Schedule 05K - Regulations for Handler Classes

           REGULATIONS FOR THE HANDLER CLASSES                

1.      LICENSING AND SHOW REGULATIONS
The regulations relating to licensing and all other matters to do with Championship Shows, Schedule 3, and Non-Championship Shows, Schedule 4, of the Constitution of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa shall apply to Handler Classes in so far as they do not conflict with specific terms of this Schedule 5K.

2.       SCOPE OF THE LICENCE
2.1     All Breeds clubs may offer all Handler Classes.
2.2     All other clubs may offer Handler Classes.

3.       ELIGIBILITY FOR COMPETITION
3.1     Child Handler Class
For persons eight (8), but under eleven (11), years of age.  In the calendar year in which the person turns eleven (11), the person may elect to remain in the Child Handler Class for the remainder of that calendar year or elect to move to the Junior Handler Class. Once moved, he/she may not revert to the Child Handler Class.
3.3        Junior Handler Class
For persons of eleven (11), but under eighteen (18) years of age.
3.4     Open Handler Class
For persons of any age therein provided for. 
3.5     For Handler Classes at Championship Shows the official Kennel Union Show Entry Form shall be used and entries submitted on any other form shall be invalid. The Entry Form for any entrant under 18 years of age shall be accompanied by proof of age, in the form of either a copy of a birth certificate, the first page of an identity document or passport. All Handler Class entries must be on a separate Entry Form from the one used for the breed entry of an exhibit. Any dog that is to be used for handling must be registered on the Breed Register.
3.6     It is not permissible for a handler to handle a bitch in season in any Handler Class.
3.7     It is not mandatory for any exhibit handled in any Handler Class to compete in any Breed Class at the show where it will be handled.
3.8     It is permissible for a handler to handle a neutered dog in any Handler Class

4.        JUDGING 
4.1     When judging Handler Classes the Judge shall consider inter alia:
4.1.1  The exhibit is not “blocked” from the judge’s view at any time i.e. the Handler should not come between the exhibit and the judge. 
4.1.2  Any exaggerated handling is to be discouraged. 
4.1.3  The ability of the Handler to control the exhibit.
4.1.4  The ability of the Handler to ‘set up’ the exhibit.
4.1.5  The ability of the Handler to ‘gait’ the exhibit at a desirable pace for the proper assessment of movement.
4.1.6  The ability of the Handler to present the exhibit to best advantage.
4.1.7  Only standard Handler Ring Patterns are allowed. (Addendum available on request from the office)
4.1.8  The dress, grooming and ring demeanour of the Handler, taking weather conditions into account.
4.2     The quality of the exhibit shall not be taken into consideration by the judge.
4.3     Under no circumstances should questions be used as a means of testing a Handler’s knowledge.  A judge should limit conversation with Handlers.
4.4     Handlers who exhibit impatience or heavy handedness with their exhibits must be penalised.
4.5     If it is apparent that a Handler cannot control his/her own exhibit, the judge must excuse the Handler and exhibit from the ring.
4.6     A judge may request competitors to swap exhibits provided that it becomes apparent that the Handler is capable of controlling/handling his/her new exhibit. However should unruly behaviour occur, the exhibit should be returned to the original handler without penalty. 
4.7     Swapping of exhibits by Child Handlers is not permitted. 
4.8     If an exhibit shows signs of aggression the Handler and exhibit shall immediately become liable to be excused from the ring, at the discretion of the judge.   
4.9     Any Handler not present after three calls by the Ring Steward would be regarded as absent.
       
5.        JUDGES
5.1        Judges shall be expected to have a genuine interest in and understanding of competitive handling.
5.2        Foreign domiciled judges shall either be qualified as specialist Junior Handler (Junior Showmanship) judges in their own countries, or be approved by KUSA to judge Best in Show in this country.
5.3        Persons wishing to become Junior Showmanship Judges need to meet the qualifying criteria and requirements for qualifications as laid out in Schedule 10. Reg.4.

6.    HANDLER CERTIFICATES
6.1  A KUSA Qualifying Certificate will be awarded at any Championship Show to the winner of each Handler Class.

(C) The Kennel Union of South Africa.

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN 0-9584208-1-5
27.09.2005/AA/F 05-05/
Fedco 05-2013/NP/Updated 27.06.2013

Most recent changes to this Schedule has an effective date of 01.07.2013