New rules for Measuring of dogs came in in 2019, instead of measuring to the withers and subtracing 5 inches from that height, a new ulna measuring system has been introduced:
Extract from the AFA Rules and Policies Document Updated April, 2019:
Section 6.1 – Measuring (a) At the discretion of the Team, Height Dogs may be measured by an officiating Judge during times designated by the host Club.
(b) An officiating Judge may, at any time, conduct the first measure of a dog at a race meeting.
(c) Once the dog is measured, the Judge is under no obligation to remeasure the same dog in the same race meeting (except after an Australian Record run or in some cases when the dog’s height is challenged - refer Section 6.4 below)
(d) If a dog is measured for a second time in a race meeting and the measuring Judge determines that the first measure was incorrect, the Team shall not be penalised for heats completed in accordance with the first measure. However, the Team will be required to jump the second measure height for any remaining heats run with that dog as the height dog.
(e) Measurements are to be open to public observation, but interference to the process is not permitted, including any distraction to the dog in the measuring judge’s opinion. Photographing or video recording of the measure shall be at the measuring judge’s discretion.
(f) Only one (1) handler per dog shall be allowed in the measuring area.
(g) Aggression during measurement will not be tolerated and Section 9.3 (Aggressive Dogs) will be observed.
(h) Jump height determinations are to be recorded and signed by the measuring Judge on the official timesheet. A dog’s jump height that has been determined and recorded by any officiating judge shall be the dog’s official Jump Height for that race meeting, regardless of which ring the dog may run in, subject to 6.4 below.
(i) The measuring area will be determined by the measuring Judge (j) A dog’s Jump Height will be measured by using an Approved Measuring Device (see Figure 6.1C) on both ulnas (see Figure 6.1A). The measurements must be taken by setting the dog’s front legs in two 90-degree angles and measuring from the wrist to the point of the elbow (see figure 6.1B). The measuring Judge must support the forearm (ulna) to the surface of the device and slide the mechanism towards the elbow. The mechanism must then be secured in place and removed from the leg. The Judge must then determine the dog’s Jump Height by reading from the scale on the Approved Measuring Device. If the readings for the dog’s ulnas are different, the dog’s Jump Height will be the lower of the readings.
Table 6.1 Dog Jump Height Measurement Chart
|
ULNA LENGTH |
JUMP HEIGHT |
|
Jump Height Up to 5" |
7" |
|
Over 5" up to 5 ½ " |
8" |
|
Over 5.5" up to 6" |
9" |
|
Over 6"up to 6 ½" |
10" |
|
Over 6.5" up to 7" |
11" |
|
Over 7" up to 7 ½" |
12" |
|
Over 7.5" up to 8" |
13" |
|
Over 8" |
14" |
|
|
|
Figure 6.1A - Dog Ulna (Front Leg) Measurement Location
Figure 6.1B – Leg position for taking the measurement
Figure 6.1C – Measuring Device
Section 6.2 – Height Cards Height Cards are optional and may be applied for by submitting a completed application form (see “Height Form” under the “Members” / “Forms” page on the AFA website) to the AFA. There are a number of requirements:
(a) A dog may only be measured for a Height Card:
(i) where the dog’s birth date is recorded, from 18 months of age; or
(ii) where the dog’s birth date is not recorded, from 12 months after the dog first raced.
(b) A dog must be entered in an AFA sanctioned event in order to have its Jump Height recorded on a Height Card Application (Form C8) at that event;
(c) The Height Card Application Form must be presented to the measuring Judge before the dog is measured;
(d) The form is considered complete when a dog has been measured by an officiating Judge in the presence of a second official (being any of another Judge (whether or not officiating at the race meeting), the AFA representative at the race meeting or a current AFA committee member) and at least one of the officiating Judge and the second official is not a member of the same Club and the dog being measured;
(e) When the application form is completed, it must be forwarded to the Secretary of the AFA with an application fee (refer to Appendix F – Schedule of Fees). The form will be verified and a Height Card issued;
(f) Evidence of the Height Card must be available at a race meeting in order to be taken into account at that race meeting. If a Height Card is not available the dog is subject to normal measuring requirements;
(g) Height Cards issued by the AFA will be good for the life of the dog, subject to 6.5. Once a Height Card has been issued, additional Height Cards for the same dog may not be applied for. Lost Height Cards can be replaced with an identical card (refer to Appendix F – Schedule of Fees).
(h) A Pre-existing Height Card will remain good for the life of the dog, subject to 6.5. However, despite 6.2(g), application may be made for a new Height Card for the dog and the Jump Height of the dog will then be determined in accordance with the procedure and Table in 6.1. When a new Height Card is issued, the Pre-existing Height Card will be cancelled.