Back in 2015 I started on a comparison of the S2 regulations for Obedience between 1985 ( when I won my first beginners) and the G Regs from 2015. Sadly I was diagnosed with a desmoplastic melanoma cancer in 2016 and my cancer journey has been a long one.
I have recently rediscovered my notes from this period and have also managed to obtain from the Kennel Club the S2 regulations from 1966. There have been significant changes in the tests during that time. i propose the complete a further comparison between 2015 and 2025 so that we can see how much the sport has changed over the years. I attach a PDF of the comparison between 1985 and 2015 together with a Pdf of the S2 regulations for 1966.
My comparisons are between 1st January 1985 and 1st January 2015
THIRTY YEARS ON IN OBEDIENCE
Shortly after starting this comparison in 2015 I was diagnosed with cancer (desmoplastic melanoma) a cancer which has a tendency to travel around the body in the bloodstream.
After several operations to remove the cancer and 33 doses of radio therapy, the cancer moved to my left lung where it was inoperable and I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer .
Fortunately for me I was given the opportunity to be placed on the trial of a new immunotherapy drug which I was on for 2 years and I have been cancer free for some time now .
I rediscovered these notes recently and have now completed them and intend to do another comparison between 2015 and 2025 to show just how much obedience has changed over the years
THIRTY YEARS ON
Firstly in 1985 the KC Regulations were called “S(2)” rather than “G”, there was no such class as Introductory and the Pre- Beginner class was only permitted in Limit or Sanction shows.
Anyone could organise an exemption show where dogs not registered with the Kennel Club could compete and such shows did not need a licence.
Moving onto the direct comparisons between classes
PRE-BEGINNER
In 1985 the Pre-Beginner class comprised Heel on Lead, Heel Free , Recall off lead with a finish, 2 minute sit in insight and 2 minute down in sight, so not a lot of change there
BEGINNER
The only other change was that back in 1985 winning out of Beginners excluded dog,owner and handler from even competing again in Beginners
NOVICE
In 1985 there were two exercises that are no longer present in the current test. These were:-
A) Temperament Test ( taken from the S(2) Regs)
This test was to take place immediately before heel on lead. Dog to be on lead in the stand position, handler tostand by dog
Judge to approach the dog quietly from the front and run his hand gently down the dog's back. Judge may talk quietly to dog to reassure it.
Any undue resentment, cringing, growling or snapping to be penalised. This is not a stand for examination or a stay test.
B) One Minute Stand Stay off lead handler in sight (S(2) Regs)
Stand/Stay.-This test should be carried out exactly as for the Sit/Stay except that dogs will be left in the Stand position throughout the test. This is a group test and all dogs must compete together, but where this is impracticable at an indoor show, the Class may be equally
divided but the judging for the groups must be consecutive.
Finally the down stay in sight was for 3 minutes whereas the current test is only for 2 minutes
CLASS A
In 1985 the tests included both Heel on Lead and Heel Free but immediately before Heel Free the temperament test was conducted OFF LEAD .
The s(2) Regs read as follows:
Temperament Test. Will take place before Heel free. Dog to be in the stand position and off lead. Handler to stand beside dog. Conditions as for Novice Temperament Test, except that test will commence with order "last command" and end with order "Test finished".
Extra commands will be penalised. This is not a stand for examination or a stay test.
Stay exercises were Stand 2 minutes in sight Sit 2 minutes in sight
Down 5 minutes out of sight
The scent discrimination test was also somewhat different to the present version where the articles were not cloths. Again quoting from the 1985 S(2) Regs
Scent Discrimination, handler's scent on Judge's article. The total number of articles shall not exceed ten, all of which shall be clearly visible to the dog.
Specifically from the guidance notes the regulations read as follows:-
Scent Discrimination.-A Steward will place the scented article amongst up to a maximum of nine other articles.
In a scent test if a dog brings in a wrong article or physically fouls any articles (i.e. mouths it) this article will be replaced.
The dog should at this time be facing away from the articles. On command, the handler should bring the dog to the point indicated, give the dog scent and stand upright before sending the dog to find and retrieve the appropriate article.
The dog should find the article and complete the test as for the Retrieve test.
In all tests, scent articles are to be placed at least two and not more than four feet apart. Limiting the time allowed for this test is at the Judge's discretion.
Class A- Handler's scent on article provided by the Judge. This must not be
given to the dog. In this test. at least one article must be scented by someone other than the handler and must be similar for each dog. The remaining articles must be of a suitable variety in shape, size and substance.
Arcs and circles in heelwork were not mentioned in the 1985 Regulations and I cannot recall such patterns being included in heelwork patterns up to and including Class B.
Simultaneous command and signal with the dog’s name were permitted in Class A.
CLASS B
There was little difference between the 1985 Regs and 2015 Regs for this class except for the 2 minutes stand stay in sight and scent which was handlers scent on judges article in 1985.
CLASS C
Again very little difference in Class except that in 2015 distant control required the handler to be not less than 10 paces from handler and in scent discrimination the rules were changed to be a minimum of 6 and no more than 10 scent cloths
About me
In 2015 I was working Nov /A with a rescue dog from Battersea who had running wild for some time up country and who is carrying a lot of “baggage” from his past.
I really did struggle with him in the ring as he had some major “trust” issues to overcome with strange people being around him.
At club he was very good and very calm but at shows (and we have not done that many this year) he was very insecure.
I always try to ask the judge before I start the round “if I need to turn it into a training
In this way it is my intention to compete in the class and will do the stays and often the scent exercise even if the ring exercises were hopeless.
Every step forward we made even only a small one was a major achievement for us both which made me very pleased and gave my dog a little bit more confidence.
Before his demise he qualified as a cynophobia assistance dog which was a great achievement for us both.