Newfoundland Club of America Draft Test Regulations
Chapter One General Regulations.
Section 1 – Application for Draft Tests.
Section 2 – Duties of the Draft Test Committee.
Section 3 – Qualifications of Judges.
Section 4 – Dogs Eligible to Compete.
Section 5 – Dogs that May Not Compete.
Section 6 – Handling a Dog.
Section 7 – Test Disqualifications and Ineligibility.
Section 8 – Bitches in Season.
Section 9 – Unentered Dogs.
Section 10 – Entering at Own Risk.
Section 11 – Judges' Decisions.
Section 12 – Entry Limitation.
Section 13 – Entry in Team Division.
Section 14 – Qualifying Scores & Awards.
Section 15 – Change of Judges, Draft Test Officials or Site.
Section 16 – Stewards.
Section 17 – Test Area Conditions.
Section 18 – Spectators.
Section 19 – Emergency Provisions.
Section 1 – Application for Draft Tests
A Draft Test Committee from a recognized Regional Club of the Newfoundland Club of America (NCA) may apply to the Working Dog Committee (WDC) of the NCA for permission to sponsor a Draft Test. Application must be made using an approved WDC application form.
Application forms are available from the Draft Test Applications Secretary and the NCA website. The completed application and a required fee (payable to NCA) must be sent to the WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary. The application must contain the following information:
1. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Draft Test Chairperson, the Draft Test Secretary, and a third person from the test giving club. All must be NCA members, and one of the three must be an officer in the Regional Club sponsoring the Draft Test.
2. The Judges' Profile Forms, completed and signed by the two selected judges. Each Judge's Profile Form must be filled out in full, including the judge's name, address, qualifications for judging Newfoundland draft work, and individual experience with different types of draft equipment.
3. The written guarantee that steward assistance and all equipment (other than the equipment furnished by each entrant), and other necessary provisions will be available at the test site.
4. The certification that all NCA Draft Test regulations will be followed.
5. The date of the Proposed Draft Test, the test site address, and a description of the site including a detailed site map with descriptions of the ground conditions and terrain. The WDC recommends that Draft Test dates be coordinated with neighboring Regional Clubs to avoid conflicting dates.
6. The signatures of the Draft Test Chairperson, the Draft Test Secretary, and the third member of the Regional Club sponsoring the Draft Test signing on behalf of the Regional Club.
A completed application, along with a self-addressed, stamped postcard must be mailed to the Draft Test Applications Secretary a minimum of four (4) months prior to the date of the proposed test. The WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary will return the post card upon receipt of the application. The WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary usually communicates the WDC’s approval or rejection of the Draft Test Application to the Draft Test Chairperson within forty-five (45) days following the receipt of the completed application. When the Working Dog Committee is considering a regional club’s application for an NCA Draft Test, the committee considers any past violations of the Regulations at its previous tests.
Section 2 – Duties of the Draft Test Committee
The Draft Test Committee will act as the official representative of NCA and must enforce the Regulations. Any violations of these Regulations shall be reported in writing and attached to the Draft Test Committee’s report to the WDC.
The Draft Test Committee will print a Premium List and make it available to Newfoundland owners potentially interested in entering their dogs in the proposed Draft Test. The Premium List must include the following information:
1. The date and location of the draft test; a detailed description of the test site describing ground surfaces, slope and other features to help entrants determine proper equipment; and requirements or regulations specific to the test site.
2. The judges' names.
3. The entry limit, that there will be an alternate list if the entries exceed the limit and the method to be used for determining alternates.
4. The beginning date for accepting entries, which should be no less than ten (10) days after the mailing date of the premium list.
5. The closing date for accepting entries.
6. The approval date of the Draft Test Regulations being used at the NCA Draft Test.
7. A statement regarding entrant's responsibility for obtaining the NCA Draft Test Regulations.
8. The name and address of the WDC Publications Secretary from whom entrants can order the NCA Draft Test Regulations.
9. The name and address of the Draft Test Secretary to whom the entries shall be sent.
10. Entries must be made on an official NCA entry form containing the notice that a copy of the entered dog’s AKC, ILP, or foreign registration paper must be attached.
The Premium List must not be mailed before the regional club receives approval from the NCA WDC to conduct the test.
After the closing date for entries, the Draft Test Secretary will notify each exhibitor at least ten (10) days before the test. Notification must include: draft test location (including a map), judging time, judges' names, and any changes in the draft test information that occurred since the premium list was sent. If entries exceed the published entry limit, the Draft Test Secretary notifies alternates of their position on the alternate list.
The Draft Test Secretary will keep a copy of the current NCA Draft Test Regulations and Grievance Procedures at the test site for reference.
The Draft Test Chairperson and Draft Test Secretary must each submit reports to the WDC Draft Test Records Secretary within thirty (30) days after the test. The Chairperson’s report will include a description of the test, descriptions of any problems or complaints registered with the Draft Test Committee, and other information requested by the WDC. The Secretary's report will include the judges' report sheets, entrant evaluations, judges' evaluations, two (2) copies of the premium list, four (4) copies of the marked catalog, and any other materials requested by the WDC. The WDC Draft Test Records Secretary will send one copy of the marked catalog to the NCA Database Committee.
All required reports submitted to the WDC Draft Test Records Secretary must be postmarked within thirty (30) days from the date of the test in order to receive approval for a subsequent draft test. The WDC Draft Test Records Secretary may grant an extension provided he/she is contacted prior to the deadline and there is a valid reason for the extension.
Section 3 – Qualifications of Judges
The WDC believes that the Draft Test Judges should understand thoroughly draft work and the physical conditioning necessary for draft and other types of pulling.
Before the Draft Test Committee applies for permission to sponsor an NCA Draft Test, it must select a judging panel from the list of judges who have met the qualifications approved by the WDC and NCA Board. Prior to contacting the proposed judges, the Draft Test Committee shall contact the WDC for a copy of the list of approved Draft Test Judges and to discuss the suitability of the proposed judging panel.
Section 4 – Dogs Eligible to Compete
The NCA Draft Tests will be open to purebred Newfoundland dogs at least twelve months of age. The word 'dog' in the NCA Draft Test Regulations refers to either sex. All entered dogs must have an AKC registration number, ILP number, foreign registration number, or AKC or foreign litter number.
Section 5 – Dogs that May Not Compete
No dog belonging wholly or in part to a Draft Test judge or to any member of such person's immediate family can be exhibited under the judge.
Section 6 – Handling a Dog
Each dog or team must be handled by the same person for all exercises.
Section 7 – Test Disqualifications and Ineligibility
Judges must immediately disqualify and remove from competition a handler and dog for any of the following reasons:
1. The dog attacks a person or dog on the test grounds.
2. The handler deliberately interferes with another handler or dog.
3. The handler behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner in or outside the testing area. (Unsportsmanlike behavior includes: directing angry, abusive language at a person or dog; mistreating a dog; showing discourtesies to judges, test officials, stewards or others.)
4. The dog is lame or wears corrective bandages or other attachments.
The judges will mark the dog disqualified and state the reason on the judges' report for the WDC. The Draft Test Secretary will submit the disqualification to the WDC along with the test report.
Section 8 – Bitches in Season
Bitches in season may participate in NCA Draft Tests. If the Basic Control exercises are performed far removed from the other exercises, bitches in season may perform these exercises after the last male dog has finished and before the other exercises begin. Otherwise, bitches in season must compete only after all male dogs are judged. When not being tested, bitches in season must be contained in a designated area well away from male dogs and the official test areas.
Section 9 – Unentered Dogs
A Safety Officer will be appointed and is responsible for insuring that all unentered dogs are kept outside and away from the main test area.
Section 10 – Entering at Own Risk
Entrants participate in an NCA Draft Test at their own risk. Entrants agree to abide by the NCA Draft Test Regulations and the Constitution and By-laws of the NCA.
Section 11 – Judges' Decisions
At the draft test, the decisions of the judges are final in all matters affecting the scoring and working ability of the dogs and their entrants. The judges are in sole charge of the Draft Test area until their assignment is complete.
Section 12 – Entry Limitation
Entries for a draft test must not be accepted prior to the date when the regional club’s Test Secretary receives notification from the NCA Working Dog Committee of test approval. The Premium List must not be mailed prior to the Test Secretary receiving approval notification from the NCA WDC. Once approval is granted, the Draft Test Committee can determine the date it will accept entries, and the date shall be published in the Premium List. This date must be at least ten (10) days after the mailing date of the Premium List.
Maximum entries to be judged is fifteen (15) per test day. If a Draft Test Committee anticipates an entry in excess of its facilities for a Draft Test, it may limit entries to fewer than fifteen (15).
A prominent announcement of test limits must appear on the title or cover page of the draft test Premium List with a statement that entries in one or both specified divisions of the Draft Test automatically closes when the specified limit or limits are reached, even though the official closing date has not arrived. Priority will be given to entries that have not earned titles in the division entered. Titled dogs may be entered for judging (requalification) if entry limits have not been filled, and the entry form must state that the entry is for requalification. Under no circumstances can the published entry limit be changed.
Entries will be accepted by mail only. The entry slots will be filled according to the postmark date. If the number of entries with the same date exceeds the number of available slots, a drawing will take place to fill the vacancies and determine the alternates. All entries received after the entry limit is filled will be placed on an “alternate list” by order of those without titles, in order of postmark, followed by requalifiers in order of postmark. If absentees or withdrawals occur prior to the start of the test, the test secretary will substitute entries from the alternate list. When notifying exhibitors of their entry numbers, exhibitors on the alternate list will be notified of their position on the waiting list. Entrants who learn they will be unable to attend a draft test must contact the test secretary immediately so exhibitors on the alternate list may be notified. Entry fees will be refunded if the withdrawal of the entry is done prior to the closing date of the Draft Test.
Section 13 – Entry in Team Division
A team consists of two or more dogs working together in unison. Only dogs passing the Individual Division at a previous test will be eligible to compete in the Team Division. See Chapter 1, Section 5, for handler eligibility.
If a dog entered and passed Individual Division in a previous draft test, the entry may be transferred from Individual to Team Division by one of two methods:
1. The dog entered in Individual Division may be added to an already entered team.
2. The dog entered in Individual Division may enter the Team Division with a dog or dogs that have earned Draft Dog Titles (proof must be shown as described below for each dog in the team).
To transfer the entry, the handler must submit to the Draft Test Secretary a copy of the dog's Draft Dog title certificate or a signed statement listing the name of the dog, the date and location of the Draft Test passed, the judges' names, and the name and address of the owners. A change of entry from Individual to Team Division must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. the night before the test.
Section 14 – Qualifying Scores & Awards
For a dog or dogs to receive a qualifying performance, both judges must mark the dog with a passing performance for each exercise in the division entered. A dog receiving a qualifying performance in Individual Division is entitled to use the title "Draft Dog" in any Newfoundland Club of America activity. "DD" is the abbreviation for the Draft Dog title. Dogs receiving a qualifying performance in Team Division are entitled to use the title "Team Draft Dog" in any activity. "TDD" is the abbreviation for the Team Draft Dog title.
Section 15 – Change of Judges, Draft Test Officials or Site
If a Draft Test Committee is informed any time prior to the opening of its draft test, that an advertised judge cannot fulfill his/her engagement to judge, the Draft Test Committee will substitute a judge from the NCA WDC Approved Judges List. The WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary (or the WDC Chairperson in the event the Secretary cannot be contacted) must be notified immediately in order to approve the substitution. The WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary may be notified by telephone, mail or electronic means. This same policy applies to an emergency change of site, Draft Test Chairperson or Test Secretary. If the request is made by phone, a follow-up letter must be sent to the Draft Test Applications Secretary by mail or electronic means with a full explanation. The Draft Test Applications Secretary must notify the WDC members of the changes and reasons for the request. If time permits, a written notice should be mailed to all exhibitors.
In the unlikely event that a judge becomes ill or is unable to fulfill the judging assignment on the day of the test, and the WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary or Chairperson cannot be reached according to the procedures described above, the test committee may substitute an Approved Draft Test Judge who is in attendance at the test to fulfill the assignment. If an approved judge in not available, a qualified person with considerable draft test training and exhibiting experience (see Chapter Two, Section 1, paragraph 2) may be appointed by the Draft Test Committee to fulfill the assignment. The WDC Draft Test Applications Secretary or Chairperson must be notified of the substitution as soon as possible, and a full explanation for the substitution, including the qualifications of the substitute judge, must be included in the test chairperson’s report.
Prior to the start of the test or substitute judging assignment, the change must be posted. Exhibitors have the right to withdraw their entry if they choose not to exhibit under the substitute judge, and their entry fee will be refunded.
In the event a site must be changed, the Draft Test Committee should make every effort to secure a suitable site within 25 miles of the original site.
If, because of natural disasters, civil disturbances, or other acts beyond the control of the test-giving club, it is impossible to start or complete the test, no refund of entry fees will be made.
Section 16 – Stewards
Stewards assist the judges and they may act only on the judges' instructions. Stewards must not give information or instructions to owners and entrants except as specifically instructed by a judge and then only in such a manner that it is clear that the instructions are those of a judge. Any harassment of stewards must be reported immediately to the judges.
At least two stewards are required for all exercises. In addition, the test committee must provide a sufficient number of stewards on the Distance Freight Haul: two lead stewards to set a brisk pace, and one steward assigned to each handler and dog for safety and, at the judges’ request, to monitor handler’s compliance with the rules.
Section 17 – Test Area Conditions
The ring for the Basic Control exercise must be enclosed by ropes, baby gates, etc, be rectangular and should be at least forty by fifty feet (40' x 50'). The testing areas for the other exercises must be clearly marked (e.g. ribbons on trees, lime path on route, and so forth). Only members of the Draft Test Committee, judges, and stewards have unlimited access to the testing areas. Only the current handler and dog being tested are permitted in the testing areas.
At the judges' discretion, unentered spectators may be permitted to follow the last entrant on the freight haul course but are not permitted in other testing areas.
Section 18 – Spectators
As Newfoundlands working under natural conditions may be in places where there are extraneous sounds (such as in a parade or in a grocery store parking lot), spectators are encouraged to applaud and cheer for a performing dog. However, spectators must not interfere with the performance in any way. Judges may use their discretion to determine what constitutes interference.
Section 19 – Emergency Provisions
The Draft Test Committee should take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of everyone involved. It is recommended that the services of a veterinarian be available during a draft test. The veterinarian may be ‘on call’ if the office is within a fifteen (15) minute drive and a telephone is available at the draft test site. Otherwise, the veterinarian must be on site. First aid equipment must be available to handle injuries.
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