	3RD PLACE FINISHES 1	4TH PLACE FINISHES N/A	PASSES 5	TOTAL POINTS 81	CALCULATION 60 (2x 1st Place Finishes) + 15 (1x 3rd Place Finish) + 6 (3x 2 pass points)
DOG DOG 2	1ST PLACE FINISHES 1	2ND PLACE FINISHES N/A	3RD PLACE FINISHES 1	4TH PLACE FINISHES N/A	PASSES 6	TOTAL POINTS 49	CALCULATION 30 (1x 1st Place Finish) + 15 (1x 3rd Place Finish) + 4 (2x 2 pass points)
DOG DOG 3	1ST PLACE FINISHES N/A	2ND PLACE FINISHES N/A	3RD PLACE FINISHES 2	4TH PLACE FINISHES N/A	PASSES 6	TOTAL POINTS 34	CALCULATION 30 (2x 3rd Place Finishes) + 4 (2x 2 pass points)

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