From a memo posted today by the Companion Events Department of the American Kennel Club:
The AKC Agility staff has finished reviewing the safety concerns posed by the Tire Jump at AKC agility trials. The AKC Board of Directors has approved the regulation allowing the use of a break-away tire for AKC agility trials.
Effective March 1, 2013, clubs holding AKC agility trials may use a break-away tire in place of the standard tire jump. There will be a six month period (March 1 - September 3) during which clubs may use either the standard solid tire or the break-away tire. Starting September 4, 2013, clubs are required to use the break-away tire.
The memo goes on to state that the new tire will consist of two segments connected at the top to allow independent movement of each section, should the dog's actions break the tire open. The setting for the connection is to be 16-20 pounds of horizontal force which shall be confirmed by pulling with a calibrated scale until the segments pull apart.
Breaking apart the tire jump will result in a non-qualifying score (NQ).
Agility exhibitors are very happy with this regulation change. The reason is obvious with just this one example of what can happen when a dog catches so much as toes on the solid tire jump. This is my agility instructor Jennifer Crank and her dog Xtreme.
Breaking apart the tire jump will result in a non-qualifying score (NQ).
Agility exhibitors are very happy with this regulation change. The reason is obvious with just this one example of what can happen when a dog catches so much as toes on the solid tire jump. This is my agility instructor Jennifer Crank and her dog Xtreme.
