Divisions

Competitors may compete at any division level. The exception to this is Juniors (see classification for clarification).

After competing at any level, competitors may not move down a level. Special dispensation may be obtained from the rules committee in extreme circumstances.

Competitions refer to sanctioned Paws 2 Dance competitions.  A  fun match is not considered to be a titling competition.

Competitors must move up to a higher level division once they have achieved the lower level title.

An individual is defined as one handler with one dog. A pair is defined as two handlers with two dogs. A team is defined as two or more handlers with the same amount of dogs.

Juniors (Division 1 individual, Div. 2 pairs, Div. 3 teams)

• Music time 1.5 - 2.5 minutes
• Dogs may be on or off leash or any combination thereof.
• Juniors may compete in this division until their 16th birthday.
• Competitors in this division may not have competed at the intermediate or advanced levels.
• Juniors, however, may compete with dogs that have competed at higher levels.
• When a competitor has achieved two scores of 5.0 out of 10.0 or more, at two different competitions they will have achieved their title for this level.
• After achieving a title for this level, Juniors may elect to move up to a higher level division or may continue to compete in this division until their 16th birthday.

Novice A (Division 4 individual, Div. 5 pairs, Div. 6 teams)

• Music time 1.5 - 2.5 minutes.
• Dogs may be on or off leash or any combination thereof.
• Competitors in this division may not have competed at the intermediate or advanced levels.
• Juniors, however, may compete with dogs that have competed at higher levels.
• When a competitor has achieved two scores of 5.0 out of 10.0 or more, at two different competitions they must move up to a higher level division and will have achieved their title for this level.

Novice B (Division 7 individual, Div. 8 pairs, Div. 9 teams)

• Music time 1.5 - 2.5 minutes
• Dogs may be on or off leash or any combination thereof.
• This division is for competitors who have competed at the intermediate or advanced levels who want to compete with a new dog i.e.. Dogs that have not competed at the intermediate or higher levels.
• When a competitor has achieved two scores of 5.0 out of 10.0 or more, at two different competitions, they must move up to a higher level division and will have achieved their title for this level.

Novice X, (Division 10 individual, Div. 11 pairs, Div. 12 teams)

• Music time 1.5- 3.5 minutes
• THE BALANCE OF THIS IS YET TO BE ANNOUNCE
• STAY TUNED
• When a competitor has achieved two scores of 6.0 out of 10.0 or more, at two different competitions they must move up to a higher level division and will have achieved their title for this level.

Veterans (Division 13, individual, Div. 14 pairs, Div. 15 teams)

• Music Time 1.5 - 2.5 minutes
• This is for dogs 7 years of age or older who have achieved a Novice A or Novice B title and are healthy.
• Once a dog is entered in Verterans, it must remain in that division and after obtaining the Veterans title may continue to compete in Verterans.
• This division will be offered “time permitting” dependant upon the venue and this will be considered before adding it to the premium list.

Intermediate (Division 16 individual, Div. 17 pairs, Div. 18 teams)

• Music time 1.5 - 3.5 minutes.
• Dogs must be off leash for the entire routine.
• When a competitor has achieved two scores of 7.0 out of 10.0 or more, at two different competitions they must move up to a higher level division and will have achieved their title for this level.

Advanced (Division 19 individual, Div. 20 pairs, Div. 21 team)

• Music time 1.5 - 3.5 minutes.
• Dogs must be off leash for the entire routine.
• When a competitor has achieved two scores of 8.0 out of 10.0, or more, at two different competitions they have achieved their title for this level.
• Competitors may compete at this level indefinitely.

Masters (Division 22 individual)

• Music time 1.5 - 3.5 minutes.
• This level is suggested for professional trainers, although anyone may choose to compete at this level.
• Dogs must be off leash for the entire routine.
• The competitor must enter two routines with the same dog and the total score will be the average of both routines.
• When a competitor has achieved three scores of 8.0 out of 10.0, or more, at three different competitions they will have achieved their title for this level.

Canine Dressage

The intent and spirit of the sport is to develop quality heelwork.  Handlers and their dogs may enter any level but will not be able to compete at a lower level once they have competed at a higher level.  To title at any level, competitors must successfully complete one leg.  At each level, specific required elements will be identified.  The required elements have been selected with training progression in mind.  Suggested elements and ideas for choreography are also provided but handlers are free to innovate.

Levels

Novice 1,                     Novice 2,                         Novice 3   (all on leash) Pass - 50

Intermediate 1,             Intermediate 2,               Intermediate 3   (off leash) Pass - 65

Advanced 1,                Advanced 2 , (off leash) Pass – 80

Components of Routine which will be judged

• Heel position: heel position is to be maintained other than for opening, closing, transitions, or control moves.
• Choreography: movement is in time to the music, regardless of the tempo or pace of movement. Movement is sensitive to music. Routine covers the ring. Routine includes a variety of moves, lines, paces. Transitions are smooth, creative.
• Dog Attitude and workability
• Handler: moves with balance and ease; costume is suitable for music but does not overshadow dog movements. Minimal props.
• Required Elements: specific requirements for each level (must be completed for pass)

Choreography and element suggestions for any Level

• Routine covers ring
• transitions are smooth, varied, creative
• movement is sensitive to music change
• movement includes straight lines and curves
• pace varies: normal, slow, fast

Heeling

• Heel on left side or right side, forward, backward, sideways toward handler, sideways away from handler, halfpasses (diagonal)

Modified Heeling:

• crawl, upright (on hind legs), high stepping, skipping

Turns: (on either side)

• left turn, right turn, about turn, 360° pivots, 720° pivots

Control Moves: (dog is still and handler moves around dog)

• sit, stand, bow, beg, down, upright (on hind legs) other poses

Paw movement: 

• high stepping - stationary, normal pace, slow

Required Elements and Divisions

(Advanced criteria may require adjusting)

Canine Dressage, Novice - Level 1 (Division 23)

• Music time 1.5 – 3.5
• All on leash
• Maintain control of dog throughout routine in approximate heel position.
• Passing score is 50

Canine Dressage, Novice - Level 2 (Division 24)

• Music time 1.5 – 3.5
• All on leash
• Elements of previous divisions plus must move backwards in a straight line a minimum of 4 steps.
• Passing score is 50

Canine Dressage, Novice - Level 3 (Division 25)

• Music time 1.5 – 3.5
• All on leash
• Elements of previous divisions plus must make an inward side pass and an outward side pass, minimum 4 steps.
• Passing score is 50

Dressage Intermediate 1:  (Division 26)

• Music time 2.0 – 3.5
• All off leash
• Elements of novice plus heeling on right side 8 steps; right 360° pivot; left 360° pivot*
• Passing score is 65

Dressage Intermediate 2:  (Division 27)

• Music time 2.0 – 3.5
• All off leash
• All elements of previous divisions plus right side back heel ;forward figure 8
• Passing score is 65

Dressage Intermediate 3:  (Division 28)

• Music time 2.0 – 3.5
• All off leash
• All elements of previous divisions plus right side inward and outward passes  ;backward figure 8
• Passing score is 65

Dressage Advanced 1:  (Division 29)

• Music time 2.5 – 3.5
• All off

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