COMPETITIVE EVENT POLICY AND REGULATIONS
Revised March 9, 1994, October 8, 2000 and July 20, 2003 and April 14, 2005
Copyright 1988 - 2005 NAWBA
GENERAL REGULATIONS
These regulations shall apply at all NAWBA functions:
The Working Championships shall be conducted according to the rules and guidelines established by the NAWBA Board of Directors. Interpretation of these rules and regulations is the responsibility and right of the NAWBA Board of Directors.
Championship event judges and all other persons in any way officiating at any function must be approved by the NAWBA Board of directors. If tryouts are not feasible, decoys (helpers) for protection events shall be selected by the Trial Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
When working events are held under the auspices of another governing body, such as the AKC, NARA, the CRA, the CKC, AHBA, or a European organization, then the rules of that organization shall apply to that event in addition to applicable NAWBA rules.
Bouviers des Flandres entered in NAWBA events must be registered Bouviers des Flandres. Registration with the AKC, the CKC or any FCI affiliated kennel club is acceptable. The Trial committee, with the consent of the Board of Directors, can accept Bouviers with no registration papers on an ad hoc basis for performance events only. In cases of multiple breed entries in events sanctioned by NAWBA with or without another sanctioning body, separate placements and awards will be provided for Bouviers des Flandres and other breeds.
NAWBA membership shall not be required for entry into a NAWBA conformation or working event.
Neutered Bouviers are eligible for working competition and in the optional classes (Veteran's, Stud Dog and Brood Bitch, Neutered) of conformation evaluation but are not eligible for Select competition
The North American Championships shall be held in the months of September, October or November unless otherwise approved by the Board, and subject to other club regulations. (The NAWBA Annual Meeting is normally held in conjunction with the Championship.)
No dog may compete in a protection exercise or test before reaching twelve months of age.
In all events, any dog who in the sole determination of the judge is in danger of injury because of lack of conditioning or training will be immediately dismissed from that event only.
Any dog who in the opinion of a judge, the Trial Chairman, his representative, a NAWBA officer or a NAWBA Board member is at any time a danger to human beings or other animals or whose handler exhibits poor sportsmanship shall be suspended from that event. Such dog(s)/handler(s) shall be ineligible for further competition at any NAWBA function until reviewed by a committee made up of the event chairman or an alternate appointed by the Senior NAWBA officer present and two NAWBA officers or Board members and found fit to continue. Dogs not found fit to continue shall be immediately removed from the trial grounds and shall not participate in further events until found fit. No money will be refunded under any circumstances.
Catalog entries for all events and competitions shall include country of origin and registration number, breeder, sire, dam, owner and date of birth.
In all competitive events, conformation as well as working, there may be a separate, lower charge for dogs owned by NAWBA members, as determined by the Board of Directors. In the case of events jointly sponsored or conducted with another local organization, the lesser rate may also apply to its members.
Un-entered dogs shall not at any time be present on a competition field, and shall stay well clear when competition is in progress.
A dog is not eligible to be entered in any working or conformation event if a judge of that specific event or any member of his family has owned, sold, held under lease, boarded, trained or handled the dog within the current calendar year of the starting date of the event. For purposes of these rules, the words "any member of his family" shall include a spouse, a sibling, a parent or a child, whether natural or adopted, of the judge in question.
Dogs in any working or conformation competition must wear well-fitting plain buckle or slip collars. Slip collars of an appropriate single length of leather, fabric or chain with two rings, one on each end, are acceptable. Fancy collars, or special training collars, or collars that are either too tight or so large that they hang down unreasonably, are not permitted. There shall not be anything hanging from the collars. Dogs in tracking events may wear a collar and/or a tracking harness. In events governed by the rules of other organizations, specific requirements concerning collars shall take precedence over this regulation.
Awards for all events shall only be given for passing or qualifying scores. Events held under the auspices of other organization shall abide by their rules and regulations.
A copy of the rules and procedures for the Character Test are to be sent in advance of the event to all those judging, apprenticing, decoying, organizing, running, or acting as secretary. A copy of the rules and procedures for the Character Test must also be present on the grounds at any test.
NAWBA Titles
During the annual NAWBA Championship event and depending on the events offered, winners at the highest level of the specific competitions for that year's championships) will earn the right to use the following titles:
Event Yearly Designation Title
IPO/Schutzhund 2XXX NAWBA IPO/Schutzhund Champion
Herding 2XXX NAWBA Herding Champion
French Ring 2XXX NAWBA French Ring Champion
Mondio Ring 2XXX NAWBA Mondio Ring Champion
Carting 2XXX NAWBA Carting Champion
Conformation 2XXX NAWBA Conformation Champion
(other events as developed and to be added at the discretion of the Board of Directors)
Reserve Champions will be designated as the runner-up to the yearly Event Champions in the highest level of that specific competition for that year's championships.
REGULATIONS GOVERNING ACTIVITIES
IPO and Schutzhund:To be run according to applicable, NAWBA, AWDF and FCI Rules. Among those dogs whose completed entry forms are received by the Championship Secretary by the closing date, priority for places in the trial shall go to dogs holding IPO or Schutzhund level 3 title, then dogs entering for level 3, then dogs holding level 2, then dogs entering for level 2, then dogs holding level 1, then untitled dogs seeking the title of level 3. (Schutzhund and IPO titles titles shall be considered equivalent for these purposes.)
The NAWBA IPO/Schutzhund Champion will be awarded to the Bouvier and handler with highest qualifying score in the IPO/Schutzhund 3 competition.
Ring Sport:Ring Sport events will be run according to NARA, SCC and/or CRA rules
Herding: Herding events will be run in accordance with the rules and regulations of either AHBA, ASCA, AKC or CKC. NAWBA-specific events may be proposed by the Herding Committee and approved by the Board on an ad hoc basis. The NAWBA Herding Champion will be awarded to the dog and handler with the highest score in the most advanced class offered.
Carting: Carting competition will be held in accordance with the NAWBA Carting Rules and Regulations.
Other: Other activities will be run in accordance with the rules and regulations of the organization involved. All such events are subject to Board approval.
CONFORMATION COMPETITION
Conformation competition shall be "European Style," which means that each dog shall be evaluated and then an individual critique recorded for later publication. Classes shall be as follows, separately for both males and females
NAWBA Titles
During the annual NAWBA Championship event and depending on the events offered, winners at the highest level of the specific competitions for that year's championships) will earn the right to use the following titles:
Puppy Class Dogs from six months to one year of age
Youth Class Dogs from 12 months to 18 months
Open Class Dogs over 18 months of age
Working Class Dogs aged 15 months and over and holding an approved working title
Optional Classes
Veteran's Class Dogs over 7 years of age
Stud Dog/Brood Bitch with represented get
Neutered class
Working Class: Approved working titles for purposes of entering the Working Class are:
SchH A or above, IPO 1 or above, FR Brevet or above, KNPV PH 1 or above, Mondio Ring Brevet or above, and Belgian Ring Brevet or above. Others to be considered on an individual basis.
German Breed Suitability Certificate (the "ZTP").
Any first level or higher trial title (e.g., HTD I, HRD I, RLF I, HTAD I, ASCA Started, AKC/CKC Started; all titles must be earned on sheep, goats, or cattle) plus passing the Aptitude Test level of the Character Test.
Selects: After the class judging is complete, the judge chooses male and female Selects and Best of Breed/Best of Opposite Sex.
Eligibility requirements to enter the Working Class means that working class Bouviers des Flandres are automatically eligible to be considered for Select. In order for an Open Class Bouvier des Flandres to be eligible to be considered for Select, the dog must meet these qualifications: any of the titles listed for the Working Class or a performance title (e.g., obedience, agility, tracking, BH, SAR certification) plus having passed the Courage Test portion of the NAWBA Character Test.
To be awarded the rank of “Select” a dog entered in the Working Class must have at least a Sch A or above, a Ring Brevet or above, an IPO I or above, a KNPV PH1, a Mondio Ring Brevet or above, with other protection work titles to be considered on an individual basis.
To be awarded “Select” from the Working Class, a herding dog must have any first level trial title or higher plus have passed the Aptitude Level of the Character Test.
To be awarded Select from the Open Class, a dog must have any of the above or a performance title (e.g., obedience, agility, tracking, BH, SAR certification) plus have passed the Character Test with the Courage Test portion. (January 2005)
Up to the four highest placing working class males and up to the four highest placing open class males, rated "excellent" in their class, and meeting the requirements above, shall return to the ring. The judge designates four of these males as select and rank orders them according to merit.
Once the male judging is complete, up to the four highest placing working class females and up to the four highest placing open class females, rated excellent and fulfilling the requirements listed above shall return to the ring. The judge designates four of these females as select and rank orders them according to merit.
When the female judging is complete, the Select One Male and the Select One Female shall return to the ring. The judge shall designate one of the select one dogs as Best of Breed. The other dog becomes Best of Opposite Sex
Special AwardsThe following special awards may be given on a yearly basis. Decisions on these awards will be made by the Board of Directors. If no dog/handler, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, fulfills the requirements for these awards, they will not be given. Additional special awards may be proposed to the Board of Directors
Kokomo Award. This award is dedicated each year to the NAWBA member who personifies great perseverance in the attainment of an IPO/Schutzhund title
The Sheila Cronan Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the novice handler who achieves the highest passing score in Schutzhund/IPO I at the NAWBA Championships. A "novice" handler is one who has never before trailed a dog to an IPO/Schutzhund I title. This trophy fund began with the generous donations of Sheila's friends who knew what a passion Sheila had for encouraging beginners with their Bouviers in the sport. This trophy will be given in her memory as long as there are funds being donated for it.
Policy for Endorsement of Events
NAWBA may endorse events that reflect our desire to promote the Working Bouvier. Private individuals or clubs may hold these events. The organizers shall be responsible for everything pertaining to the event.
One member of the Event Committee must be a NAWBA member. Event organizers shall send details of their event to the Board, and the Board will hold a vote to Endorse or not Endorse the event. [The description of the event must include a statement explaining the benefit accruing to NAWBA for endorsing the event.] Voting may be by email or at the next Board meeting. Events endorsed by NAWBA shall be allowed to use the NAWBA endorsement and logo to promote the event and the event will be announced on the NAWBA web site. NAWBA assumes no liability for the Event.
Last updated July 2007
