Regulations for the Canine Sociability and Aptitude Test (TSAC)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Canine Sociability and Aptitude Test, or TSAC, is open to all dog owners, with or without registration in a Stud Book (C.O.), whether or not they are members of a working or breed club, or of a territorial association that is a member of A.Ch.R.

All dogs, without exception, must be at least 12 months old on the day of the examination and presented by their owner. These criteria must be verified by the judge before the tests begin.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

TSAC may be judged by any judge accredited by the Judges’ College for working disciplines within A.Ch.R.

1. Documents that must be attached to the TSAC report:

For dogs registered in a C.O.: A clear, complete photocopy of the pedigree, as well as the tattoo or identification number (microchip/CIP), and the health/vaccination booklet.

For dogs not registered in a C.O.: A clear photocopy of the health/vaccination booklet, as well as the tattoo or identification number (mechanical tattoo or electronic transponder / microchip/CIP).

2. Conditions for organizing TSAC trials:

TSAC examinations may be organized under the auspices of A.Ch.R. member associations or clubs, with A.Ch.R. authorization, either on the occasion of meetings, competitions, or shows organized or patronized by them, or as part of the regular activities of A.Ch.R. member associations and clubs, with A.Ch.R. authorization.

N.B.: The TSAC organizer will ensure the proper conduct of the entire examination activity, create the necessary conditions for it, and will compile a file that includes all required authorizations from the competent authorities in whose jurisdiction the examination will take place (DSV, Police, Emergency services, etc.).

The organizer will also ensure that each dog presented for examination has a file containing the identification documents mentioned above, as well as the judging sheet.

To prevent potential falsifications, these diplomas will be authenticated with the stamp of the association or club organizing the examination, will be signed by the representative of the organizing association or club and by the examining judge, and will be sent to A.Ch.R. for approval. Diplomas will be awarded to dogs deemed fit following the tests, after verification and confirmation of the results by A.Ch.R.

At the end of the examination, the results included in a report, together with all the documents mentioned above, will be sent to A.Ch.R.

Any file considered incomplete or incorrect will be rejected.

The following information must обязательно appear in the report:

• - Examination location,
• - Organizing club,
• - Examination date,
• - Judge’s name and signature,
• - Number of dogs declared fit or postponed

The fitness notification or postponement must be specified by the judge, along with the grade obtained in case of success, namely: "excellent", "very good", "good", "sufficient". Receiving two "insufficient" grades leads to postponement of passing until a later date.

4. Content of the Canine Sociability and Aptitude Test trials.

The main purpose of this test is to verify the dog’s character balance, sociability, and the handler’s ability to exercise control over their animal. The judge’s attention will focus especially on these specific points of the character of the dog being presented.

1. Checking stability and sociability in the owner’s presence and absence.

The handler, with their dog in the middle of a group of people (6–10 people), in the basic position and on leash, approaches the judge and the assistant for presentation. Heelwork over a distance of 20 meters must be demonstrated. After the presentation (handler’s name, dog’s name, age, breed), the handler hands the leash to the judge’s assistant who, after brief contact with the dog, gently begins physical handling (stroking the head, muzzle, back, front and hind legs), after which the microchip is checked. All these operations may be carried out by the assistant or the judge in the presence of the handler, who stands at a distance of 2 meters from the dog.

Throughout this exercise, the dog’s reaction within the group of people, the handler’s level of control, the quality of heelwork, the reaction to the leash being handed over to a stranger, the dog’s stability and sociability during physical handling, and the microchip or tattoo verification must be observed.

2. Reaction to noise in the handler’s presence

After the microchip check, at a minimum distance of at least 5 meters from the dog, a second assistant walks in a straight line in front of the dog at a normal pace, repeatedly making noise using two metal bowls, a pinwheel, or a plastic bottle with pebbles inside. Throughout this exercise, the handler remains within the dog’s visual range, and the dog is held on leash by the judge’s assistant.

3. Dog’s behavior in the handler’s absence

After the second assistant with the noise source moves away, the handler leaves the dog’s visual range for a short period of time. The dog’s reaction in the handler’s absence is observed.

4. Reaction to noise in the handler’s absence

From the direction where the handler disappeared, the second assistant appears, riding a bicycle and at the same time producing medium-intensity noises (horn, bugle). These noises will be made before crossing the dog’s path (at no less than 5 meters distance) and after passing the dog. Throughout this exercise, the handler remains out of the dog’s visual range.

5. Reaction when crossing another dog

At the judge’s signal, the handler returns to their dog and starts heelwork in a straight line over a distance of 20 meters toward the group of people from which they started the examination. Approximately halfway, the handler will cross paths with a second handler accompanied by their dog. Throughout this route, the judge closely accompanies the handler and their dog.

6. Reaction to a moving group of people

After crossing the second dog, the handler continues in a straight line and will cross a moving group of people (6–10 people). Before crossing, one person in the group will open an umbrella within the dog’s visual range, without being threatening toward the dog, and another person will produce a strange medium-intensity noise using a container with pebbles inside. Observe the dog’s self-confidence, nervous stability, and the level of control exercised by the handler.

After the noises are made and the moving group is crossed, at a distance of about 2 steps after passing, the group will turn 180 degrees at a brisk pace and overtake the dog from behind at a running pace, continuing to run for another 10 steps and then stopping. The handler and dog will continue walking until they reach the middle of the group, where they stop in the basic position, which also ends the sociability trial. Observe the reactions to the umbrella, the container with stones, and the people running.

1. Walking on leash

From the start point designated by the judge, proceed with the dog on leash at a walk for a distance of 50 steps forward. After covering this distance, the handler turns back at the same pace toward the start point. When passing through the start point, perform a right turn, continuing for another 15 steps, then perform another direction change to the right for 15 steps, then return to the start point.

In this exercise, two right turns, two left turns, and two about-turns must be performed. After completing the heelwork route through the start point, the handler and dog head toward the group of people they must pass through, going around one person once on the right and once on the left.

2. Stay with the handler out of sight

At the judge’s instruction, the handler and dog go to the designated place for the stay. At the judge’s instruction, the handler leaves the dog in a position of their choice and hides for 3 seconds in a specially prepared place. At the judge’s signal, the handler returns to their dog.

3. Recall

At the judge’s instruction, the handler leaves the dog in a position of their choice and moves away for a distance of 20 steps. At the judge’s signal, the handler calls the dog to them.