For the Stafford Athletics event the dog must hold on to a toy of the Handler’s choice for as long as possible whilst in direct confrontation with a dog of the same class. Opponents are matched by lottery. Should there be an uneven number of dogs, the dog that goes last will be drawn against one of the dogs that finished their match. At the tournament there is a maximum of 20 minutes time, which awards the highest punctuation. Time stops when a dog releases. The dog that let go will be pointed based on the amount of time they held on for until release, their opponent, the winner, is awarded highest punctuation, however it will not count towards a championship title. The only instances that award a title-worthy Black Star are: full 20 minute match, winning against a Ch dog, or winning 3 matches on the same day that total up to 20 minutes.

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The tug toys are connected to an elastic rope. Dogs must be attached to a harness and fastened to a point in the ground behind them that prevents them from reaching the other dog.

 

The Judge or Official will start the time when both handlers are ready and agree their respective dogs have a good hold.

 

Two attempts (in the case your dog lets go ) are permitted in tournaments, if the dog lets go before 20 minutes one time the handler may choose to try a second time, at the cost that the first score is discarded. 

 

The handler is allowed to touch and stroke the dog albeit with only one hand, it is not allowed to touch the toy or the rope attached to the dog’s harness, unless it is to untangle the dog if necessary. No two hands should be at the dog at the same time.