Book of Rules and
Regulations
Updated August 19, 2007
International Patterdale Breeders Association Objectives:
One objective of the International Patterdale Breeders Association ( hereafter referred to as IPBA) is to encourage and preserve the natural hunting abilities of Patterdale Terriers in above and below ground sport.
Breeds Recognized by the IPBA for Membership/Registration:
For the purpose of IPBA registration, the IPBA recognize Patterdale Terriers Only. As of January 1st 2008, No dog greater than a 1/4 outcross will be accepted for registration. This means that if you have more that one dog from the fourth generation forward that is not a Patterdale, ( IE Border Terrier, JRT, Lakeland, or other |Terrier breed, ) your registration will be rejected.
Breeds Recognized by the IPBA for Patterdale Trials:
Patterdale Terriers Only !
Breeds Recognized by the IPBA for Open Trials:
For the purpose of IPBA Open Den Trials, an earth
breed is one of the correct size and character to enter a nine-inch artificial
earth. The IPBA recognizes these breeds for competition in Open Den trials:
Australian, Bedlington, Border, Cairn, Cesky, Dandie Dinmont, Fell, Fox, Glen of
Imaal, Jack Russell, Jagd,
Any individual Feist, Rat terrier, terrier-cross, dachshund-cross or terrier of a breed mentioned above who is of suitable size to fit in a nine-inch artificial earth may also be entered in Open Den Trials. In the certificate class (open to dogs and bitches who have already earned a Certificate of Gameness) these dogs will compete for High Scoring in Breed against each other in a miscellaneous category. The miscellaneous category may be divided into short-legged (12” and under) and long-legged (over 12”) at the discretion of the trial chairman. For Open Hunting Trials (both in natural earths and above ground) and for above ground hunting tests the IPBA recognizes all of the above listed breeds and miscellaneous terriers.
Certificate of Gameness (COG):
This certificate is awarded to a dog that qualifies with a score of 100%, in 3 Open Class Events at IPBA sanctioned trials. The dog is required to travel a thirty-foot earth, reaching the quarry within thirty seconds (50%). The dog must then work the quarry, as defined on the Judge’s score sheet, continuously for a full sixty seconds (50%). the handler may give one command on release and then must stand quietly at the release point throughout the test. Time in the Open Class is stated when the dog is released. The dog may enter the earth, come out, and reenter providing he does not go all the way to the quarry. He is not penalized as long as he reaches the quarry within thirty seconds from time of release or breaking a timing barrier. Once the dog reaches the quarry he must not leave it; if he does, he receives no score for working even though he may return to the quarry. If the dog reaches the quarry within thirty seconds and worked the quarry continuously for a full minute, he earns his CG on conclusion of the third event.. The dog’s score sheets will be sent, with the trial report, to the Trial Secretary who will issue the Certificate of Gameness. “Work” is defined on the judge’s score sheet as barking, growling, whining, digging, biting at the cage, lunging at the cage, and/or a frozen, concentrated, focused stare ( Note for Judges: when a terrier is doing concentrated staring, the focus of the terrier must be tested by moving the rat cage which should result in a favorable reaction from the terrier if it is working.) Any definite break in work marks the dog’s time, even though he starts up again, this does not mean a natural change from one type of work to another.
Note: Prior to moving up to open class, each dog must have at least three (3) 100% scores in the 10 foot novice class tunnel. These must be from at least 2 different events, and not earned on a single weekend event. This insures that the dog is willing and able to work consistantly in the manor perscribed in the IPBA Rules & Regulations.
Working Certificate (WC):
Awarded to dogs whose owners are IPBA Members in good standing at the time of qualifying work. A terrier or dachshund can earn a WC to each of the following quarry worked in a natural earth: woodchuck, fox, raccoon, badger, aggressive possum, and other quarry found acceptable by the Board of Directors on review of an application submitted by a member for earthwork done to that quarry. This does not include work in a drain or otherwise man-made earth. The dog must enter the earth without assistance. If the dog is actively marking a restricted or impeded entrance to an earth, removing a restriction, such as a stone or root, is allowed. However, no further assistance, alteration or enlargement of the entrance to the den is permitted. The dog must enter far enough to be completely out of sight when a person is looking down the hole. The dog must locate the quarry in the earth completely on its own without encouragement (dog or human) . Simple verbal communication from the handler to the dog is allowed. Loud, frenzied, or excited verbal encouragement intended to work-up the dog is not allowed. The dog must work alone (only one dog in the earth), must work down to the quarry and cause it to bolt, or draw it from the earth. If the quarry does not bolt or is not drawn, the terrier or dachshund must work in a manner sufficient to allow diggers to locate and dig to the quarry. There is to be no doubt that the dog is right up to the quarry while marking. A visual positive identification of the quarry is required.
The terrier or dachshund must work by the above rules and another IPBA member must witness the dog’s work. A WC application, which includes a written, detailed report of the hunt, bearing the signatures of both the owner(s) who were present and at least one witness, along with the filing fee ($5.00) must be sent to the Hunting and Working Certificate Secretary. The WC application must be submitted within one year of the hunt. The H& WC Secretary will send a copy of the report to each of the Board of Directors for their review and approval. A unanimous approval is required to award the Working Certificate. Reason(s) for disapproval will be sent to the person requesting an evaluation. When more than one person owns a dog, the only name(s) that will appear on the working certificate are those of the owner(s) who were present when the certificate was earned.
Hunting Certificate
(HC):
Awarded only to dogs whose owners are IPBA members in good standing during the entire period of qualifying work. Dogs can earn a hunting certificate (HC) for hunting above ground and/or drawing quarry from the earth. Certificates will be awarded to either a specific quarry or multiple quarry. This certificate is issued to dogs regularly used for hunting above ground quarry such as rabbits, squirrels, opossums, rats, raccoons, muskrats, mongoose, feral pigs or for flushing and /or retrieving upland birds, for dogs used to draw quarry (woodchuck, fox, raccoon, badger, opossum, etc.) at the end of a dig in connection with earthwork and for working quarry below ground that do not qualify for a WC such as rabbits, armadillos, etc. The dog must search for and locate the game. Draw dogs must draw the quarry from an opened earth at the end of a dig bringing the quarry into the open. The game must be killed by the dog or taken using another legal hunting method. A dog must spend a full season hunting before a certificate is issued. A season is whatever time is allowed by state hunting regulations when the species is controlled by state game laws or one full year if the species is not controlled by game laws. An IPBA member or combination of members must have witnessed the dog hunting on at least six occasions and attest that it is used regularly for hunting.
An HC application which includes a written,
detailed report describing your dachshund’s or terrier’s hunting experience,
bearing the signatures of the owner(s) who hunted the dog and at least one
witness, along with a five dollar ($5.00) filing fee must be sent to the Hunting
and Working Certificate Secretary. The H & WC Secretary will send a copy of
the report to each of the Board of Directors for their review and approval. A
unanimous approval is required to award the Hunting Certificate. Reasons(s) for
disapproval will be sent to the person requesting the evaluation. When more than
one person owns a dog, the only name(s) that will appear on the hunting
certificate are those of the owner(s) who actually hunted with the
dog.
Veteran Earthdog Award:
Awarded to dogs whose owners are IPBA members in good standing during the entire period of qualifying work. When applied for by the owner, this award is for the earthdog that has accumulated 5 WCs (one HC can be substituted for a WC). The award for the Veteran Earthdog will be a special frame that will be appropriate for the documentation of the Veteran Earthdog Award but could be used also for a picture of the earthdog.
IPBA Earthworker
Award:
Awarded to IPBA members in good standing
who have accumulated 5 WC's (one HC can be substituted for a WC) on 5 different earthdogs. The award for the IPBA Earthworker will be an English digging shovel
with the IPBA logo burned onto the shaft. NOTE: Applications for Working or
Hunting Certificates from new members will not be accepted by the Hunting and
Working Certificate Secretary until 30 days after the membership application is
received by the Recording Secretary. This will allow time for the new membership
to be processed and the member’s name to be added to the membership roster so
that the H&WC Secretary can verify the membership status of the WC/HC
applicant. The same 30 day processing period also applies to the witness for a
WC/HC.
General Information:
IPBA trials may be open to all eligible breeds, or a single breed for specialty trials. IPBA trials may be held concurrently with other events provided that the approval of the Board of Directors has been obtained in advance. Concurrent events must not interfere with the smooth running of the IPBA trial. Saturday/Sunday (back to back) trials may be held. In that event, the earths must be in different locations and preferably at separate sites. The same judge may not judge the same class at both trials. Judge / Representatives and Chairmen will be held responsible for any infraction of the IPBA rules as stated in this book of rules and procedures. When Judges and Chairmen are at fault for not upholding the rules or are found guilty of misconduct by the Board of Directors, they will not be sanctioned to act as judges or chairmen for a minimum period of one year. The exact length of probation will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Waivers to these rules: The Board of Directors’ approval must be received in advance of any planned deviations. No bitch in season may be entered. Judge’s dogs or co-owned dogs may be entered at the trial, if another IPBA approved judge is available to judge them. Judges may not chair trials at which they are judging. Seniority rights for long-standing trial dates will persist from year to year and new groups will have to honor these dates.
Sponsorship Of Trials :
Entry Fee: The IPBA will collect $5 per dog entered in the trial. This means $5 per dog per entry. When a dog moves up to Open from a Novice class, the IPBA will again collect $3 from that entry fee. The IPBA will collect $3 per dog entered directly in the Certificate Class. Pre-entries absent from the trial will be included in the $3 per dog owed the IPBA. The sponsoring group may charge any price they feel is appropriate.
Application Fee:
A deposit of $50.00 will be sent to the IPBA Trial Secretary. See the current Gone to Ground for the name and address of the Trial Secretary.
Once the trial is approved the IPBA will provide:
1) Official IPBA Rulebook
2) IPBA Official Score Sheets (substitutes not allowed)
3) List of IPBA approved judges
4) Blank entry forms (Trial sponsor will make as many copies as are needed.)
5) Appropriate IPBA forms, which must be filled
out by the Trial Chairman and the Judge the day of the
trial and returned to the IPBA Trial Secretary within seven days following the
trial.
6) Ribbons for Novice A,
Novice B, Open, and Certificate classes.
7) Trophies or Certificates for each dog receiving its Certificate of Gameness. Trophies or Certificates will be shipped to the Chairman and must be requested several weeks prior to the trial. Chairman will return unused trophies (IPBA will pay this postage). Note: Canadian groups are responsible for customs charges and are encouraged to find alternative ways for trophy distribution.
8) Insurance will be covered by the hosting organization, and the IPBA will be held free of blame or litigation for any and all events, mishaps or accidents.
How a group is
sanctioned:
IPBA trials may be held wherever enough support is indicated. Interested groups must have a Chairman or Member who is an IPBA member in good standing. Groups that want IPBA sanctioning for a trial must provide the IPBA Trial Secretary with a completed application at least three months prior to the planned date of the trial.
First time trials will have a judge appointed by the Board of Directors. The judge’s expenses will be agreed upon in advance and the IPBA will pick up any of the judge’s expenses that the sponsoring group cannot meet. This will only be done for a first time trial only.
Judges and Trial Chairmen must have the official IPBA Rule Book at trials where they are officiating. IPBA Sanctioning of a trial will be discontinued, either temporarily or permanently, if the trial committee fails to follow IPBA rules explicitly.
Judges / Representatives :
These officials must be on the IPBA approved list of judges. The individual Trial Chairperson will select a Judge except when this is the Chairman’s first trial or the Chairman has previously been on suspension. In such cases the IPBA may make the appointment. The Judge, in addition to his judging assignment, will officially represent the IPBA and will submit a full report to the IPBA Trial Secretary on the Judge’s Trial Report form, within 7 days following the trial. If the Judge finds any infractions of the IPBA rules or procedures, the Trial Chairman will be held responsible for correcting the infraction and the Board of Directors will take disciplinary action. The Judge must refuse to allow the trial to proceed unless all IPBA rules and procedures are properly enforced.
Judges are allowed to charge for the following expenses:
1. Per mile expenses for travel to and from the trial on a direct route at the rate currently approved by the Board of Directors.
2. Tolls
3. Public transportation charges. This should be the most reasonable form of transportation based on time and cost factors.
4. The Trial Chairman is to provide, at not cost to the IPBA, lodging for the judge or a trial committee person, and meals at the trial when judging.
5. Judges must estimate their expenses when contacted about the assignment. Chairmen should then cross-check the estimation.
6. Judges are not to charge any additional fees.
Judges should hold an orientation, just prior to judging, with first-time handlers and interested spectators at the judging area to go over the rules and procedures and answer questions. Following the judging, the Judge (or someone appointed by the Judge) should hold a training clinic for novice dogs and their handlers. At any given trial all final decisions are the responsibility of the Judge / Representative who will see that all IPBA rules are enforced.
If a Judge / Representative is in violation of any IPBA rule it is the responsibility of the Trial Chairman to report it to the Board of Directors within two weeks following the trial. Any IPBA member may report to the Board of Directors any violations or misconduct of the Judge or Chairman within two weeks following the trial.
At the end of the trial the Judge / Representative will meet with the trial committee to discuss the operation of the trial, give an evaluation of the trial, and review in a positive manner any aspect of the trial that might be improved upon in the future. The Judge will count all entries and submit a full report to the IPBA Trial Secretary on the Judge’s Report form within seven days following the trial.
Judges
Qualifications:
An IPBA Judge must be supportive of the goals of the IPBA, must understand natural earthwork, and must be familiar with the IPBA den trial rules and den trial judging procedures.
To earn certification as an IPBA Judge the applicant should:
1. Apprentice with three different judges over a period of at least one year. Each of the Judges is required to fill out the Apprentice Evaluation. Only two persons may apprentice per trial.
2. Actively and regularly hunt his/her dog(s) in natural and artificial earths and should have a WC for at least one of his/her dogs.
3. Submit a letter of application to the Secretary with a copy of the WC and the names and places where they apprenticed.
4. Be approved by the Board of Directors who will receive all the information and make the final decision. Alternatively, a candidate who does not meet the above requirements may submit a letter of application that states what requirements have and have not been met, why a requirement cannot or has not been met, and includes other relevant experience that demonstrates the applicant’s suitability to be certified as an IPBA judge. The Board of Directors after reviewing the application can accept it, reject it, or make certification contingent on strengthening any perceived weakness in the application.
Trial Committee:
A committee made up of at least the following people shall be responsible for the trial’s organization and operation:
1. Trial Chairman who is an IPBA member in good
standing and who will be held responsible for strict
adherence to the
IPBA Rules and Regulations as set forth in this Rule Book.
2. Secretary/Gatekeeper
3. Den Steward
4. Den Master
5. Judge’s Steward
Responsibilities Of Each Committee MemberTrial Chairman:
Pick a date and site and send the completed Trial Request form to the IPBA Trial Secretary no later than January 1 for a repeat trial; or three months prior to the trial date for a new trial. Include a map of the site location with the trial request form. Make arrangements for use of site. Restrooms should be available nearby, if possible; if not, port-a-johns may be rented and paid for by the trial group, not IPBA. With help from the trial committee, the Chairman will oversee the execution of the following:
1. Appoint a trial committee and instruct each member of his duties.
2. Prepare a flyer to advertise the trial. List entry fees and any pre-entry or gate entry losing dates, in the trial flyer.
3. Receive all entries.
4. Dig earths unless a permanent earth is being used If a permanent earth is being used it must be checked for safety and the depth and width verified to be approximately 9 inches. A backhoe may be hired and paid for by the trial group, not IPBA.
5. Post parking signs, IPBA Terrier Trial signs at strategic points and holding area sign.
6. Fence off judging area. Snow fencing, rope and stakes, etc. may be used.
7. Construct wooden liners exactly to IPBA specifications. The cost is assumed by the trial group.
8. Prepare the earths.
9. Provide officials with identifying badges or cards.
10. Have the following on hand: Quarry (two rats), Shovels -four at least ,Clipboards-two Pencils Stopwatch, Squeeze or spray bottle or small cloth drag with rat scent, Fencing or rope and stakes for the judging area, Cash and cash box Score sheets, trophies and ribbons (will be sent by IPBA Trial Secretary)
11. Make out score sheets and arrange in running order by number on the judge’s clipboard.
12. Provide the gatekeeper with a list of entries and the owners.
13. Post running order of entries by class in the holding area.
14. Send score sheets of the dogs that placed, and full name of dog and its owner’s name and address for each dog earning a Certificate of Gameness to the IPBA Trial Secretary within seven days following the trial. Postage is to be paid by the trial giving group, not the IPBA.
Secretary/Gatekeeper:
At trials with large entries the Gate Steward will need one or two assistants. They should be set up at least one hour before the scheduled starting time.
They will do the following:
1. Get entries onto score sheets and to the Den
Steward to include in the running order.
2. Collect entry fee
and make out score sheet for each dog qualifying in the Novice Class for
Open Class. (A dog earning a Certificate of Gameness receives a
complimentary entry for the Certificate Class at that day’s trial only.)
3. Total receipts and complete other paperwork at the end of the trial with the Chairman.
Den
Steward:
The Den Steward will assist in getting the trial site ready for operation. During the judging the Den Steward will call each entry into the den area, call the next entry into the holding area (the next three dogs will be in the holding area), will keep all other dogs away from the judging area, and keep all persons (except the Judge, Judge’s Apprentice (if there is one), Judge’s Steward, Den Steward, and Den Master) out of the judging area. Since the Den Steward’s work is vital to the smooth operation of a trial, only a competent person should be assigned to the job.
Den
Master:
The Den Master will be in charge of the welfare of
the quarry and for having adequate scent prepared and ready for use during the
judging. This person will scent the den during the trial only at the direction
of the judge and otherwise will remain at a discreet distance from the den. The
scent should be prepared the day before the trial by mixing water with rat
litter. The Den Master may be asked to conduct the training session that
immediately follows the trial. The Den Master also may be approved by the IPBA
to act as an apprentice to the Judge. This must in no way interfere with the
smooth operation of the judging procedure.
Judge’s Steward (optional):
The Judge’s Steward will quietly stay beside the Judge and record with a stopwatch the time for each part of the test. He then gives the time to the judge who records it on the score sheet. He will signal the Den Steward to call the next entry to the judging area. The Judge’s Steward should not talk to the Judge unless the Judge directs comments to him. It is the Judge’s prerogative to confer with his Steward at any point. A Judge has the option of keeping his own time. In that case the Judge’s Steward stays back out of the way but ready to assist the Judge if asked. The Judge’s Steward may be asked to conduct the training session that immediately follows the trial. A Judge’s Steward may be approved by the IPBA to act as an apprentice to the Judge. This must in no way interfere with the smooth operation of the judging procedure.
QUARRY:
The quarry, for all classes at an IPBA sanctioned
den trial, are caged rats. Rats may be purchased through most pet stores. Allow
plenty of time in case they have to be ordered. Do not order young rats. Specify
the need for fully mature rats and use males, if possible. Two rats are
required. Humane treatment of the quarry is mandatory. After the trial the rats
can sometimes be returned to the place of purchase. Note: Trials held in the
PREPARING THE EARTHS FOR THE
TRIAL:
The location of both the Novice and Open/Certificate judging areas should be selected to reasonably minimize distractions. Two separate earths with the entrances at least 40-feet apart will be prepared before the trial. One earth will be for the Novice Classes and one for the Open and Certificate Classes. Earths are to be dug in the actual ground. Once prepared every precaution should be taken to keep all dogs away from the earths. No pre-trial practice is to take place at the trial site. On the morning of the trial the Den Steward will scent the earths, with the Chairman and Judge observing. Alternatively the judge may elect to do the scenting of the earths. One scenting procedure is to lightly soak a small cloth rag with rat scent and drag it through the tunnels so it touches the ground from the entrance to the end. Care must be taken to keep scent from being applied to any other place outside or around the tunnels. The use of alternate scenting procedures (such as using a squirt or spray bottle) is up to the discretion of the Judge.
Liners (construction diagrams are provided in the appendix section) are built to fit a nine-inch by nine-inch (inside dimension) square tunnel. The Novice earth when fully constructed will be approximately ten feet long with one right angle (90 degree) turn. No deviation will be allowed. The Open and Certificate earth when fully constructed will be approximately thirty feet long with three right angle (90 degree) turns. No deviation will be allowed. The certificate class earth may include additional challenges such as simple obstacles, blind tunnels, and false entrances. At the end of each earth an area is prepared to hold the caged quarry. Across the end of the liner facing the quarry insert 1/4 or 3/8 inch diameter smooth iron rods, approximately one inch apart. The iron rods can be inserted vertically or horizontally. Alternatively three or four evenly spaced one-inch diameter vertical wooden dowels may be used. When wooden dowels are used the liner must be constructed in such a way that damaged dowels can be easily removed and replaced during the course of the trial. The rods or dowels are mandatory. No trial can proceed without them.
The tops of the liners must not be visible after being placed into the tunnel and covered with dirt. The earth should look as natural as is possible. The entrance should not be too heavily covered with brush or other materials, which might deter the dog from entering. The entrance should be inviting to the dog. It is also recommended that the judge and anyone assisting them within the den area be camouflaged or hidden. The quarry will be placed into the den just before the judging begins. A solid box around the cage, open only to the bars at the end of the liner, will help prevent dogs from picking up the scent of the quarry. The den area over the caged quarry must be covered.
The judging area will be roped off from spectators and should be sufficiently large to insure that no part of the earth is less than 20 feet from the perimeter of the roped area.
Holding
Area:
A designated area at least 100 feet from the
perimeter of the judging area will be provided for contestants to stay with
their dogs while waiting to be called into the judging area.
Judging:
Approximately three entries should be in the Holding Area at any given time. The Den Steward will call individual entries into the Holding Area shortly before it is time for them to be judged.
Note for judges: When a dog is showing concentrated staring, the focus of the dog may be tested by moving the rat cage. This should result in a response from the dog if it is actually working. The work must be continuous without a break for 30 seconds to receive 50 points. Any natural change from one type of work to another does not constitute a break in the time worked. At the completion of the test, the handler will retrieve the dog from the earth and carry the dog away from the judging area.
Open Class: Dogs shall be brought to the judging area in the
same way as for the Novice Class. When the judge is ready, the handler will
release the dog and may issue one short command. After releasing the dog, the
handler must remain at the release point, silently and without moving. Any
further encouragement will result in no score. The dog must reach the quarry
within 30 seconds then work, without a break, for a full 60 seconds. If the dog
fails to reach the quarry within 30 seconds or does not work a full 60 seconds
then he receives no score. No help can be given the dog either by the handler or
the judge. At the completion of the test, the handler must remove the dog from
the earth and promptly carry it from the judging area.
Certificate Class: When a dog scores 100% in the Open Class he earns
the Certificate of Gameness. The IPBA keeps a record of every dog that earns a
COG. After being issued the Certificate of Gameness a dog is eligible for the
Certificate Class only and cannot be entered in any other class. The Certificate
Class is judged in the same manner as the Open Class.
CLASSES:
Novice A: Open to dogs and bitches under 12 months
of age that have not earned three ( 3 ) 100%
scores in the Novice Class.
Novice B: Open to dogs and bitches 12 months of
age and over that have not earned three ( 3 ) 100%
scores in the Novice Class.
Open: Open to dogs and bitches that have
scored three ( 3 ) 100% scores in the Novice Class, or
have worked to ground in a natural earth 3 times or more.
Certificate: Open to dogs and bitches that have
earned the Certificate of Gameness.
This class is provided for dogs that live in areas where natural
quarry is limited
or nonexistent.
Open: A ribbon and Certificate is to be given to each dog earning a Certificate of Gameness.
Certificate: Ribbons may be given
to the top qualifiers by breed or category, in the
Certificate Class.
A score of 100% is
required to qualify in any class.
In addition to the above awards, which are offered by the IPBA, individuals, breed clubs or sponsoring groups may offer prizes. It is important not to label the Certificate class awards as “high scoring” since all qualifiers in the class must earn 100%. Exemplary work has little to do with speed for the sake of speed alone.
NOTE: It is up to the judge to evaluate quality of
work, ease of handling the dog or any other factors as he/she sees fit when
selecting the top qualifier in each breed or category, in the Certificate Class.
The judge’s top qualifier should be the dog that most impresses the judge. If
the judge has to select a dog of that breed to go hunting with, then based on
the day’s performance the top qualifier would be their choice.
SCORE
SHEETS:
An IPBA approved score sheet must be used to record each dog’s performance. Official score sheets come in two styles: separate score sheets for each class or a single score sheet that can be used for all of the classes. Either style may be used.