25) In the event of a tie for the Most Weight pulled award, ties will be broken according to the elapsed time it took to complete the pull. Weight first, time second. If this situation happens for Most Weight Pulled Per Pound of Body Weight, ties can be broken by elapsed time it took to complete pull or. B) In the event of a tie due to club running out of weights, additional weights can be provided in any form as long as it is approved by the judge. (Safety and club's liability is 1st concern when considering this option therefore lapsed time should be used whenever possible to break all ties) Judge will make the decision as to how ties will be broken. Judges decision will be final!
26) The first weight round for all dogs in each class will be determined by the judge after discussion with the handlers entered in that class. The starting weight will be no less than three (3) times the weight of the heaviest dog in weight class, plus the weight of the cart and traces. A pull will not be valid unless it is a completed uninterrupted pull. Fouls or alibis occurring will result in the pull being started over.
27) THE JUDGE will determine the increase in weight to be pulled for each round. THE JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL!
28) Every dog has the right to "sit out" on a weight increase NO MORE THAN 4 TIMES. (Choose to pull at a weight increase or wait for the next weight increase). This need not be done consecutively. "Sit outs- will start after a dog starts pulling in the class..
29) All dogs entered in a weight class will pull to completion (pull out) and awards determined before another weight class begins. Every dog will pull to his/her weight limit, in the class entered, thereby determining the first, second and third place awards. A process of elimination at increased weights determined by the judge is the only way to eliminate dogs until awards can be given. Weight classes can be combined if holding area can accommodate all the dogs in the class. Extra care must be taken to keep records straight when combining classes.
30) Dogs will pull in turn, but no dog will be required to pull without five minutes allowed between pulls. If the rest period is taken, the pull is to continue with dog re-entering as soon as rest period is up. Handler may choose to waive the 5 minute rest period if desired.
31) Dogs will be harnessed after being called to get ready and remain harnessed in the holding area until the dog is called to the pulling track. Dog will then be able to compete. He will be eliminated if he fails to complete the pull, or fouled out, or he will remain at the rear of the line in the holding area for the next pulling round. (Harness may be removed from dog between pulls, as long as contestant does not hold up pull). The cart will be placed with front wheels directly behind and touching the starting line. The round is complete and time recorded when front wheels first touch the finish line.
32) Two handlers may work the dog and bait. (If bait is used, it MUST be held in front of the dog.) Handlers will be allowed in the pulling area, with bait if desired, in any position and as close to the dog as desired, as long as the dog is unable to get hold of bait. Handler will allow no more than one foot of slack in the traces.
33) Baiting of the dog will be allowed by handlers inside the pulling area. No food or live bait will be allowed. (Example of approved bait) Piece of leather hide, tire, frisbee, squeak toy, etc. ANY OBJECT THAT MAY BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE IMAGE OF THE BREED WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS BAIT. ALL ITEMS TO BE USED AS BAIT MUST BE APPROVED BY THE JUDGE PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE COMPETITION. THE JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL! No baiting will be allowed that encourages aggression towards humans, such as hitting the other handler, attack training sleeve, etc. Handlers must remain inside the pulling track area until the pull is completed or time is up.
(Some American Pit Bull Terriers need to have bait in order for them to pull. We are not teaching them to go after bait, just sparking their genetic instinct, in order for them to pull. Being an intelligent dog and the fact that most pit bulls are housed on chains, they soon learn just how far their chain will go and when they feel a slight tug of resistance, they will stop pulling, thinking they have reached the end of the chain. This is indeed an obstacle if the dog you are teaching is housed on a chain. Therefore, bait is usually a necessity.) Command pullers are quickly replacing bait pullers, but both styles are allowed.
Ace's class This is a class that is held for dogs that have earned the title of "Ace". Only "Ace's" may compete (100 points +) in this class. A minimum of 8 dogs is suggested. Points earned from this class will go towards advancing the title of "Ace" to degrees of "Aces."
Weight divisions for the Ace of Ace class:
44lbs & under,
44lbs plus to 64lbs.
64lbs plus and over.
Dogs must enter their own weight class only! Four (4) "sit outs" are allowed each dog. ("Ace" sit outs are 3 minutes.) Males and females pull together in weight classes. Weight classes can be combined. Extra care must be taken to keep records straight if combining weight classes.
The beginning weight to be pulled will be decided by the handlers and judge.
Aces will be competing for Most Weight Pulled trophy award, Most Weight Pulled Per Pound of Body Weight trophy award, along with 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place award in each weight division. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place awards will be decided by most weight pulled per pound of body weight in Ace class only. Sex of winners is not a factor. (It is a fact that the strongest dog is the one that can pull the most weight per body pound. The focus of the Ace class is to determine the strongest dog of the days competition.)
Most Weight Pulled - 15 points - (trophy award)
Most Wt. Pulled per LB.. - 15 points - (trophy award)
1st place - 10 points (ribbon award)
2nd place - 7 points (ribbon award)
3rd place - 4 points (ribbon award)
A total of 200 points will give your dog the title of "Ace of Ace". 300 points "Ace of Ace I", 400 points "Ace of Ace II" etc.
All of these rules should be consistent in all areas of the country. If any clarifications are needed on the meaning of any of these rules, contact the office of the ADBSI immediately! 801-936-7513
*Attention Clubs* To insure consistency and to avoid problems, if your club feels that you can not hold your Ace of Ace class separate from the regular weight pull classes, due to time or any other reason, DO NOT HOLD THIS CLASS!! If this class is held with the regular weight pull, ALL POINTS EARNED BY THE ACE'S WILL BE VOID, and clubs will be penalized.
*Copyright 1999 - American Dog Breeders Assoc. Inc./American Dog Breeders Show Inc.