Weight Pulling Rules
Weight Pulling Judges
Job Descriptions
I. WEIGHT PULLING RULES FOR RIGGE AND WHEELED RIG
A. Scope
1. In order that weight pulling contests be duplicated and weights pulled can become meaningful, the following rules shall apply:
2. The competition shall be open to all dogs over 12 months of age. There shall be two (2) classes of one-dog teams divided as follows:
Class A – Dogs 30 Kilograms and over in weight
Class B – Dogs under 30 Kilograms in weight
B. Surface
1. The surface for the wheeled rig shall be level and of the following composition:
a. Hot Top/tarred
b. Cement
c. Wood/plywood sheets under rig only
d. Gravel.
C. Vehicle
1. The wheeled rig shall be of known weight and be so constructed that the weight can be added incrementally.
2. The wheeled rig may have either 3 or 4 wheels.
3. The wheeled rig shall be used for all competitors. The tow line shall be 1, 83 meters plus or minus 15 cm with a heavy snap for attaching to the dog’s harness.
D. Harness
1. The harness shall be made of any design and material that will not injure the dog. Each owner-driver shall furnish his own harness.
E. Driver and Commands
1. The driver may stand or move anywhere within the roped off area while commanding or coaxing the dog to pull.
2. The driver shall not use bait.
3. The driver shall not use a whip, strap, or any physical means to get the dog to pull.
E. Qualification
1. The dogs shall be weighed before qualifications start by a person selected by the Event Committee before each contest.
2. Each dog entered in competition shall be required to pull the vehicle loaded to the qualifying weight 10 feet in 60 seconds in order to compete. If a dog has begun a continuous pull prior to his time running out, and the weight is still in motion when the 60 seconds has expired, he will be allowed to complete the pull over.
3. The timing shall be done by a timer appointed by the Club.
4. Qualifications begin at 9:00 in the morning and will be held open until 15 minutes before the contest begins.
5. If a dog has qualified twice in the same event season, he does not have to qualify.
6. Wheeled rig qualification weight for Class A shall be 227 kg.
7. Wheeled rig qualification weight for Class B shall be 182 kg.
F. Competition
1. Qualified entrants will be called to compete in the order that they qualified within their class.
2. Weight shall be added to the rigge or wheeled rig in increments with each driver electing to either pull the added increments or pre-specify at what weight he shall start pulling.
3. In the event the dog is unable to pull the pre-specified weight, he is disqualified.
4. Each dog entered in competition shall be required to pull the vehicle 10 feet in 60 seconds. If a dog has begun a continuous pull prior to his time running out and the weight is still in motion when the 60 seconds have expired, he will be allowed to complete the pull over. The winner being the dog that pulls the most weight in the least amount of time in each class.
5. If a dog is tangles in his harness or lines, the Judge may declare a re-pull. A dog turning around and going back to the vehicle shall return to its original position, the clock reset, and will be at the end of that particular class with the full time allotted.
6. Any equipment failure shall stop the clock and the entrant may withdraw and re-pull at the end of his class with the full time allotted.
G. Entry Fee
1. The entry fee for each dog entered for the weight pulling contest shall be decided by the Committee and announced prior to each event season.
2. Guests or members are requested to enter his dog at least 7 days prior to the event, no late entries to be accepted.
H. Prizes
1. There shall be ribbons, trophies, and/or sponsored prizes for the first, second and third place dogs in each class.
2. No cash prizes will be allowed.
3. All weights pulled by all contestants shall be recorded in the Club records by the Secretary.I. Other
1. Footholds for the dogs will not be allowed.
2. Handlers shall be allowed to assist drivers in hooking and releasing the dogs from the vehicle.
3. The weight pull area shall be roped off 4,5 meters wide and open at the end to provide a chute for the pull.
4. Dog food bags or other dead weight shall be used for weight.
5. The Event Manager will decide what time the contest begins.
6. For protest and disciplinary action refer to Section III, event rules.
II. WEIGHT PULLING JUDGE AND ASSISTANTS
A. The Judge for the weight pulling contest shall be elected by the Club.
B. The two assistants shall be chosen by the weight pull judge himself.
C. The Judge will:
1. secure forms to record each dog’s performance in duplicate, verify and list entrants with weight and class entered.
2. see that each dog appears fit and equipped with an adequate harness.
3. appoint stewards for returning rig to starting line and to help with crowd control.
4. make sure that the cart wheels is not stuck before each pull.
5. enforce all rules – particularly regarding handling, baiting, etc. No dogs allowed in the area ahead of the starting line.
6. record each dog’s performance in duplicate on forms provided, turn in one copy to the Secretary and retain one copy.
