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Dogtrekking
is an extreme cynologic endurance sport, in which extraordinary
distances are covered in
a set time limit.
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When dogtrekking, the handler is connected with the dog either
by a harness and a line clipped to the hipster belt or the
handler controls the dog just with a lead (or alternating both
variants). Dogs cannot
be let off the lead in any case (not even for a short time).
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The dogtrekking competitions are usually organised for 100
kilometres or more. Dogtrekking for 80 km can be allowed as the
shortest possible race. The races can be split into stages (with
different start and
finish points) or they respect just the time limit. In the case
of stage dogtrekking, each stage is recommended to be at least
40 km long.
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When dogtrekking, the participants need to rely on their own
strength and before starting the race,
they have to sign a declaration that they are entering the
competition exclusively at their own risk and
assume full responsibility for themselves and their dogs.
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Dogtrekking is an outdoor cynologic sport that develops physical
and mental skills of the competitors
(for example sense of direction). It develops coordination and
mutual understanding between humans
and dogs.
DOGTREKKING COMPETITION RULES
Preamble
The dogtrekking competitions are organised according to the
dogtrekking Competition Rules and are always held in accordance with
the Animal Protection Code in collecting dogtrekking races, which
has been approved by the Central Commission for Animal Protection
and was affixed with the reference number 19918/2005-11020.
The Competition Rules regulate the system of organisation of
dogtrekking competitions in the
territory of the Czech Republic and evaluation of such competitions.
The competition rules must be kept by all competition participants,
in particular:
Officers, organiser's staff
participants
assistants
Characteristics
Dogtrekking is an extreme cynologic endurance sport, in which
extraordinary distances are covered
in a set time limit.
When dogtrekking, the handler is connected with the dog either by a
harness and a leash clipped to the hipster belt or the handler
controls the dog just with a lead (or alternating both variants).
Dogs cannot be let off the lead in any case (not even for a short
time).
The dogtrekking competitions are usually organised for 100
kilometres or more. Dogtrekking for
80 km can be respected as the shortest possible race. The races can
either be split into stages (with different start and finish points)
or they respect just the time limit. In the case of a stage
competition, each stage is recommended to be at least 40 km long.
When dogtrekking, the participants need to rely on their own
strength and before starting the race, they have to sign a
declaration that they are entering the competition exclusively at
their own risk and assume full responsibility for themselves and
their dogs.
Dogtrekking is an outdoor cynologic sport that develops the physical
and mental skills of the competitors (for example sense of
direction). It develops coordination and mutual understanding
between humans and dogs.
1. Responsibility and competence
The Competition Rules are suggested by the dogtrekking technical
committee (hereinafter referred
to as TVDT) so that they will comply with the current needs.
TVDT modifies the Competition Rules according to the new issues
identified in the respective season for the upcoming season,
provided such comments are justified and respect the Competition
Rules.
The TVDT includes the representatives of organisers of dogtrekking
competitions in particular it checks to make sure the Competition
Rules are kept.
The competition director is responsible for keeping the Competition
Rules.
2. Competition calendar
The competition calendar includes the list of all the approved
competitions in the respective season, which are going to be held in
the territory of the Czech Republic according to the Race Rules and
according to this Competition Rules. The approved competitions will
be included in the Czech Cup.
The schedule calendar is elaborated by the authorised administrator
on the basis of application
forms from organisers. The e-mail address to the competition
administrator is
servis@dogtrekking.info
The organiser shall submit the application for being included in the
schedule calendar to the administrator by 10 December so that the
preliminary schedule calendar can be compiled.
3. Organiser's obligations
Presentation
In presentation, the participant shall submit a valid vaccination
card with the respective confirmation of valid obligatory
vaccination more details can be provided in the regulations for
the respective competition. The participant will receive the
starting number or registration card from the organiser plus the
trail itinerary. The organiser shall set the starting fee
in the regulations and shall specify the method of payment.
Obligatory kit
The organisers of the dogtrekking competition shall specify the
obligatory kit in the regulations. The organiser shall set the
method of checking the obligatory kit also in the regulations. The
necessary kit depends on the character and difficulty of the
respective competition. The obligatory kit always includes a bivouac
kit (sleeping bag and groundsheet/mat or hammock), food
for dog and handler, plastic water bottles, dog's bowl, headlamp and
the respective area map. The organiser may decide if the obligatory
kit shall include any additional items.
Recommended kit
According to the competition character, the organiser may
recommend additional kit items (which are not obligatory and are not
subject to checking).
Trail
It respects all the environment protection principles. When
choosing the trail, organisers try
to avoid roadways as much as possible.
Itinerary and trail marking
It will be received by the participants at a presentation.
Time limit
The organisers shall set the time limit, until when the
competition has to be completed. The participants, who complete the
competition after the time limit will not be included in the final
classification, along with the participants who drop out of the
competition before the finish. Some (stage) competitions prescribe
target points for each stage, which have to be reached within the
time limit. Mostly only the total time limit is set and the
participants choose the bivouac localities
and the necessary rest times (according to the then current needs of
the participant and the dog).
Nuances
They are defined in the organiser's regulations. Dogtrekking
competitions allow "dog backpacks", in which the dog can carry a
part of the obligatory load, however never more than one third of
the dog's bodyweight. Any participant may start with more than one
dog, with the corresponding volume of dog food and water; each dog
has to have its own bowl. Those who start with more than one dog
have to reach the finish point by the time limit with all the dogs.
Otherwise such person is not included in the classification.
Dog breeds
Dogtrekking is open to any dog breeds, including crossbreeds. The
dog has to cover the entire distance "on foot".
Information about the meeting
At the meeting, the participants will be instructed about if they
are allowed to replenish water and food from local resources, what
the trail system is natural reserve, protected area, etc., when no
bivouac is permitted or what the marking method is.
Start
The participants start according to the starting list. A
participant who has a delay will be
put at the end of the starting grid. Time is counted according to
the starting list.
Check points
The organiser may set up any number of checkpoints along the trail
either permanent or secret ones (or both).
Picking up the participant in an emergency
If the organiser has the respective capacities available, he will
ensure transport of the surrendering participants to the race finish
area. The transport availability can be specified in the regulations
as the last option only in the case of emergency, or the regulations
can specify the form of the financial contribution to the costs of
transport.
State administration
The organiser has to apply properly and in a timely manner for a
permit to
be granted by the state authorities having the local competence, by
the veterinary authorities and other institutions according to the
competition venue.
4. Obligations of the participant
Registration
By registration, the participant acknowledges the conditions
declared for the competition. The organiser may refuse the
application stating the reason, especially when the
number of participants is exceeded or in the case of
disqualification in a previous competition.
Age limits
The participants have to be older than 18 years. In the case of a
participant of 15 to 18 years old, consent of the parents in writing
has to be provided.
Dog age
The minimum dog age is one year.
Veterinary prerequisites
Upon presentation, the dog handlers will receive a valid
vaccination
card with confirmation of obligatory vaccination according to the
up-to-date veterinary conditions. The regulations may specify the
veterinary conditions in detail or the veterinary conditions may be
expanded.
Doping
The dog owner is obliged to ensure that the dog will not be under
the influence of doping. The organiser is entitled to perform a
doping test of any dog registered for the competition.
Moving along the trail
The participants move along the trail individually or in pairs as
a maximum. They can bivouac individually or in pairs. The only
groups tolerated are those created shortly after the start or while
overtaking. In the case of a stage competition, there is an
obligatory bivouac in
the specified place.
Responsibility
of a participant The participant is fully responsible for
the behaviour of his/her dog. It is strictly forbidden to use
physical urging and pain causing aids. The participant is obliged to
provide first aid to his/her dog and to find assistance from the
nearest veterinary doctor. If the dog's state of health requires it,
the dog has to be removed from the competition. In such a case the
participant will not be classified.
Punishing the dogs
Physical punishing of dogs is forbidden. The only exception is
dispersing a dogfight.
5. Categories
The participants are divided into the following categories: DTM1
men under 40, DTM2 men over 40, DTW1 women under 35, DTW2
women over 35 years of age. The decisive criterion is the year of
birth if the respective man/woman does not reach the age of 41
(36) in the respective calendar year, s/he will be classified in
DTM1 (DTW1).
The individual participants register themselves in the respective
category as early as in the application form for the particular
competition it is not possible to start in two different
categories in the same season.
6. Awarding points in the Czech Republic championship
The method of awarding points in the Czech Republic dogtrekking
championship will be defined in the TVDT meeting before the
subsequent season and will be published together with the schedule
calendar.
7. Violation of rules, sanctions, protests
Violation of rules
The organisers shall report any violation of rules to the
competition director. The participant who wants to report an offence
of other participants has to provide the report (including verbal
report) to the competition director immediately after reaching the
finish (or by mobile phone along the trail). After any verbal
offence report, the written report has to follow within one hour
after reaching the finish otherwise the verbal report will not be
taken into consideration.
Protests and hearings
Any participant who is reported in the report on rules offending
or who participates in the offence has the right to a hearing before
the competition management and may raise an objection to the report
in writing.
Competition management
It includes the competition director and the persons authorised by
the director.
Disciplinary action
each offence against the rules will be punished by the competition
management by disqualification. The notice has to be given without
any delay before announcing the results. The participant will also
be disqualified for obligatory kit being missing, for bad dog
treatment, for rude behaviour towards other participants, organisers
or spectators, for being apparently under the influence of narcotics
during the competition, or for aggressive conduct of the dog towards
other dogs and humans (attacking them).
Appeals
Any decision of the event management is final and uncontestable
for the respective event.
Greetings to all beginners
All the information here is for you!!!
It is a challenge for all who are going to take part in their first
dogtrek and are looking for a lot of vital information. If you want
to resolve any problem, do not hesitate to ask :o) .
At the official dogtrekking site, there is great discussion with the
participation of almost all dogtrekking enthusiasts and also
organisers, so you can find a lot of useful information there.
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How do you start dogtrekking?
Do you like walking with your dog, do you cover long distances and
are you ready to spend several hours outdoors? If so, go and see the
web dogtrekking presentations (www.dogtrekking.info
/
www.dogtrekking.cz).
As mentioned in the rules, dogtrekking is an extreme endurance
sport, which you can verify by checking the CR Championship series,
where a short trail is about 40 km and a long trail over 80 km.
The long trail is a race trail and is walked/run while being timed,
and the time always has a limit (which is specified in the
regulations). According to the organiser's decision, the short trail
may also be measured. The start and finish are at the same point
(camp) for both trails.
There is an outdoor sleep-over in the case of a long trail, or the
competition may be a non-stop one. The obligatory kit described in
the regulations for each series has to be complied with for long
trails, and if the organiser decides, also for short trails
(otherwise only the recommended kit is specified). The kit is
checked by the organiser!
Awarding points in a long trail: 1st place = 15 points, 2nd place =
14 points, 15th place = 1 point. Each participant who reaches the
finish within the set limit in 15th place or worse will be awarded 1
point.
After you arrive to the place specified by the organiser,
accommodate yourself and find the organiser, to whom you should
report your presence with the vaccination card in your hand. You
will receive the information from the organiser about what time the
trail briefing will be held. After registration you can unpack your
things, meet new people or do anything you like. After the briefing
you can sleep or chat with others. The competition starts at 7 am,
with 1 min. intervals; the time of your start will be displayed by
the organiser in some well-visible spot in the evening after the
briefing. After starting, a nice walk with your four-legged friend
awaits you.
The obligatory kit is checked upon reaching the finish.
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Before you set out on a dogtrek, either a short or long trail, try
to walk 40 km as a test. Try to prepare a trail according to a map
in your area (calculate the number of kilometres for example
according to the internet, where you can calculate km and you will
know for sure that you really covered the short distance of 40 km
with your dog); in this way you will find out what distance you are
able to cover and to what extent the walked kilometres resulted in
pain in your feet, back, legs, etc. It should be no problem for your
dog to cover 40 km, but of course test your buddy too. Complete the
trial with the dog's harness on, with the dog linked to you and with
compliance of all rules exactly as if it was a real race. Also write
down the time when you start and the time when you got to finish. Do
not forget the obligatory kit!!! (even when you go less than 40 km,
have a first aid kit with you as well as sufficient volume of water,
a lamp, a MAP etc.).
After you return from such trip you will find out that you should
have packed a cap in your backpack, as there was unbelievable wind
blowing on the mountain ridge and the rain could have been better
fought with a plastic raincoat, but there was nothing like that in
your backpack:o)
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What does the following sentence in the regulations mean exactly:
"The participants move along the trail individually, in pairs as a
maximum"?
According to the dogtrekking rules, only two people may go together,
each having one or two dogs. A larger group is only tolerated when
the competitors are overtaking each other at the respective moment
and only for the time inevitable to overtake rivals. In fact each
participant goes at his/her own pace and no larger groups form on
the trail, and if they do, it is just for some short sections.
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Can I withdraw from the race at any time?
Withdrawing from the race is permitted. The participant is
transported from the trail on the basis of an agreement with the
organiser for a fee of CZK 50.00, unless stated otherwise by the
organiser.
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