Flyball

Flyball Mr G Frechen (Germany)

This rule summary relates to the Crufts flyball team competition and qualifiers and will be run in conjunction with the UKFL Crufts qualifier rules and The Kennel Club Code of Conduct.

All qualifiers will be run in conjunction with UK Flyball League and will either be run during a UKFL show or at an approved UKFL venue. Teams, dogs and handlers do not need to be UKFL registered but must abide by the UKFL Crufts qualifier rules and any regulations listed on the entry schedule.

Each team shall consist of six handlers and dogs, four of which will run at any one time. Each team can also have a team captain, a box loader and an addition person to act as runner / ball collector. A club may enter more than one team, and a club may qualify more than one team for the finals at Crufts.  No handler or dog can enter/compete in more than one team. 

Qualifiers will based on a single or double elimination system.

All dogs entering into the qualifiers must be a minimum of 18 months old, at the time of the qualifier and be registered on the KC Activity or Breed register. 

At least one dog in each team must be a designated breed dogs, The designated breed dog must be registered with The Kennel Club on the Breed Register or on the Activity Register as a Kennel Club registered breed (excluding Border Collies / Working Sheep Dogs).

There must be at least one designated breed dog running in each heat and the finals at crufts.

The two highest placed teams at each qualifier will be invited to compete in the flyball competition at Crufts, for which an entry fee will be charged.  This will be a team competition (knockout), also known as a single eliminator.  In this competition the best of three runs will decide the winners which will to go into the next round.

• The jumps will have an inside width of 30”. 
• The jump bases will be 5” high, with a total height of 9 inches  
• The 1” topslat will be flexible / breakable and have rounded edges. There will be no padding on top of the top slat.

• Each team is responsible for providing its own flyball box, which should be safe and fit for purpose. 
• The flyball box must meet the following specifications:
  1. All Boxes are to have a pressure pedal to mechanically release the trigger/launcher system. 
  2. Boxes may be decorated and/or painted any colour. Logos and/or lettering are permitted. 
  3. When triggered, the Flyball box must eject the ball. The ball must be able to travel at least 24" from all points of release toward the Start/Finish line. 
  4. The box cannot exceed 30” in width, nor exceed 20” in height. 
  5. Mats or grabbing devices to hold the box in place cannot raise the box more than ½" higher than the maximum allowed height. 
  6. The body of the box cannot exceed 30” in depth, excluding the base upon which the box loader stands. 
  7. The box shall not exceed these dimensions at any time during racing, excluding carrying handles and stakeholders. 

NOTE: Boxes should be constructed with the comfort and wellbeing of the dog in mind. Sharp edges must be avoided and adequate padding and protection should be used. The officiating judge has the right to refuse the use of any flyball box they deem to be unfit to use and teams can not use any external modification that could be classed as training aids; they will be asked to remove them before they can carry on racing. 

Each club shall provide its own supply of balls. Approved balls may be of any size, colour or design and must bounce and roll. Balls may not contain a noise maker eg. squeakers or bells. The ball must be able to travel 24" when released by the box. 

Only handlers and dogs who are members of the original team and named on the qualifier entry form, will be allowed to compete at Crufts and only by exceptional circumstances will any change be allowed. Any change requests must be submitted by email for approval to crufts@ukflyball.org.uk

Entry to Crufts qualifiers will be done via email (crufts@ukflyball.org.uk) schedules will be available for entry 12 weeks prior to the date of the qualifier with a closing date of 8 week prior to the qualifiers. A qualifier will be deemed as entered when the entry and payment are received. An email confirmation will be sent. Teams that have qualified for Crufts at previous qualifiers, within the 8 week closing date period will be able to withdraw from the qualifier and will be entitled to a full refund.

Objections must be made to either the show secretary before the end of the competition or submitted by email (crufts@ukflyball.org.uk) within 7 days of the qualifier. All objections must be accompanied with an objection fee of £35 and include a statement detailing the objection, quoting the relevant rules and contact information.

No sponsorship at the final at Crufts is permitted to be featured on the flyball boxes and any sponsorship of clothing is subject to Kennel Club approval and in any case will be limited to one small breast pocket logo.