UDP Inc FARM and RANCH CHORES PROGRAM
SECTION 1 - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE
The Farm/Ranch Chores program provides a chore oriented venue in which to display the Working Dog’s practical skills as an all around farm and ranch dog.
SECTION 2 - ELIGIBILITY
The Farm and Ranch Chores Program is open to all herding breeds or crossbreds of the herding breeds. To be eligible for titles, entrants must have a UDP Inc Registration Number.
SECTION 3 - LIVESTOCK
1. Classes of livestock will be cattle, sheep, goats, ducks and geese. Cattle will have the designation (c), sheep will have the designation (s), goats will have the designation (g), ducks or geese will have the designation (d).
2. There must be a minimum of 5 head of stock (ducks, geese) or 10 head of stock (cattle, sheep, goats) used in all aspects of the course.
3. The number of runs allowed per head of stock will be a maximum of three (3) per day.
4. After a group of stock has run the course, they are required to rest at least 1 run before being used again.
5. Maximum runs allowed per trial will be determined by length of run, number of stock available and the time necessary to complete that course in a manner that doesn’t overwork or stress the stock.
SECTION 4 – FARM and RANCH CHORES LEVELS
1. There are five (5) Farm and Ranch Chores Levels: Introductory, Novice, Open, Advanced, and Ultimate Champion. Titles are earned in a division when three (3) qualifying scores are received from three different courses on the same type of stock in each division and class.
2. The host organization is required to offer the following divisions without priority to any division:
a. Farm and Ranch Introductory (UCD -I) is for dogs nine (9) months of age or older on the day of the trial
b. Farm and Ranch Novice (UCD-N) is for dogs nine (9) months of age or older on the day of the trial.
c. Farm and Ranch Open (UCD-O) is for dogs nine (9) months of age or older on the day of the trial.
d. Farm and Ranch Advance (UCD-A) is for dogs nine (9) months of age or older on the day of the trial.
e. Farm and Ranch Ultimate Champion (UCD-CH) is for dogs nine (9) months of age or older on the day of the trial.
SECTION 5 – THE FARM and RANCH CHORES COURSE
1. Required Chores
Because of the varying setups of farms around the country, no two farm/ranch trial courses will necessarily be the same. Each course should be designed to showcase the working ability of the Working Dog in the day to day chores that happen on many farms and ranches. The course should try to represent practical work type situations where a dog needs to move stock in an efficient and stress-free manner.
The chores will increase in difficulty for the five (5) levels. Increased difficulty can include: length of gather, sorts of marked animals, advanced pen/chute work, handler lines or posts, use of drives, and use of chores that are specific to a level.
There are 5 required chores for a Farm and Ranch Chore course.
a. SORTING and/or MOVING STOCK in PENS (always the first chore): At least one sort is required during the course regardless of division.
Introductory: 5 (ducks/geese) or 10 (cattle, sheep, or goats) will be taken from one pen to another pen. The dog and handler may work together during sorting
Novice: 5 (ducks/geese) or 10 (cattle, sheep, or goats) will be gate sorted from a group of 10 (ducks/geese) or 20 (cattle, sheep, goats) to a separate pen from the other 5 (ducks, geese) or 10 (cattle, sheep or goats) head of stock. The dog and handler may work together during sorting.
Open: Ducks/Geese- Starting with 10 head of stock, a sort of at least 3 out of 5 marked animals( the other 2 do not have to be marked). 5 total head of stock are required to continue the course.
Points will count for only 2 unmarked animals that have been sorted.
Cattle/Sheep/Goats- Starting with 20 head of stock, a sort of at least 5 out of 10 marked animals (the other 5 do not have to be marked). 10 total head of stock are required to continue the course.
Points will count for only 5 unmarked animals that have been sorted.
The work required includes the sorting of the animals and moving them to a separate pen. The dog and handler may work together during sorting.
Advanced: Ducks/Geese- Starting with 10 head of stock, a sort of 5 marked animals is required to continue the course. Points will count only for the marked animals that have been sorted.
Cattle/Sheep/Goats- Starting with 20 head of stock, a sort of 10 marked animals is required to continue the course.
Points will count only for the marked animals that have been sorted.
Ultimate Champion: Ducks/Geese- Starting with 10 head of stock, a sort of 5 marked animals is required to continue the course. Points will count only for the marked animals that have been sorted.
Cattle/Sheep/Goats- Starting with 20 head of stock, a sort of 10 marked animals is required to continue the course.
Points will count only for the marked animals that have been sorted
The work required includes the sorting of the animals and moving them to a separate pen. The dog and handler may work together during sorting.
b. PEN WORK: A minimum of two pens are needed for pen work. The work will include, but is not limited to, moving the stock from one pen to another, with quiet and efficient movement through a gate.
The dog should work primarily on its own in the pens.
c. CHUTE WORK: The stock must be put into the chute, moved through the chute, and out of it. The chute must restrict the forward movement of the livestock in such a way as to funnel down to manageable numbers to doctor or load a trailer or squeeze. Chute work will include using, but not limited to, either a loading chute, or a chute leading up to a squeeze, sorting gate, or loading into a trailer..
The dog and handler may work together during the chute work.
d. GATHER (This can be done in conjunction with the Pasture Work):
Introductory: Minimum area must be large enough for a 25 foot gather (cattle, sheep or goats) 10 foot gather for (ducks/geese); this minimum gather is the distance between dog and stock
The handler may help their dog by positioning themselves up to 1/2 the distance between the dog and stock.
Novice: Minimum area must be large enough for a 50 foot gather (cattle, sheep or goats) 15 foot gather for (ducks/geese); this minimum gather is the distance between dog and stock.
The handler may help their dog by positioning themselves up to 1/2 the distance between the dog and stock.
Open: Minimum area must be large enough for a 100 foot gather ((cattle, sheep or goats) 25 foot gather for (ducks/geese) this minimum gather is the distance between dog and stock.
The handler may help their dog by positioning themselves up to 1/2 the distance between the dog and stock.
Advanced: Minimum area must be large enough for a 200 foot gather for (cattle, sheep or goats) 35 foot gather for (ducks/geese) this minimum gather is the distance between dog and stock.
In the Advanced Class, the handler must stay at the handler’s post.
Ultimate Champion: Minimum area must be large enough for a 300 foot gather for (cattle, sheep or goats) 50 foot gather for (ducks/geese) this minimum gather is the distance between dog and stock.
In the Ultimate Champion Class, the handler must stay at the handler’s post.
e. PASTURE WORK (minimum 100 feet square for ducks/geese and 2 acres for sheep/cattle/goats):
Introductory: The handler and dog will either fetch or drive the stock out into a pasture a minimum distance of 25 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) or 10 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then call the dog off the stock, walking a minimum of a 25 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) and 10 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then send the dog to gather the stock.
The handler may help their dog by positioning themselves up to 1/2 the distance between the dog and stock.
Novice: The handler and dog will either fetch or drive the stock out into a pasture a minimum distance of 50 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) or 15 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then call the dog off the stock, walking a minimum of a 50 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) and 15 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then send the dog to gather the stock.
The handler may help their dog by positioning themselves up to 1/2 the distance between the dog and stock.
Open: The handler will have the dog drive the stock out into a pasture, a minimum distance of 100 feet (cattle, sheep or goats) or 25 feet (ducks/geese). The handler will then call the dog off the stock, to a point that is a minimum of a 100 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) and 25 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then send the dog to gather the stock.
The handler may help their dog by positioning themselves up to 1/2 the distance between the dog and stock.
Advanced: The handler will have the dog drive the stock out into a pasture, a minimum distance of 200 feet (cattle, sheep or goats) or 35 feet (ducks/geese). The handler will then call the dog off the stock; to a handler’s post that is a minimum distance of 200 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) and 35 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then send the dog to gather the stock.
The handler may not leave the handler’s post.
Ultimate Champion: The handler will have the dog drive the stock out into a pasture, a minimum distance of 300 feet (cattle, sheep or goats) or 50 feet (ducks/geese). The handler will then call the dog off the stock; to a handler’s post that is a minimum distance of300 feet for (cattle, sheep or goats) and 50 feet for (ducks/geese). The handler will then send the dog to gather the stock.
The handler may not leave the handler’s post.
Introductory will perform four of the mandatory chores for their total points. They will exclude the chute work.
Novice will perform only the mandatory chores for their total points.
Trial Location Specific Chores: Along with the 5 mandatory chores, 1 other chore specific to the course location is used for Open dogs, 2 other chores specific to the course location are used for Advanced dogs, and 3 other chores specific to the course location are used for Ultimate Champion dogs..
Suggested chores are listed below. Other chores, not listed below, may be used with approval from the UDP Inc. Board.
Footbath simulation
Loading into Trailer ( if the chute work is a chute and not a trailer)
Barn work
Blind Gather
Natural Obstacles (pond, creek, hill, trees)
Bridge
Shed
Hold at/in a designated area
Removal of halter/ribbon/collar
Field work (5 acres or more)
Scale (weigh stock)
Each of the 4 Introductory, 5 Novice, 6 Open, 7 Advanced, and 8 Ultimate Champion chores must be attempted during the course of the trial, however depending on the course design there may be situations where previous chores must be completed in a certain order to continue. These situations must be clearly described in the flyer for the trial. The sort/ take pen is always the first chore assigned. During any chore, time will be called by the course director for overworking, running, inappropriate gripping or stressing the stock.
2. Time
The minimum time required for a Farm/Ranch Trial Course is 15 minutes. A Farm/Ranch Trial Course should imitate real work and be designed to move stock in an easy and efficient manner. There should be adequate time allotted to each course depending on the complexity of the chores, and/or Division. When running the course, each handler will be given a 10 minute warning and a 3 minute warning before time has expired
3. Points
The total number of points available is 50/60/70 for cattle, sheep or goats, and 25/30/35 for ducks or geese.
Cattle, sheep and goats Ducks or geese
Sort Work: 10 Points 5 Points
Pen Work: 10 Points 5 Points
Chute Work: 10 Points 5 Points
Gather Work: 10 Points 5 Points
Pasture Work: 10 Points 5 Points
Location Specific Task(s): 10 Points Open, 20 Points Advanced, 30 Points Ultimate Champion for cattle, sheep or goats. 5 Points Open 10 Points Advanced, 15 Points Ultimate Champion for ducks or geese.
Ties are broken by time used. If time used is the same, then ties are broken by the time used to sort the stock.
A score of zero on a chore results in a non-qualifying run.
4. Qualifying Scores:
Farm/Ranch Chore Working Dogs must earn 70% or more of the total points (35 of 50, 42 of 60, 49 of 70, and 56 of 80) and (18 of 25, 21 of 30, 25 of 35, and 28 of 40).
5. Participant Criteria:
The main objective in farm and ranch work is to get the chore done in the most efficient and stress-free manner possible. Moving the stock with little or no weight loss, stress or injury is the purpose of using good working dogs.
Attitude, obedience, power, and teamwork are necessary components in the make-up
of an effective farm or ranch dog.
SECTION 6 – SANCTIONING
A UDP Inc Trial Sanctioning Form is required, along with the following:
a. A complete description of the course and the order in which the tasks must be performed for each division (Introductory, Novice, Open, Advanced and Ultimate Champion.)
b. A compete diagram of the course which includes the pens, chute, sorting area, gather layout, natural obstacles, and any additional tasks (along with the required level of Open, Advanced, or Ultimate Champion.
c. The size of the chutes, pens, gates, and gather areas.
d. A copy of the flyer for the trial.
The flyer must contain the following information:
1. Host Club/member in good standing, location and date(s) of trial(s)
2. Course Director
3. Course description for each division
4. Diagram of the course
5. Maximum time for each division
6. When bitches in heat can run
7. Maximum number of runs
8. Run order draws- during the handler’s meeting or before the trial
9. Type(s) of stock
10. Pre-entry opening and closing dates
11. Any other additional affiliate rules regarding entries.
Premium should also state entry fee break down:
Entry fee= $1.00 UDP Inc Recording Fee + Administration Costs + Jackpot Monies Back to Class
Example: $25= $1.00 + 10.00 + $14.00
SECTION 7 - DISQUALIFIED AND/OR EXCUSED DOGS
1. Excused Dogs: Should a Course Director excuse a dog from a run, the scribe will enter a zero and “EXC” on the score sheet. Dogs will be excused for the following:
a. Over-running - unnecessary running of stock around the course or into the fence.
b. Incompetent work or lack of progress. If a contestant and his dog are unprepared and are unable to accomplish the task, time may be called even if no harm is being done to the stock.
c. Mistreatment of Stock. Dogs and handlers may not repeatedly strike, prod or otherwise
abuse the stock in order to cause it to move. Exceptions will be made in stock situations requiring protection for the welfare of the handler and/or dog.
d. Unnecessary gripping - gripping in a severe manner. Grips should be either on the head
or on the legs of the stock. Body, neck, belly, back, and ham are all unnecessary grips. A severe grip would be intentional wool pulling, hanging on, slashing or jerking a leg(s) out from under the animal. In the case of ducks/geese, any mouthing, gripping, running over, or pouncing on the duck or goose is unnecessary.
e. Training aids:
1. Wearing or attached to the collar.
2. Anything other than a stock stick or staff 3’ to 5’ long.
f. Handler taking hold of their dog to discipline it while in the arena or on course.
g. If, in the opinion of the Course Director, the dog is unsound or suffering from an injury
2. Disqualified Dogs:
Should a Course Director disqualify a dog from competition, the Course director will state the reason on the score sheet and give a brief written report of the dog¹s action on the dog’s score sheet. This report shall also be submitted to the UDP Inc board.
Dogs will be disqualified for the following:
a. Attacks (to set upon in a violent way) on any person, dog or livestock.
b. Mauling (to handle roughly and injure by rough treatment) including broken bones.
c. A dog that is so out of control that it cannot be caught.
When a dog has been disqualified under this section, the dog may not compete any further that day. The owner must then submit an application to the UDP Inc board for reinstatement.
3. Bitches in Heat:
Bitches in heat may be barred from the trial arena during regular competition at a sanctioned trial. At the option of the host club/member in good standing, bitches in season may be permitted to compete in order or after the last run in the last regular class and division of the day. The host club/ member in good standing must stipulate in the premium list or flyer and in their sanctioning request whether bitches in heat will be allowed to compete. If the host club/ member in good standing choose not to permit bitches in heat to compete, they must permit, at the owner's option, either a refund of the entry fee or substitution of a dog owned or co-owned by the Owner of the bitch in heat.
SECTION 8 - REGULATIONS
All other rules and regulations listed in the UDP Inc Herding Program will apply for the Farm and Ranch Chores.
A dog will start on its current level of achievement in other trialing venues or based on real world experience on a farm or ranch. These levels include the Introductory, Novice, Open or Advanced. The dog does not have to start at the Introductory Level. A dog must earn an Advanced title with UDP before moving up to the Championship Level.
A dog must earn a title on a Farm and Ranch Chore Level before advancing to the next level.
A handler cannot move a dog back to a lower level after competing at an upper level.
After achieving a title, the dog may continue to participate at that level for 1 year.
Any contestant may call time on themselves at anytime, if the situation warrants it. Once a handler calls time on their run, the dog is immediately put back on leash and the handler and dog should exit the arena.
The Course director will assign this run a “no score” and write on the score sheet “HCT” (Hander called time).
This is greatly appreciated by the stock provider and the UDP Inc Board.
Payout Schedule
|
ENTRIES |
PAYOUT PLACES |
PERCENT OF PAYOUT |
|
1-4 |
1 |
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 -8 |
2 |
60% |
40% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9-12 |
3 |
50% |
30% |
20% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13-16 |
4 |
40% |
30% |
20% |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17-20 |
5 |
30% |
25% |
20% |
15% |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21-24 |
6 |
30% |
24% |
18% |
12% |
9% |
7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25-28 |
7 |
28% |
23% |
16% |
12% |
9% |
7% |
5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
29-32 |
8 |
25% |
20% |
15% |
12% |
10% |
8% |
6% |
4% |
|
|
|
|
|
33-36 |
9 |
23% |
18% |
15% |
11% |
9% |
8% |
7% |
5% |
4% |
|
|
|
|
37-40 |
10 |
20% |
16% |
14% |
11% |
9% |
8% |
7% |
6% |
5% |
4% |
|
|
|
41-45 |
11 |
20% |
16% |
12% |
10% |
9% |
8% |
7% |
6% |
5% |
4% |
3% |
|
|
45 & over |
12 |
20% |
15% |
11% |
10% |
9% |
8% |
7% |
6% |
5% |
4% |
3% |
2% |
