BACKGROUND: Under the existing rules on measuring dogs for agility, dogs can sometimes measure into a different height category on the second measurement. New measuring proposals are now being considered, under which these dogs would be measured a third time. The third compulsory measurement would have to be within two months of the second, and carried out by two measurers neither of whom had carried out the second measurement. The dog’s height category will be that confirmed by two out of the three measurements.  The proposal would only apply to dogs measured for the second time after 1 January 2008 - dogs measured at two different sizes before that date would be exempt, although owners would be able to choose to have a third measurement before 1 May 2008.

Full details of the proposals are in the agenda for the 11 July 2007 meeting of the Kennel Club Agility Liaison Committee - view them by clicking <here>

THE SURVEY: We asked you to give your views on these proposals, and below is an analysis of how you voted. (We had to adjust the figures slightly to exclude a few respondents who sent in multiple votes - mostly apparently based at one or two overseas university computer departments!)

Agilitynet - Reader Survey June 2007
Third measurement for dogs - proposals

Question 1: It is proposed that from 1 Jan 2008 a third measurement will be compulsory for agility dogs that have measured differently on their first and second measurements. Do you think this is a good idea?
Yes	326	69%
No	119	25%
Don't Know/ Don't Mind	28	6%
Totals	473	100%

Question 2: It is proposed that any dogs which had two different measures before 1 January 2008 will be exempt from the third measure proposal. Do you think they should  also have a compulsory third measure?
Yes	273	59%
No	172	37%
Don't Know/ Don't Mind	18	4%
Totals	463	100%

Question 3: Should the two measurers for the third measurement be different from those who measured the dog previously?
Yes, both different	168	37%
Yes, at least one different	163	36%
Don't know/ Don't mind	22	5%
No, don't need to be different	99	22%
Totals	452	100%

Question 4: Do you think the measurers should be different for the normal first  and the second measurements?
Yes, both different	138	31%
Yes, at least one different	130	29%
Don't know/ Don't mind	17	4%
No, don't need to be different	165	37%
Totals	450	100%

Question 5: What size(s) of dog(s) do you compete with in agility? (Tick all that apply) (NB: Percentages show percent of respondents who have at least one dog of this size)
Small	156	35%
Medium	156	35%
Large	303	67%
None/ Don't compete	8	2%
Total	623	-

Question 6: Have any of your dogs been measured at two different heights?
Yes	48	11%
No	341	78%
Don't know/ Doesn't apply	47	11%
	436	100%

	Valid results	Valid as %
NOTE: The results above have been adjusted from the original recorded voting to exclude duplicate and mulitple votes from identical IP addresses where the addresses are located outside the UK

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