The Kennel Club is aware that there has been some confusion over an amendment made to the Kennel Club agility measuring guidelines, specifically with regards to who can measure. We would like to apologise for the miscommunication and hope that the below information will help to clarify the situation for all measurers and competitors.
Code of Best Practice for Measuring the Height of Agility Dogs
The Kennel Club Measuring Guidelines have been changed to the 'Code of Best Practice for Measuring the Height of Agility Dogs' and these have recently been amended. The changes have been made in order to ensure that all procedural elements for measuring are included and to clear up the measuring regulations.
The changes include removing certain regulations and inserting them in the Code of Best Practice; these regulations all concern the process of measuring and took up a lot of space in the measuring regulations. By moving them to the Code of Best Practice, the regulations should now be clearer.
Additionally, a new process has been included that states:
'For all measurements, neither measurer must have previously measured the dog nor must the dog be owned or part owned by them, owned by a partner, member of their family or been previously entered for competition by them.'
This change has been introduced in order to maintain a clear and transparent process. Due to the miscommunication in regards to the change, all measuring sessions that have taken place up to and including 12th February will stand, regardless of whether the measurers are the same.
We would suggest that, in order to help competitors get their dogs measured, any details of a measuring session occurring at a show, including the names of the measurers, should be included in the show schedule where possible.
New measuring regulations for large dogs
As of 1st January 2016, the measuring regulations were changed to remove the need for large dogs to be measured. Dogs competing in the large height category do not need an official measure before competing. However, those handlers who are not sure if their dog is large or medium may still have their dog measured.
Once a dog has competed in the large height category at a Kennel Club licensed event without a measurement, it cannot subsequently change to a different height.
Measuring re-accreditation
A process of re-accreditation of all official Kennel Club agility measurers is being undertaken by the Kennel Club, with sessions being held around the UK. All measurers who wish to continue as an official Kennel Club measurer are required to attend one of the sessions below and be assessed by an accreditation panel.
The first session took place at Avon Agility Show, West Kype Farm Equestrian Centre in Strathaven on Sunday 7th February.
The other sessions available are:
Saturday 5th March - Stoneleigh Park Lodge, Stoneleigh, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ
Sunday 6th March - Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ
Friday 1st April - Leeming Village Hall, Mill Lane, Leeming, Northallerton, DL7 9SS
Saturday 9th April - Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7PS
Sunday 10th April - Chieveley Village Hall, Chieveley, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8TE
For all of the above dates, the Kennel Club is offering agility competitors the opportunity to get their dogs measured for free. Measuring will be conducted by the measurers with the accreditation panel and Kennel Club staff present. If a dog has not been measured before, then this will count as their first measure and will be recorded in the dog's record book. If it's the dog's second measure then this will also be recorded as such. For any dogs which have already been measured twice, this measure will not count and will not be recorded or have any bearing on the dog's existing height category.
Whilst all sizes of dogs are welcome, the event is particularly interested in small and medium sized dogs for the accreditation process.
Handlers may register to have their dogs measured by emailing our agility team. Please include the following information:
- Which location/venue you wish to attend
- How many dogs you will be bringing with you
- What height categories the dogs fit into; small, medium or large (or for a first time dog, what height category you believe they fit into)
- If you are only able to attend for a limited period of time, please state the times accordingly
Once registered an email will be sent to you with information about timings and joining instructions about the relevant day.