Official Events

The official running and jumping events will be held according to the international rules of Dog Puller. See a summary of these below.

Running Discipline

The goal of the running discipline is to perform as many correct throw-catch-return sequences as possible within the given time. Each correct throw-catch-return is worth 1 point. The performance lasts 90 seconds and starts with two distinct hits of the pullers.

1 point is awarded if all the following conditions are met:

• The handler threw the puller from the starting zone, without stepping on or crossing the line.
• The puller crossed the line between the running and catching zones, and the dog caught it in the catching zone while it was still in motion.
• The puller touched the ground at least once before being caught.
• The dog crossed the line between the starting and running zones while running out.
• The dog crossed the line between the starting and running zones while returning.
• The dog brought the caught puller back to the starting zone without dropping or leaving it anywhere along the way.

The returned puller may be dropped or handed over. In the case of dropping, the puller must land at least partially within the starting zone; in the case of handing over, both the dog and the handler must be inside the starting zone at the moment of the handover. Otherwise, no point is awarded.

Pullers must be thrown alternately and in alternating directions. No point is awarded for repeated use of the same ring or the same direction. No point is awarded if the dog is not in the starting zone at the moment of the double hit during the very first throw.

After throwing, the handler may move freely between zones.

A puller thrown before the "end" signal can still be returned after time runs out and will earn a point if executed correctly.

In the Micro category the field size for each square is 5 meters instead of 10, and these dogs may only use micro pullers.

In the Puppy category the performance lasts 60 seconds, and a point is awarded even if:

• The dog catches the puller when it is no longer moving.
• The dog drops or leaves the puller along the way but still brings it back to the starting zone afterward.

Jumping Discipline

The jumping discipline consists of performing as many jump catches with the dog as possible within the given time. The performance lasts 90 seconds and starts with two distinct hits of the pullers.

Each jump earns 2 points if the dog does not have any paws touching the ground at the moment of the catch, otherwise 1 point is awarded if at least two paws are in the air at the moment of the catch.

No points are awarded in the following cases:

• The dog has at least three paws on the ground at the moment of the catch.
• There are no distinct side switches between catches.
• The dog jumps facing forward, and the main refereee cannot see the dog's shoulder on the given side during the jumps.
• The dog jumps vertically.
• The dog does not move toward the puller during the jump but receives it “into the mouth.”
• The dog does not bite the puller or does so unclearly.
• The dog’s grip is visibly weak – taking into account the breed and age of the dog.
• The dog repeatedly catches the same puller.
• The handler steps outside the field or on the line at the moment of the catch.
• The handler uses a dangerous technique.

After the dog bites onto the puller, the handler may let the puller go.

In the Micro category the field size is 5 meters instead of 10, and these dogs may only use micro pullers.

In the Puppy category, the performance lasts 60 seconds, and the scoring is adjusted:

• 2 points if the dog has two paws in the air at the moment of the catch.
• 1 point if the dog remains fully on the ground.
• 0 points if the dog is fully in the air.

In the Old-timer category, the scoring is adjusted:

• 2 points if the dog has at least two paws in the air at the moment of the catch.

ReStart

If there is a tie in points for the top three positions during a competition, the involved competitors will perform a ReStart.

In the Running discipline, the ReStart consists of 3 throws. Time starts with two distinct hits of the pullers and stops when the dog steps into the starting zone with at least one paw after the third throw.

In the Jumping discipline, the ReStart consists of 10 jumps. Time starts with two distinct hits of the pullers and stops when the dog lands after the tenth jump/catch.

The winner of the ReStart is the one who scores more points, or in case of a tie, the one with the better time.

Categories

We will have the following categories at the World Championship.

Offial categories (award places counting towards the competition between countries for national team members)

• Micro: Dogs under 5 kg or with a withers height below 27 cm, using micro pullers on a 5x5 meter micro field.
• Mini: Dogs with a withers height of up to 36 cm.
• Midi: Dogs with a withers height between 36.01 cm and 48 cm.
• Maxi: Dogs with a withers height of 48.01 cm or above.
• Drive: High-speed breeds, especially border collies, kelpies, their mixes, and sport mixes.
• Heavyweight: Dogs that, due to their breed, body structure, or other physical traits, are not capable of high speeds or the agility required to compete with dogs in other categories. If your dog does not have IDPF approval for this category yet, you will be required to submit videos of your running and jumping performances along with your registration.

Unoffial categories (award places not counting towards the competition between countries)

• Puppy: dogs between 9-18 months of age.
• Veteran: dogs of at least 8 years of age.
• Old-timer: dogs of at least 11 years of age.