WCA DOGS

                                       PROCEDURE OF THE WEIGHT PULL EVENT 

 

1.      Each dog shall be required to pull a loaded cart a measured sixteen (16) feet within 60 seconds, the dog shall be allowed to complete the pull and the actual time required to make the pull shall be recorded.

2.      During the pull the handler’s feet may be no further forward than the front of the cart when driving the dog, or their feet shall be behind the designated line 16 feet from the starting line when calling the dog. The handler shall not touch the dog, equipment or pulling surface between the start and finish line until the cart crosses the 16-foot line.

3.      Once the dog is in position in front of the cart and ready to pull, the handler must attempt to cross the finish before instructing the dog to pull.  (No physical handling of the dog will be allowed. Handling consists of anyone touching the dog, its harness, the sled, or any other part of the equipment or load. The dog is considered to be in position when the handler moves more than an arms length away from the dog.)  If the dog pulls before its instructed and as long as the handler hasn’t touched the dog, and the dog has successfully pulled the intended weight a distance of 16 feet it’s to be considered a “pull”.  In the case of a tangle or equipment failure the judge will direct the handler to physically reposition the dog.  Two tangles during the same weight increment will result in a disqualification.

4.      Only one handler is allowed to communicate with the dog, either with hand signals and or voice commands from the course area.

5.      The handler shall be allowed to position his/her dog anywhere between the wheels in front of the starting line at the end of the extended tug line. The dog shall be positioned with enough slack in the tug line to prevent the dog from inadvertently moving the cart. There shall not be so much slack as to allow a “sling shot start.”

6.      The handler may pass one or two turns but must pull on the third turn. Once the dog is hooked up to the cart the handler may not pass in that round except as stated in Section 5 #11. (Dogs are no longer required to pull the starting weight).

7.      Starting weights to be pulled shall not exceed: 

                                                                  Class    Max. Wt.

                                                                   35 lb   200 lbs.

                                                                   60 lb   400 lbs.

                                                                   80 lb   500 lbs.

                                                                  100 lb  600 lbs.

                                                                  120 lb  700 lbs.

                                                                   UNL    800 lbs.  

These weights are maximum starting weights. If poor pulling conditions exist, the  Judge may adjust the starting weights lower to match the conditions.

8.      The time will start once the handler is in the proper position and instructs the dog to pull, or the dog starts to pull.

9.      The front wheels of the cart shall be positioned at the break line. The  Judge shall then direct the following sequence:

A.     The cart to be positioned at the start line with the wheels perpendicular to the start line.

B.     The pulling pad to be cleared (unless the handler requests assistance in hooking up the dog).

C.     The handler to leave the on deck circle; hook up the dog and the pull to commence.

11.  The handler has the option of having the cart placed anywhere on the starting line as long as the wheels are perpendicular to the start line. The handler has the option to reposition the cart one time. No test rolling of the cart shall be allowed.

12.  In the event of a tangle, at the judges’ discretion the judge will stop the clock and the handler must realign the dog and harness before the pull is resumed. Two tangles on the same turn will constitute the dog’s removal from the competition.

13.  If the cart becomes stuck on a barrier of the pulling pad it shall be considered a tangle. The clock would be stopped and the cart would then be freed of the barrier at the point of which it was stuck. The dog would be allowed to continue the pull with the remaining time left on the clock. Two tangles on the barrier on the same turn shall constitute the dog’s removal from the competition.

14.  Tangles are called at the  Judge’s discretion. The judge shall call a tangle only if the dog or any of the equipment in use becomes entangled.

15.  If any part of the harness or other equipment breaks, the handler shall have 60 seconds to repeat the pull after repairs. He/she may choose to accept this interrupted pull as a pass.

16.  Food, treats or any type of bait, may only be given to the dogs pulling, after they have pulled and have been removed from the pulling area.  Handlers shall not have food or bait on their person during the competition.  Anyone found having bait of any kind on his or her person will be swiftly removed from competition and will receive no refund.  No whips, pinch collars, noisemakers or muzzles will be permitted at any time during competition.

17.  No dogs, including those not entered in competition shall be allowed in the area ahead of the starting line, except the dog that is pulling.  Spectators also will not be allowed in the area ahead of the starting line.

18.  There shall be a marked “on deck” area behind, but near the starting end of the pull chute. This marked area shall house only the next dog to pull.

19.  Load increments shall be determined by the  Judge and a simple majority of the handlers. The  Judge shall recommend the load increments to the handlers, considering the pulling conditions and the welfare of the dogs.

20.  The dog pulling the most weight in its class is declared the winner. Each successive dog pulling a lower weight is placed second, third, etc. If two or more dogs pull the same weight the required distance and can pull no more weight the full distance, the winner is determined by the fastest time in the previous pull.

21.  If the dog is competing for the best percentage pull, after all other dogs in the class have been eliminated from the competition; the dog may continue to pull heavier weights. The weight increments shall be at least the designated increment but can be more.

 SECTION 6 – Titles

A.     THE BASIS ON WHICH TITLES WILL BE AWARDED

In order for a weight pull to be recognized and points recorded, it shall be the responsibility of the hosting organization to properly report the weight pull results to the NKC  

  All dogs pulling 12 times their body weight will be titled as Weight Pulling Dog I =WPT 1

All dogs pulling 18 times their body weight will be titled as Weight Pulling Dog II =WPT 2

All dogs pulling 23 times their body weight will be titled as Weight Pulling Dog III =WPT 3

SECTION 7 – Reporting Results

All forms must be completed with appropriate signatures and postmarked no later than 10 days following the event. All Weight Pulls must be video taped and included with the paperwork. 

Weight Pull Event results will be forwarded to:

The World Canine Association
Email: office@wcadogs.com 

 

 

American Pit Bull Terrier Specialty Weight Pull Rules
Weight Pull Rules

Dogs must be no less than nine (9) months of age to enter weight pull. There is no qualifying pull necessary to enter weight pull. Dog must make a complete pull to receive any points or awards.

1. 1. 1. All dogs must be WCA registered.

      2. No bitches in heat. If a bitch is found to be in heat, the judge will disqualify the female and no refund will be made.

      3. No human-aggressive dogs will be allowed to enter.

      4. No artificial aids to be used on dog’s feet, carpet, etc.

      5. The handlers’ meeting will be to decide if the judge will begin the time by a “Go” or “Pull” command or, if handlers prefer, by releasing the dog.

      6. Three fouls and you’re out. Examples of fouls are:

         1. Touching the dog or cart in any way after time has been started.

         2. Pushing or dropping the dog at start of pull.

         3. Human aggression toward the dog

         4. Elapse of time (60 seconds).

      7. Examples of alibis:

         1. Tangling of traces or harnesses.

         2. Equipment malfunction.

         3. Outside interference that prevents the dog from completing his pull.

Handler may point out a possible alibi, but the judge’s decision is final.

Two alibis equal one foul. In the event of a foul or alibi, dog will be taken back to starting line and pull again. 
If a dog completes the pull off the track, it is still considered a pull.

1. 1. 1. Weight divisions (males and females):

35 pounds and under

35 to 45 pounds

45 to 55 pounds

55 to 65 pounds

65 to 75 pounds

75 pounds and over

Example: If the dog weighs exactly 35 pounds, the handler may choose to enter either the “35 pounds and under” class or the “35 to 45 pounds” class. 
Separate awards will be given to males and females for first, second, and third places in each weight division. The awards will be decided by most weight pulled per pound of body weight.

1. 1. 1. The judge will certify the cart and weight.

      2. Owner of dog must supply his own harness. Harness must be a “standard” weight pull harness. Some clubs may have a harness to loan or information on how to obtain an appropriate harness.

      3. Pulling track will be roped off at least ten feet on each side of track to prevent spectators from crowding the track and distracting the dog.

      4. Points will be awarded the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as follows:

1st place = 10 points

2nd place = 7 points

3rd place = 4 points

Trophy awards:

54lbs & under male most weight pulled per pound of body weight (male) = 15 points

54lbs & under female most weight pulled per pound of body weight (male) = 15 Points

55lbs & over male most weight pulled per pound of body weight (male) = 15 points

55lbs & over female most weight pulled per pound of body weight (female) = 15 points

1. 1. 1. Dog must pull cart 16 feet in 60 seconds.

      2. In the event of a tie for most weight pulled award, tie will be broken by body pound. If both dogs weigh the same, tie will be broken by time.

      3. The officiating judge shall conduct a handlers’ meeting at the beginning of the pull or before each class. Load increments: The judge shall recommend load increments based on the pulling conditions and the welfare of the dogs. The handlers shall vote on the load increments by which weight shall be increased. The decision shall be made by a simple majority of handlers present at the meeting. The judge shall decide tie votes. The load increment for each class shall remain the same throughout the class.

      4. Once your dog has begun the pull, you may pass no more than four times.

      5. Dogs will pull in turn, but no dog will be required to pull without a five-minute rest between pulls.

      6. Dogs will be called in this order:

On the cart

On deck

Get ready

1. 1. 1. No more than two handlers per dog on pull. No bait is allowed.

      2. Titles to be achieved:

100 points = Champion weight puller

200 points = Grand Champion weight puller

300 points = Super Grand Champion weight puller

1. 1. Only WCA-certified judges may judge the pulls. A judge may not time his or her own dog. In this event, a backup judge will be provided.