Paws 2 Dance Competitor Rules and Guidelines

General Considerations

·       Competitors should be aware that members of the general public will be attending these events.  Competitors should be aware of the impression they are making with the public and act appropriately.  Sportsmanlike behaviour and proper respectful treatment of all dogs is mandatory.

·       Judges will consider the following when judging a routine: Difficulty and execution of movements, choreography, costume, new and innovative movements and the entertainment value of the routine.  Each routine will be judged by its artistic impression and technical merit.

Dogs

·       Any dog over 6 months of age is welcome.

·       Dogs must be healthy.  Any dog with a disability must be accompanied by a letter from a veterinarian that certifies that this dog is able to compete.

·       Bitches in season may not compete.

·       No dogs will be allowed in the audience area except when entering or leaving the ring.

·       No prong collars are allowed on the show grounds.  Training halters may not be used during the performance of the routine.

·       Judges may deduct for excessive barking.

·       Fouling in the ring or leaving the ring during a performance of the routine results in automatic disqualification.

·       Any dog attempting to bite any person or another dog will result in automatic disqualification. Other aggressive or vicious behaviour on the show grounds should be reported to the show committee.  This behaviour will be investigated by the show committee and dealt with. The team may be excused from the competition.

Competitors

·       Competitors are responsible for being familiar with and following the rules.

·       No physical or verbal abuse of the dogs will be allowed.

·       No food or anything interpreted as a training aid may be used in the ring at an official competition.

·       Props may be used as long as they are integral to the routine.

·       Dogs may wear a decorative coordinated collar and ankle bands if the handler wishes.

·       Competitors MUST clean up after their own dogs on the show grounds

Events

·       Timing of the routine begins with the first movement of dog or handler when the music is playing.

·       The routine must fit within the allowable time for the division +/- 10 seconds. This is to allow for variations in audio equipment.

·       Competitors may enter one or more routines with the same or different dogs at any level except for Masters and PreNovice/Juniors.  At the Master’s level, competitors MUST enter 2 routines with the same dog. At the PreNovice/Juniors level a competitor is only allowed one routine with the same dog.

·       The next team may warm up in the ring during the judging of the previous competitor. 

·       The ring size is 30ft. by 60ft.

In the Masters Division, competitors must receive a qualifying score of 8.0 out of 10.0 to be eligible for cash awards.