GSMDCA Weight Pull Rules

Section A, Eligibility for entry:

1. All breeds are eligible to enter. Only GSMDs will be allowed to enter National Specialty Weight Pulls.
2. Dogs must be at least 14 months of age to compete at both fun pulls and sanctioned pulls. Dogs between 14 and 18 months are required to stop pulling when the weight increment that is closest to but greater than 10 times their weight is passed.
3. No pregnant, nursing, or lactating bitches or bitches in heat will be allowed to enter. If such a bitch is allowed to enter deceitfully, the Judge will disqualify that dog and no entry fee will be refunded.
4. No dog that is lame has open sores or an obvious medical condition shall be allowed to enter. The judge may disqualify dogs that are not fit to pull. Dogs shall have up to date vaccinations.
5. No dogs that are aggressive to humans will be allowed to enter. (Muzzled or not muzzled). No aggressive action will be allowed by dogs toward handler or any official during pull competition. If a dog of this temperament is allowed to enter in error the Judge will disqualify that dog and no entry fee will be refunded. (Remember other persons than yourself may handle your dog). Excitement is not to be interpreted as aggression.
6. Any aggressive action or abuse from handler to dog will warrant an immediate expulsion from the weight pull. After such incident occurs, the weight pull division of the GSMDCA reserves the right to ban said handler from participating in any future club weight pulls.

Section B, Weight Classes and Awards:

1. The dog will be weighed and placed into one of the following four weight divisions: Up to 89 lbs., 90 to 109 lbs., 110 to 129 lbs., 130 lbs. and over. Ribbons will be awarded for first through forth in each weight class. A trophy award will be given for Most Weight Pulled and Most Weight Pulled Per Pound of Body Weight.
2. At the organizers discretion awards may only be available to GSMDs.

Section C, Equipment and Pulling Area:

1. Owner of the dog must supply harness. Some clubs may have a harness to sell or to lend out. It is up to contestants to acquire their own harness. Harnesses must fit properly in order to pull. Any harness used must be a "standard harness". Shocks, springs, etc. cannot be used on harnesses. No leashes will be attached to the dog, collar, or harness while the dog is pulling. Choke collars whether chain or fabric are not allowed when the dog is pulling. A dog may be lead into the chute with a choke but it must be removed before the handler leaves the dog.
2. All equipment used by contestants must be checked by the Judge prior to use.
3. No artificial aids may be used on dogs. (Drugs, stick-em, etc). A drug test can be done at any given weight pull without prior notice. Dog's feet will be checked to insure they are clean and free of stick-em.
4. The Judge will certify the cart and weight. Total weight of the cart and traces will be considered as part of the total weight pulled.
5. The cart shall be capable of safely holding 3500#. It shall have pneumatic tires. There shall be a spare tire available. It is recommended that the cart dimensions remain within 36 to 60 inches in width to the outside of the tires and 60 to 96 inches in total length. It is also recommended that the weight of the empty cart not exceed 350#.
6. Traces will not be less than four feet, nor longer than six feet.
7. Time shall be taken with two digital stopwatches and be recorded to 2 decimal places. If the two timekeepers do not record the same time it will be recorded as an average of the actual times. In the case of an extreme discrepancy between the recorded times the Judge shall decide which time shall be recorded.
8. Pulling track will be roped off (or otherwise blocked) ten feet on each side of track to prevent spectators from crowding pulling track and distracting the pulling contestant. All dogs should also be kept well away from pulling track.
9. The holding area should be positioned behind the pulling track, (If site permits) far enough away the pulling dog will not be interfered with.
10. Starting and finishing lines will be marked plainly and be exactly 15 feet apart. Length of pulling surface should extend far enough beyond the 15 feet so that the dog may remain on the pulling surface after pulling is completed.
11. Surface – The surface must be as smooth and level as possible. Any paved surface must be covered with an adequate carpet, in order to protect the dog's feet.
12. Entry forms, pull sheets, final stat sheets and title leg confirmation forms shall be uniform and originals from which copies may be made can be obtained from the current GSMDCA Weight Pull Chair. Weight pull records are the property of the GSMDCA and all completed forms shall be returned to the Weight Pull Chair within 14 days after the pull. Local organizers are encouraged to make copies for their own records.
13. Each handler shall be given a copy of these rules.

Section D, Procedure:

1. The starting weight shall be that of the empty cart and traces
2. Dogs that have earned their WWD Title, are sanctioned IWPA pullers or can demonstrate to the Judges satisfaction that they have at least an intermediate level of pulling experience may choose to start pulling when the weight increment that is closest to but less than 5 times their weight is reached.
3. The Head Judge shall determine weight increments. All dogs must pull or pass each increment. Increments can only be changed between rounds
4. Dogs will be harnessed after being called to get ready and will remain harnessed in the holding area until the dog is called to the pulling track. After each successful pull the dog will remain in the holding area for the next pulling round. (Harnesses may be removed from dog between pulls, as long as contestant does not hold up the pull).
5. Dogs may pull each round or a handler may choose to pass either one or two times in a row. i.e. (pull, pull, pull, pull), (pull, pass, pull), or (pull, pass, pass, pull).
6. Time will begin when the Handler calls the dog or the dog attempts to move the cart.
7. Dogs have 45 seconds to start the cart moving forward. As long as the cart is steadily moving forward time will continue and the dog may successfully complete the pull.
8. The cart will be placed with front wheels directly behind and touching the starting line. The round is complete and time recorded when front wheels first touch the finish line.
9. The Judge will position the Primary Timekeeper in such a way as to insure that timing will be accurate. The Timekeeper may be mobile or stationary. The Judge may choose to be the Primary Timekeeper
10. No more than one foot of slack in line to be allowed. Handler may be in any position and as close to the dog as desired as long as no touching of dog or equipment occurs. There are to be no treats or bait (example: food, toys, etc) used in the chute at any time, or in the possession of the handler while in the chute. Treats or rewards can be given to the dog back at your site.
11. Handlers must remain inside the pulling track area until the pull is completed or time is up. Only one handler in the chute with dog during the pull.
12. A pull is considered complete as long as no foul or alibi is committed
13. Fouls will be called and entrant will be disqualified in their weight class after three fouls are committed. Fouls carry over from round to round. (Example: foul, foul, out. Or 3 for the entire pull). Fouls may be committed intentionally or unintentionally. Time used prior to fouls is added to the final time if the dog pulls a round successfully. The following is a list of fouls:
    1. Touching the cart or dog in any way after time has been started.
    2. Running out of time. (Taking longer than 45 seconds allowed to start pulling).
    3. Double handling. (Any overt attempt from anyone outside the chute to directly encourage the dog to pull. I.e. calling the dog or any gesture directed towards the dog. However the handler may be advised from outside the chute.
14. Fouls end the current pull. After assisting the dog through the pulling track, handlers must either pull again immediately or at the end of the round.
15. Alibis are unintentional circumstances that occur whereby a dog would not be able to complete a pull. If he feels circumstances are such that the dog may be injuring itself from equipment malfunction or if outside interference occurs that prevents the dog from completing the pull, the Judge will stop time and instruct the handlers to reset their dog. The handler may point out an alibi/interference, but the Judge will have the final decision. If a pull is interrupted by an alibi the dog will be reset and the pull will begin again from the point where the alibi occurred. Time will restart when the handler calls the dog or the dog starts the cart moving forward. If the dog successfully completes a pull after an alibi the time used before the alibi occurred is added to the finial time. Two alibis = one foul.
16. In the event of a tie for Most Weight Pulled, Most Weight Pulled Per Lb or any Class Placement, that tie will be broken according to elapsed time it took to complete the pull. Weight first, time second. In the rare situation that time does not resolve a tie it will be broken by the greater achievement. If a smaller dog ties a larger dog for Most Weight Pulled the greater achievement is the smaller dog's higher weight pulled per Lb. The smaller dog would be awarded Most Weight Pulled. If a larger dog ties a smaller dog for Most Weight Pulled Per Lb the greater achievement is the larger dog’s higher weight pulled. The larger dog would be awarded Most Weight Pulled Per Lb. Judge’s decision will be final!

Section E, Personnel:

1. Head Judge: Responsible for all aspects of the event. Final arbiter of any dispute.
2. Assistant Judge: Primary timekeeper. Judges when Head Judge is pulling or away from the chute. Distributes blank and checks completed entry forms. Collects money.
3. Record Keeper / Assistant Timekeeper: Maintains records, backs up primary timekeeper. Calls out pulling order.
4. Entrance Monitor: Insures upcoming pullers are ready to go. Amplifies upcoming pulling order. Checks equipment. Helps load cart and insures proper increment is loaded.
5. Cart Brake Person / Spotter 1: Brakes Cart after Judge has called "Pull". Returns Cart to starting line and repositions if necessary. Helps load cart. Prevents currently pulling dog from entangling itself in the cart by passively standing in the way if it attempts to go out the back of the chute.
6. Cart Hooker / Spotter 2: Hooks traces to dogs harness when handler is ready. Helps brake cart. Unhooks traces from dogs harness after each pull. Returns Cart to starting line and repositions if necessary. Helps load cart. Prevents currently pulling dog from entangling itself in the cart by passively standing in the way if it attempts to go out the back of the chute.

Section F, Qualifying Weight Pull Judges:

Section G, Titles:

1. Title legs must be earned from the regular / open class.
2. Title legs may be redeemed for a lower title or saved and redeemed for a higher title after the lower title is awarded.
3. Titles are awarded in order lowest to highest. I.E. you must have a lower title before the next title is awarded.
4. Title legs may be earned at non-GSMDCA events as long as the GSMDCA Weight Pull Committee has recognized the organizer.
5. To receive credit for title legs earned at non-GSMDCA events the Weight Pull Chair must receive a confirmation letter signed by the judge for that event and or a certified GSMDCA Weight Pull Judge if present. Published official compiled results may be used in the absence of a letter
6. GSMDs must be over 14 months of age to earn title legs.
7. GSMDs under 18 months of age may only earn title legs toward their WWD.