Official Apple Blossom Kennel ("ABK") Scurry Rules

ABK Scurry Events: ABK Scurry Events are the day or days, that one or more ABK Scurries are offered. 

ABK Scurries: ABK Scurries are the individual, timed, retrieving competitions held at ABK Scurry Events. These competitions are aimed at finding the dog that retrieves a dummy/game bird or dummies/game birds in the fastest time. A Club may offer one or many different scurries at one event. 

Breeds Allowed to Enter: Any dog can enter. A dog does not even have to be a gundog breed, nor does it have to be registered by any kennel club. Scurries are fun and welcome those that simply wish to try it out for the day!  

Loud, Obnoxious and Unsteady Dogs: All loud obnoxious dogs must remain crated away from the Scurry course until they are ready to run. Any dog that is loud and obnoxiously barking while waiting at the line to be released, will receive a 30 second or 60 second add on to their time, dependent upon the severity and at the judges discretion. Any dog that breaks over the line before being sent will receive an added 30 seconds to their time for unsteadiness.

Handler Age Requirements: There are no age requirements for handlers. As long as the handler is in full control of their dog at all times and parental permission is given, handlers of any age may enter an ABK Scurry competition. Handlers under 18 years of age must have written parental permission to enter a Scurry and are eligible for Junior prizes along with regular points and prizes. 

Handling/Communication: Handlers are allowed to use verbal cues, whistles, and other hand gestures and commands at any time during their run.

Event Attire: British hunting/country attire is strongly encouraged! (but not required) And each club will offer a prize for best dressed in authentic British hunting/country attire. 

Dog Equipment: No e-collars, head halters or flexi leads are allowed on the grounds. Any other secure collar or harness is allowed when the dog is not running, and a 6' leash or shorter is required. However, when the dog is running, the dog must run without any equipment on.

Running the ABK Scurry: Dogs and Handlers start behind a line or starter box marked on the ground. The Judge starts the time clock as soon as the dog crosses the line and stops the clock as soon as the dog crosses back over the line. Automatic timers or hand held timers are both acceptable. The fastest time for each dog will be used as the qualifying run. Dogs may run in any scurry as many times as they want for the day, until registration closes. Clubs must announce that registrations are closing at least 30 minutes before closing. Registration must remain open throughout the day, only closing when necessary to ensure completion of all runs for the day. 

Retrieving Dummies & Cold Game Birds: 

     Dummies/Bumpers must be made of a fabric material that allows for scent to penetrate the material. We recommend those made out of fire hose material with a cork center. All dummies/bumpers must be scented with liquid game bird scent.

     Fresh or Cold (thawed) Game Birds may be used. All game birds must be unused at the start of the day, and must be swapped out for new (unused) game birds throughout the day to ensure freshness. All game is to be handled with respect and when carried by anyone other than the dog, must be carried with the head up, out of respect for the bird. 

Grounds & Course (Indoor and Outdoor): 

        All ABK Scurry Events are held on what the hosting club considers to be safe ground (no pot holes, no gopher holes, must be on a grassy or dirt surface, and clean water for any water scurries). The ABK Scurry course areas (other than the 'up and over' course) should be roughly 100' Wide by 150' Long, enclosed with a visual barrier such as a temporary fence or permanent fence. (Snow fencing is often used for temporary fencing). The barrier must be at least 4' tall. Scurries may be held outdoor or indoor (such as a horse arena with a dirt floor)

       The 'Partridge Pen' must be 3' high, made of sturdy material, and be 10' x 10' in length and width. The Pen should have a clearing where dogs can jump into the pen and land safely, but then have branches with leaves scattered throughout the pen. 

        'Up and Over' Jumps must be 1 straw bale length high (can be a straw bale or a fence/barrier at similar height) for up and over short, and 2 straw bale length high (can be straw bales or a fence/barrier at similar height) for up and over high. 7 jumps spread roughly evenly, within a 50' enclosed alley. 

Points & Prizes: The dogs with the top 20 quickest run times for each ABK Scurry, out of all the entries for that day (as well as the overall winner of that ABK Scurry) will earn points toward titles. Each ABK Scurry is judged and timed separately and dogs may earn points from any or all qualifying ABK Scurry runs held at an event. The overall fastest time for that ABK Scurry is also deemed the winner of that scurry and receives points along with a prize chosen by the club. (only 1 run per dog may be considered a qualify time and used to earn points) The point schedule is as follows: 

     Top 10 fastest time: 20 points

     Top 5 fastest time: 30 points

     Winner of any ABK Scurry: 40 points + Prize

Additional Prizes: The following are prizes in addition to the regular prizes, points and awards. 

       Breed Prizes: The fastest run times for each breed are also calculated by the club and earn prizes. Prizes vary and are chosen by the hosting club. The club also may choose how far back (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) they would like to offer prizes. Prizes may be monetary or other.

       Junior Prizes: The fastest run with a junior handler (under 18 years old) for each Scurry are also calculated by the club and earn prizes. Prizes vary and are chosen by the hosting club. The club also may choose how far back (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) they would like to offer prizes. Prizes may be monetary or other. 

Titles & Ribbons

Winners Titles: 

ANSW: Any dog that wins an ABK Novice Scurry (has the fastest overall time for that Scurry on that day), earns the title of ABK Novice Scurry Winner (ANSW). 

AOSW: Any dog that wins an ABK Open Scurry (has the fastest overall time for that Scurry on that day), earns the title of ABK Open Scurry Winner (AOSW). 

NASW: Any dog that wins a National ABK Scurry (has the fastest overall time for that Scurry) at a National competition, earns the title of National ABK Scurry Winner (NASW). 

Points Titles: All point titles are calculated by adding up the total number of combined points from the Novice and Open competitions. (In other words, an individual can earn points in both Novice and Open competitions that together total 350 points, to earn the title for that Scurry.) 

LRSCH: Long Retrieve ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Long Retrieve ABK Scurry competitions. 

2DSCH: Two Dummy Pick Up ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Two Dummy Pick Up ABK Scurry Competitions.  

3DSCH: Three Dummy Pick Up ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Three Dummy Pick Up ABK Scurry Competitions.

UOSSCH: Up & Over Short ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Up & Over Short ABK Scurry Competitions.

UOTSCH: Up & Over Tall ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Up & Over Tall ABK Scurry Competitions.

PPSCH: Partridge Pen ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Partridge Pen ABK Scurry Competitions.

DL1SCH: Dummy Launcher Single ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Dummy Launcher Single ABK Scurry Competitions.

DL2SCH: Dummy Launcher Double ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Dummy Launcher Double ABK Scurry Competitions.

1BSCH: One Blind (Unseen) ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) One Blind (Unseen) ABK Scurry Competitions.

2BSCH: Double Blind (Unseen) ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Double Blind (Unseen) ABK Scurry Competitions.

3BSCH: Triple Blind (Unseen) ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Triple Blind (Unseen) ABK Scurry Competitions.

RDSCH: Rabbit Diversion ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Rabbit Diversion ABK Scurry Competitions.

WRSCH: Water Retrieve ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Water Retrieve ABK Scurry Competitions.

DRSCH: Dock Retrieve ABK Scurry Champion. When a dog earns 350 or more points in the Novice or Open (or combined total for both) Dock Retrieve ABK Scurry Competitions.

The following ABK Scurries may be offered at any ABK Scurry Event: 

1.) Long Retrieve: Dummy/Bird thrown in clear view, on a course with tree/brush/straw bale obstacles approximately 50 yards, with gunshot, retrieved against the clock.

2.) Two dummy pick up: two dummies/birds thrown with shot, one to a right angle and one to the left angle, both on land with tree/brush/straw bale obstacles, against the clock.

3.) Three dummy pick up: 3 dummies/birds thrown with shot, one angled right, one thrown straight out, and the other angled left, both on land with tree/brush/straw bale obstacles, against the clock. 

4.) Up & Over Short: two dummies to be retrieved over obstacles (1 straw bale high) in an alley, against the clock on an enclosed 50' course run. 

5.) Up & Over Tall: two dummies to be retrieved over obstacles (2 straw bales high) in an alley, against the clock on an enclosed 50' course run.

6.) Partridge pen: two pens, 3' high x 10'L X 10'w, that the dog needs to jump into to collect one dummy, and bring back to the line and then get sent out again for the second and bring back to the line, against the clock.

7.) Dummy Launcher Single: retrieves dummy fired from launcher, on land with tree/brush/straw bale obstacles, against the clock)

8.) Dummy Launcher Double: Retrieves dummy fired from launcher 2x, on land with tree/brush/straw bale obstacles, against the clock.

 9.) One blind (unseen): Retrieve hidden dummy/bird behind a bit of cover (bush, branch pile or straw bale), against the clock. 

10.) Double blind (unseen): Retrieve hidden dummy/bird behind a bit of cover (bush, branch pile or straw bale), brought back behind the line, and sent out again for 2nd retrieve hidden behind cover, against the clock. 

11.) Triple blind (unseen): Retrieve hidden dummy/bird behind a bit of cover (bush, branch pile or straw bale), brought back behind the line, and sent out again for 2nd retrieve hidden behind cover, brought back again behind line and again send out for 3rd blind, against the clock. 

12.) Rabbit Diversion: A bumper is thrown, and a rabbit fur on a pull line or a rolled rabbit fur ball is bowled across the running path before the dog is sent. The dog is then sent for the thrown bumper and should ignore the rabbit diversion and retrieve the bumper, against the clock. 

13.) Water Retrieve: Dummy/Bird thrown in clear view, on a body of water with a gunshot, retrieved against the clock.

14.) Dock Retrieve: Dummy/Bird thrown with a shot, in clear view, on a body of water with a dock, retrieved against the clock.