GENERAL RULES
General Information
The rescue dog tests are designed to qualify each dog for its area of use. Successful completion of a test is proof of proper rescue dog training in that particular discipline. This is one of the basic requirements for determining mission readiness in participating organisations.
Mission readiness is determined and awarded exclusively by its home organisations, which can stipulate further requirements such as additional dog handler skills, electronic communication skills, alpine rescue, age limits for both dog and handler, physical fitness, personal equipment preparedness, First Aid courses, periodic re-testing, etc.
Tests can be held throughout the year. If the safety of the handler or dog is in question, testing must be postponed to a later date.
Dogs of all sizes, breeds and gender are eligible for the test.
A handler is only allowed to enter one Testing Event Competition on any given day. After successfully completing a test on level A, the dog may immediately participate in a test of the same category at the next highest level, provided the age of the dog is considered. This applies to Levels B and C as well.
Handlers are allowed to lead more than one dog. Each dog, however, may not be led by more than one handler within the Testing Event Competition. Sign-in and sign-out with the testing judge must take place on the leash. Only one single handler leash and a large-link chain collar are permitted.
All exercises begin and end in the start position. Short voice commands are to be used. The use of the dog's name in conjunction with the voice command is permitted. This combination counts as a single command.
Definition of „Bringsel“: the dog must bring the “Bringsel” to the dog handler upon location of the hidden victim. Upon acceptance by the handler of the “Bringsel” and at the command of the dog handler, the dog must independently lead the handler to the hidden victim on a direct path. The dog must maintain contact with the handler at all times.
Bitches in heat may participate in all tests but must be kept separated from all of the other participants and are to be evaluated last.
After failing a test, the dog must wait at least six days before re-taking a test of the same category.
Sick or possibly contagious animals are to be excluded from all tests and are not allowed to enter the testing area. The judge may, at his discretion, discontinue any exercise if the dog is clearly not under the control of its handler or has obviously not been properly prepared, or if becomes apparent that the dog is unwilling to execute the task of that section.
Any harassment of the hidden victim by the dog will have a negative influence on the assessment. An injury to the hidden victim by the dog will lead to disqualification. Unsportsmanlike conduct of the dog handler entitles the judge to immediately disqualify the dog handler.
TESTING AUTHORISATION
The permit to hold an event is issued by the responsible umbrella organisation of the event organiser (FCI-LAO or IRO-NRO). Test results are mutually recognized by all FCI-LAO’s and IRO-NRO’s. A Testing Event Competition can only be held when there are at least 4 participating dog handlers.
LOGISTICS
The organisational portion of the Testing Event is the responsibility of the Test Organising Officer, who is charged with overseeing the preparatory and execution exercises of the testing event.
LIABILITY
The dog handler is liable for himself and his dog during the Testing Event. The owner of the dog is liable for any injuries or damages caused by the dog and must be insured as a dog handler against such losses. All instructions given by the judge or Test Organising Officer are to be accepted and voluntarily executed at the handler’s own risk.
Proof of required vaccinations must be furnished to the testing authorities before the test upon request.
AGE LIMITATIONS
The dog must have reached the following age on the day of testing:
RH-E Test 14 months Level A-Test 18 months Level B-Test 19 months Level C-Test 20 months
TEMPERAMENT CHECK
The judge is to observe the temperament of the dog at the start of and throughout the whole test. The judge is obliged to disqualify any animal showing obvious temperament inadequacies and to note this down in the log book.
The Temperament Check includes: a) the self-confidence and composure of the dog around strangers b) confidence and composure during unexpected disturbances
c) resilience during difficult situations such as extended work periods, many dogs working
simultaneously, extremes in temperature and weather, presence of dust and smoke, or strong, unpleasant odours etc. d) Additional temperament inadequacies such as gun shyness, nervousness and its associated aggressiveness, aggressive disposition, fearfulness etc.
DUTIES OF THE TEST PARTICIPANT
Every dog handler is to meet registration deadlines. Any delay in arrival is to be reported to the Test Organiser immediately. Dog handlers are to sign in with the judge fully equipped with the clothing and supplies appropriate for the particular exercise of the test. The handler is to comply with the instructions of the judge and the Test Organising Officer, and must complete all parts of a test, even if the minimum score of the given discipline has not been reached. The test is complete when the results have been announced and entered into the log book and returned to the handler. Any premature termination of the test exercise is to be recorded in the log book along with an explanation.
LOG BOOK
A score/log book issued by a national kennel organisation is mandatory for every participant and must be registered in the pedigree of the dog. Dogs with no pedigree must be registered with an FCI-LAO or IRO-NRO. It must be presented to the Test Organising Officer prior to every test. The final scores are to be entered by the Test Organising Officer and confirmed and signed by the judge upon completion.
SCORING
Each test exercise is scored numerically and assigned a grade. The grade and points must accurately represent the performance of each exercise. In the event of equal scores, the final ranking shall be determined in the following order of priority: 1. Scent Work; 2. Obedience; 3. Dexterity.
SCORING TABLES
| SCORE |
Excellent |
very good |
good |
satisfactory |
unsatisfactory |
Insufficient |
| 2 Points |
2,0 |
2,0 |
2,0 |
1,5 |
1,0 |
0,5 - 0 |
| 3 Points |
3,0 |
3,0 |
2,5 |
2,5 - 2,0 |
1,5 |
1,0 - 0 |
| 5 Points |
5,0 |
4,5 |
4,0 |
3,5 |
3,0 - 2,0 |
1,5- 0 |
| 7 Points |
7,0 |
6,5 |
6,0 |
5,5 - 5,0 |
4,5 -2,5 |
2,0 - 0 |
| 8 Points |
8,0 |
7,5 |
7,0 -6,5 |
6,0 |
5,5 -3,0 |
2,5 - 0 |
| 10 Points |
10,0 |
9,5 -9,0 |
8,5 -8,0 |
7,5 -7,0 |
6,5 -4,0 |
3,5 - 0 |
| 15 Points |
15,0 -14,5 |
14,0 - 13,5 |
13,0 - 12,0 |
11.5 - 10,5 |
10 -5,5 |
5,0 - 0 |
| 20 Points |
20,0 -19,5 |
19,0 - 18,0 |
17,5 - 16,0 |
15,5 - 14,0 |
13,5 - 7,5 |
7,0 - 0 |
| 25 Points |
25,0 - 24,0 |
23,5 - 22,5 |
22,0 - 20,0 |
19,5 - 17,5 |
17,0 - 9,0 |
8,5 - 0 |
| 30 Points |
30,0 - 29,0 |
28,5 - 27,0 |
26,5 - 24,0 |
23,5 - 21,0 |
20,5 - 11,0 |
10,5 - 0 |
| 35 Points |
35,0 - 34,0 |
33,5 - 31,5 |
31,0 - 28,0 |
27,5 - 24,5 |
24,0 - 13,0 |
12,5 - 0 |
| 40 Points |
40,0 - 38,5 |
38,0 - 36,0 |
35,5 - 32,0 |
31,5 - 28,0 |
27,5 - 14,5 |
14,0 - 0 |
| 50 Points |
50,0 - 48,0 |
47,5 - 45,0 |
44,5 - 40,0 |
39,5 - 35,0 |
34,5 - 18,0 |
17,5 - 0 |
| 60 Points |
60,0 - 58,0 |
57,5 - 54,0 |
53,5 - 48,0 |
47,5 - 42,0 |
41,5 - 21,5 |
21,0 - 0 |
| 70 Points |
70,0 - 67,5 |
67,0 - 63,0 |
62,5 - 56,0 |
55,5 - 49,0 |
48,5 - 25,0 |
24,5 - 0 |
| 80 Points |
80,0 - 77,0 |
76,5 - 72,0 |
71,5 - 64,0 |
63,5 - 56,0 |
55,5 - 21,5 |
21,0 - 0 |
| 90 Points |
90,0 - 86,5 |
86,0 - 82,0 |
81,5 - 72,0 |
71,5 - 63,0 |
62,5 - 32,0 |
31,5 - 0 |
| 100 Points |
100 - 96,0 |
95,5 - 90,0 |
89,5 - 80,0 |
79,5 - 70,0 |
69,5 - 36,0 |
35,5 - 0 |
| 200 Points |
200 - 191 |
190 - 180 |
179 - 160 |
159 - 140 |
139 - 70 |
69 - 0 |
| 300 Points |
300 - 286 |
285 - 270 |
269 - 240 |
239 - 210 |
209 - 110 |
109 - 0 |
| Formula |
More th. 95 % |
95 - 90 % |
89 - 80 % |
79 - 70 % |
69 - 36 % |
35 - 0 % |
Only whole points may be awarded in the overall assessment. Fractional points may, however, be awarded for individual exercises. When the sum total of an exercise adds up to a fractional number, this number is to be rounded up or down according to the overall impression of the performance during the test exercise.
SCORE ANALYSIS
In order to "Pass" the test, the dog must have obtained at least 70% of the possible points in each discipline.
SCORE SHEETS
The documentation of test results is to be conducted according to national regulations.
RESCUE DOG JUDGES
The tests may only be carried out by judges approved by the umbrella organisation of the organizer (the FCI-LAO or the IRO). A judge may evaluate a maximum of 36 individual disciplines (units) in one day. All judging rules and regulations of the organizer’s umbrella organisation apply.
Maximum allowable disciplines to be judged per day:
| RH - E |
2 units |
| OBEDIENCE, all categories |
1 unit |
| DEXTERITY, all categories |
1 unit |
| RH-F, Scent Work |
1 unit |
| RH-FL, Scent Work |
1 unit |
| RH-T, Scent Work |
1 unit |
| RH-L, Scent Work |
1 unit |
| RH-W A, Water Exercises |
1 unit |
| RH-W B, Water Exercises |
2 units |
| RH-W C, Water Exercises |
4 units |
The judge’s decisions are final.
| RESCUE DOG |
SUITABILITY TEST |
RH - E |
| Consists of: |
Scent Work- |
|
| |
Choice of one of three Variations: 100 Points |
| |
Obedience with Dexterity |
100 Points |
| |
Total Possible Points |
200 Points |
| SECTION A – Scent Work – Variation Tracking: |
|
Total Possible Points: 100 Points Alerting Exercise 20 Points Adherence to Scent Track 50 Points Objects 3 x 10 Points 30 Points
Time limit: 15 minutes Handler's Track: about 600 paces, 30 min. old. Two corners conforming to the terrain Objects: 3 shoe-sized scent objects on the track A 10 metre leash may be used or the exercise may be performed off leash. The Starting Point is to be marked.
General Rules
The object selected by the dog handler must be well-worn and may not be larger than the approved size. Its colour may not stand out markedly from the terrain. The first article is to be placed on the first leg of the track, the second article on the second leg of the track and the third article at the end of the track. The scent of the track may not be altered during the placement of the object. The dog handler (track layer) is not allowed to scuff or stand still. The scent articles are to be placed on the track, not next to it. The exercise is to be discontinued by the judge if the dog handler is off-track by 10 meters or more. The judge may allow a greater distance due to very difficult terrain. The exercise is to be discontinued in any case when the judge has the impression that the dog is unable to resume tracking on its own.
Voice Signal:
One Voice Signal for “Search!” Voice commands are allowed at the start and after finding each object. Occasional praise and voice commands for “Search!” are allowed.
Alert Exercise:
The Alert Exercise must be held outside of the area that will subsequently be used for the search exercise. The victim must be placed at the alert location without the dog being able to observe the placement. At the command of the judge, the dog handler is to have the dog begin the search by using a single voice command and hand signal, sending the dog out to the victim which is visibly sitting or laying at a distance of 30 meters. The dog must alert clearly and without any help from the dog handler. The dog handler must confirm the alert. Depending on the type of alert, the dog handler must go to the victim at the command of the judge or be brought to the victim by the dog. The dog handler is to have the dog lay down off leash approximately 3 meters from the victim. The dog must remain calm while the handler directly approaches the victim. At the command of the judge, the dog handler is to collect his dog and report to the judge to sign out.
If the alert behaviour of the dog is triggered by the dog handler or the victim, the exercize will be awarded 0 points.
Search Exercise:
Upon being summoned, the handler and dog are to sign in with the judge. The use of force is not allowed before, at the start of, or during the tracking exercise. The handler is to remain 10 meters behind the dog whether or not a leash is used. As soon as the dog locates an object he is to pick it up or otherwise indicate convincingly without any interaction from the handler. The dog can remain standing, sit down or come back to the handler with the object; however going further with the object or picking up in the lay down position will be penalised. Indicating may take place in the laying, sitting or standing position, or may alternate between the three. When the dog has indicated the object, the dog handler is to go to the dog and raise the object to show that the dog has made a find. The handler is then to start the dog on the track again. At the end of the track the handler is to return the found objects to the judge.
This part of the test is completed when the dog handler reports to the judge and signs out and the judge announces the marks
Rescue Dogs – Suitability Test RH-E SECTION A – Scent Work – Variation Area Search:
| Total Possible Points: |
100 Points |
| Overall Performance of Task |
30 Points |
| Victim Alert |
70 Points |
Time limit: max. 10 Minutes for the Search Exercise Area Size: 5.000 m2, open and covered terrain Victim(s): 1 victim
General Rules:
Before beginning the search, the dog handler must declare the type of alert the dog will give: alert by barking, alert by “Bringsel”, or “Recall”, whereby the dog runs back and forth between the dog handler and the victim on the quickest path, thereby leading the handler to the victim. The search-ready dog is allowed to wear an identifying harness and/or collar. The dog handler may choose his own path through the area.
Overall Performance of Task and Victim Alert:
The judge instructs the victim as to the hiding place before the beginning of the exercise. The hiding place may allow for possible sight and physical contact between dog and victim. Hiding sites may be reused at any time but must be located at least 10 meters apart. The dog handler reports to the judge with his dog ready to search. The judge then informs the handler of the details of the task. The victim is then instructed by the judge to move to the hiding place. The dog handler and dog are allowed to observe the departure of the victim and the dog handler may give verbal motivation to the dog. The search begins at the command of the judge. The dog handler places his dog at a point of his choice. The dog should begin sniffing the area at the command of the handler. This exercise is designed to primarily test the dog’s working intensity and obedience. The dog handler may not leave the starting point unless instructed to do so by the judge. The dog must alert clearly when the victim is found. The dog handler must report the alert to the judge and may not go to his dog until instructed to do so by the judge. The dog must remain within 2 meters of the victim while barking, until the dog handler arrives. The composition of the terrain is to be taken into consideration. When employing the “Bringsel” or the “Recall” method, the dog must lead its handler to the victim on a direct path. If the alert behavior of the dog is triggered by the dog handler or the victim, the exercise will be awarded 0 points. While alerting, the dog may receive absolutely no support from the dog handler or the victim.
The test is ended by the judge.
Marks:
1st
False Alert: minus 20 Points
2nd
False Alert: Termination of the test in Section A
This part of the test is completed when the dog handler reports to the judge and signs out and the judge announces the marks.
Rescue Dogs – Suitability Test RH-E SECTION A – Scent Work – Variation Rubble Search:
| Total Possible Points: |
100 Points |
| Overall Performance of Task |
30 Points |
| Victim Alert |
70 Points |
Time limit: max