American Bulldog association

weight pull competition rules

revised 1999 by the A.B.A. Weight Pull Rules Committee

1. All dogs must be ABA registered.

2. All dogs must be at least 1 year old.

3. No bitches in heat, no pregnant bitches. Bitch will be disqualified if entered, with no refund of entry fee.

4. No man aggressive dogs allowed. Any such dog will be disqualified at the judges discretion with no refund of entry fee.

5. Contestant is responsible for supplying a proper fitting harness. The judge has the authority to disallow the use of any harness they feel is inappropriate.

6. The distance of the pull will be 16 feet from the point the front wheels or runners of the cart begin, to the point where the same wheels or runners cross the finish line.

7. The time limit for a qualified pull is 60 seconds.

8. The track must be leveled and verified so by the judge. Re-leveling to be done only between weight classes or during weight changes on the cart.

9. No training equipment or artificial aids may be used on the dogs [choke collar, pinch collar, stick-um on feet, etc.]. The only exception is a flat collar. The first 2 training pulls may be conducted with a leash or a long-line on the dog for assistance.

10. Dogs will pull on verbal command only, NO bait, NO double-handling (i/e: verbal coaching by anyone other than the dog’s immediate handler). Time will begin when the handler is behind the finish line and gives the command to pull.

Two (2) fouls will be deemed a disqualification

Fouls are as follows:

a. Touching dog or cart after time has started.
b. Any aggressive action by handler towards the dog during the pull or at any time during the event, or any dog’s aggression shown towards any of the judging team.
c. Time expires (60 seconds).
d. False starts (2) i/e: dog starting cart moving forward before the handler is behind the finish line.

11. Interference. The judge may call interference for unintentional circumstances that hinders the dog's pulling ability, i/e. dog tangled in harness, off track, equipment malfunction, etc. When interference is called the dog and cart will re-start from the point of the interference call.

12. All dogs will be weighed under supervision of the judge prior to the beginning of the pull.

Weight Classes
60 lbs & under
61-80 lbs
81-100 lbs
101-120 lbs
120 lbs & up, unlimited

13. Dog may only enter one class equal to or above his weight, at handlers discretion.

14. Traces will be a minimum of four feet and a maximum of 6 feet

15. Any pulling surface that is smooth and level is acceptable. Paved surfaces must be covered with a suitable material, (carpet, rubber mat, etc.).

16. Pulling area will be roped or blocked off 20 feet from both ends of track and no less than 10 feet on each side of the (to keep spectators away from the dogs &track). Absolutely NO spectators with dogs at the track unless they are participating in the actual pull.

17. Titles will be awarded based on percentages of weight pulled. Titles will be acknowledged as follows: All dogs pulling 10 times their body weight will earn a Title I, dogs pulling 15 times their body weight will earn a Title II, dogs pulling 20 times their body weight will earn a Title III, dogs pulling 25 times their body weight will earn a Title IV and be acknowledged as a "Weight-Pull Champion" with the A.B.A.

18. Most Weight Pulled (MWP) and Most Weight Pulled Per Pound (MWPP) will receive an additional ribbon/trophy based on the individual club’s discretion.

19. Males and females will compete equally in all weight divisions.

20. In the event there is a tie for a class (both dogs pulling in the same weight class), the dog pulling with the fastest time will be declared 1st, the other dog will be given 2nd place. (The same will hold true for MWP).

21. There will be a handlers meeting prior to the beginning of the pull but only after registration has closed. This will be for the purpose of discussing rules and other points the judge deems necessary. Round weight increments will be decided at this time.

22. The hosting club will determine if the event will be run by weight classes or pulled straight through.

23. The judge will implement the determined amount of weight to be added after each round.

24. The handler may pass one or two turns but must pull on the third turn. (Dog will not be required to pull the starting weight).

 

 

 

 

 

These rules are subject to amendment as we work the bugs out of this new sport.
© 1998-2007 by the American Bulldog Association