B.W.P.A. Rules
MEMBERSHIP of the B.W.P.A. is required for entry to the pull. All breeds welcome. Per dog fees are collected at the Weigh In, prior to dog(s) pulling.
WEIGHT: Weight used must be equal to one another.
DOG EQUIPMENT: Each dog must have an acceptable crate. Flat collars or choke collars are allowed. Harnesses must be acceptable freight harness w/spreader bar and may not extend more than 24” from the rear end of the dog to the connect point of the cart. Leashes must be concealed from the dog when pulling. If you cannot conceal it the “hooker”/cart handler can hold the leash until the dog’s pull is completed. No baiting is permitted and you cannot feed or treat the dog until the class is finished or until the dog has finished competing for the day. This includes tugs or toys. Water is permitted at any/all times.
PULL OFFICIALS: The Judge is responsible for supervising the event, handling disputes, and their decisions are final.
ELIGIBILITY: All dogs competing for points and titles must be one year of age. Novice dogs must be nine months of age to compete and can pull for fun only. Novice dogs do not earn or contribute points. Any age of dog may attend a Training session. Handlers with more than two dogs in a class must have harnesses for all the dogs and will not delay the pull. No females in heat are allowed on the pull grounds. No pregnant or lactating females are allowed to compete.
CONTROL OF DOGS\HANDLER CONDUCT: You must keep your dog under control at all times and you must promptly clean up after your dog. Any dog showing unprovoked aggression towards another dog or person will receive one warning. If the aggression continues, the handler will be asked to remove the dog from the area and it will not be allowed to compete. If a dog attacks another dog the handler will be asked to remove the dog from the area immediately. If it has not yet pulled, entry fees will not be refunded. If it has pulled it will neither earn nor contribute points that day. Any dog that bites or attempts to bite a person will be immediately DQ’d by the judge and asked to leave the pull site. Animal abuse will not be tolerated. The chief judges will DQ you for it! A handler can and will be asked to leave for ANY misconduct in or outside the pulling area/grounds. Misconduct includes rude, disruptive, unsportsman like conduct, or interfering with another dog pulling or the judge.
WEIGH-INS: All dogs must be weighed in on the same scales.
PULL PROCEDURES: The cart will be placed at the start line. The point on the cart that is at the starting line will be the same point that must cross the finish line for the pull to be completed. Dogs will be notified when they are to pull. From the Weighing Area the dog will enter the Pulling Area. The dog will be hooked by the cart assistant or by the handler of the dog. When the dog is hooked the handler must ensure there is no slack in the line. If the dog backs up on its own after being set it shall not be penalized. Once the dog is set and an arm’s length away, the handler may call the dog immediately after releasing the collar. The handler may not make contact with the dog again until the pull is completed. After releasing the collar the handler may only move backwards towards the finish line You will be allowed one foul per dog for making contact with your dog before you get across the line. The cart will be placed back on the start line and the pull will start again at the same weight. The time will start when the handler’s hand leaves the dog’s collar. Dogs must pull 16’ in 90 sec. If the cart is moving at 90 sec the pull will count and the dog will move onto the next round. The time will show the seconds the pull was completed in. If the dog cannot complete the pull in 90 sec, it will be a NO PULL and the dog will be done competing for the day. If your dog touches you before you get across the line you will be DQ’d by the judge. If your dog tangles in his harness or any part of the pulling equipment it will be called a tangle and the cart will be replaced at the start line and you will have 90 seconds to re-pull the weight. Tangles include stepping out of and getting tangled up in the harness or caught up on any of the pull equipment that the judge feels could hurt the dog. You are allowed one tangle per round. If the dog tangles twice in a round it will be DQ’d by the judge. In the event of an equipment failure, the repair will be made and the cart will be repositioned at the start line. The dog will then have 90 seconds to re-pull the cart/current weight. No double handling. This includes cheering for the dogs from the sidelines. You may cheer when the pull is completed. All other dogs, including those owned by spectators, must be behind the start line. When pulling on carpet, water will be the only substance allowed on the dog’s feet.
BWPA CONTESTS
BWPA will be hosting a specially designed competition which entails the owner weighing in and then each entrant has five pulls at the owner’s discretion. With a maximum of ten minutes to complete the five pulls. All other BWPA rules apply Any weight increment catered for and prizes will be given for the dogs pulling 1st, 2nd and 3rd most weight over body weight and a prize for the dog pulling the most weight on the day. Points will be allocated as follows.
POINT SYSTEM Most weight pulled per pound 1st place = 25pts, 2nd place = 20pts, 3rd place = 15pts. Most Weight Pulled = 10pts.
A Weight Pull Championship Cert. will be awarded when 100 points including a first place are gained.
B.W.P.A. Titles are earned after completing one of the following pulls 12 x the dog’s weight = WP1, 18 x the dog’s weight = WP2, 23 x the dog’s weight = WP3, 30 x the dogs weight = WP4. The titles are in certificate form and are available for £10.00, on the day for further info email jamesbulldogs@aol.com.