IronDog Triathlon (ID3)
IronDog Pentathlon (ID5)
The Triathlon and Pentathlon are events designed to test your dogs versatility as well as their endurance. These events run in rapid succession with all competitors competing in 1 event at a time then moving onto the next event.
In the ID3 competitors must compete in all 3 events offered:
50 yard sprint race
Hardest Hitting
Weight Pull
In the ID5 competitors must compete in all 5 of the events offered:
50 yard sprint race
Hardest Hitting
Weight Pull
Tug of War
Hang Time.
Each event is worth 10 points. First place is worth 10 points, second place is worth 9 points and so on. In the case of a tie, the highest Hardest Hitting score will determine a winner.
The order that teams compete will be determined by drawing names at random during the handlers meeting. Dogs must be crated near the field when not competing. If a team is not ready when it's their turn, they will be dismissed from the competition. An assistant judge (steward) will make sure there is a dog on deck at all times to expedite the trial. Contestants must provide their own tug toy with snaps and their own weight pull harness. Each dog must have two (2) handlers. All weight classes will compete at the same time, but scored by their weight categories. The weight categories will be as follows:
up to 30 lbs
31 to 50 lbs
51 to 70 lbs
over 70 lbs
All dogs MUST have a GDT or equivalent (beginning April 2025) to title in ID3 Triathlon or ID5 Pentathlon. When there are 5 dogs or more entered in the competition, the top three (3) dogs will be recorded as “RANKED”.
SPRINT RACE – ID3 and ID5
Dogs will run against a stopwatch, one at a time, on a straight 50 yard course. With one handler holding the dog at the start line and the second handler baiting the dog at the finish line. Both handlers need to have a leash, but the dog will run without a leash for safety purposes.
**APPROVED Bait Items: Ball, tug, bite pillow
**IronDog volunteers will not be allowed to handle, catch or bait competitor's dogs.
**NO DECOYS will be allowed to bait dogs, this includes a competitor's "helper" dressed as a decoy in suit or sleeve.
The competitor and dog will begin at a start line (painted) 6ft from the timing mechanism. The dog will be placed, front paws on the start line. The competitor will be given the signal to begin when ready.
If dog crosses the start line before the ready signal, they will get charged a foul and the time will not count.
The "catcher" must stand at the marked line, 10ft from the finish point. They may bait/call the dog once the "ready signal" has been given.
In the unlikely event of a tie, there will be a "run off" between the teams for a tie breaker.
Handicaps:
The dog's handicap is based on the height at the withers.
If dogs appear to be under 18 inches they will be measured (with a painted sick) at the beginning of the event to determine their handicap, if any.
Dog's Time x 204.54 = MPH (handicap)
Handicap 18" or taller = 1.0
Handicap 12" - 18" = 1.5
Handicap 12" or under = 2.0
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HARDEST HITTING – ID3 and ID5
Dogs can choose to compete with a suit or a sleeve.
The competition bite will be done from a distance of at least 15 yards.
All dogs will start from the same marked line.
On the judges signal the decoy will agitate the dog (all dogs being agitated in the same manner).
The dog will be release on the decoys signal.
The decoy may shout, scream, and/or use a clatter stick or padded stick to apply pressure on the dog.
After impact, the decoy will drive the dog with 1 stick hit then proceed to lock up. The dog must hold his bite through the drive to complete this event.
Dogs will be judged (by the decoy) on impact and how hard they hit the decoy, i.e. how much pain they inflict through the equipment. After each bite, the decoy will give the judge a number from 1-10 (10 being the hardest hit) to rank the dogs.
**One decoy will catch all dogs, unless there are dogs who will compete with different equipment ie suit vs sleeve. Then, one decoy will catch all sleeve dogs and one will catch all suit dogs to keep the event running in a timely manner. If the event does not have enough trial decoys, then all of the suit dogs will run followed by all sleeve dogs.
**Dogs do not need to bite only upper body to compete. Dogs whose primary target is legs may also compete in this event.
Contestants may attempt to out their dog for BONUS POINTS!
Handlers will be instructed to go down field after the bite to pick up the dog's leash and then signaled to attempt to "out" their dog.
Only 1 out command is allowed: it must come from the dog’s handler while holding the leash after the decoy freezes up.
A successful out is defined as the dog not re-engaging but not leaving the decoy before the handler disengages.
A successful out adds 1 point to the Hardest Hitting score.
Dog's may be taken off the bite by their collar or break stick.
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WEIGHT PULL – ID3 and ID5
May be done with a sled, a cart, or a rail system.
Track will be 16 feet in length.
Each dog is given 5 turns in a row.
There is a 60 second time limit for each of the 5 pulls.
Baiting the dog is allowed.
**APPROVED BAIT items: ball, tug, bite pillow
**IronDog volunteers, decoys or staff will not be allowed to bait a competitor's dog.
**Bite equipment such as suits, sleeves or decoys will be allowed as bait items.
Handler may stand anywhere on the track but may NOT touch the dog. Leashes are NOT permitted.
There is a minimum permissible increment of 25 pounds for sled and 250 pounds for a cart.
The judge may increase the minimum increment within reason, but he may not decrease it.
Handler will tell the judge and the assistant how much weight to put on the sled or cart for each pull, but must abide by the minimum increment standard.
The weight added to the sled or cart must increase every pull.
Increases in weight must be at least 25 pound increments or multiples of 25 pounds for a sled. For a cart the increments must be at LEAST 250 pounds.
A team can earn an extra point if NO BAIT is used.
The reason for the extra point is to award those exercising proper form and technique.
f the dog fails to pull any amount of weight for the distance of 16ft or in the designated time allowed, that will complete their weight pull competition.
In the event of a tie, the fastest time will be awarded the higher placement.
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TUG of WAR – ID5 only
Two dogs will tug against each other from behind an upright plywood barrier, with a hole drilled in it for the rope to pass through. Handlers MUST have a leash on the dog at all times but may not issue any corrections. Two assistant judges will be watching either dog at all times during the tug. The assistant judges may disqualify a team if the handler gives any corrections. The rope will be 30 feet long, is marked in the center and 10 feet in each direction. Length of pull is 10 feet for a win. A dog wins when it pulls its opponent past the 10 ft mark through the center hole in the board.
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HANG TIME – ID5 only
This event must run as the last event in the ID5. The dog has a 3 minute time limit on the spring pole to complete this event. The clock will start when all 4 paws are off the ground. If the dog loses his grip the clock will stop, and restart once all 4 paws are off the ground again. Every time the dog loses his grip it will be offered the tug again immediately and hoisted off the ground again.
If the dog gets a single bite upon presentation of the tug toy and hangs, without re-biting for the full 3 minutes, a perfect score (10 points) will be awarded. For every time the dog loses its grip and is forced to re-bite, it will lose 2 points. Each dog will get 3 attempts to hang for the full 3 minutes. The judge may disqualify any dog before it loses its grip 4 times if he believes the grip is not solid (for the safety of the dog).
NOTE:
Throughout the ID3 Triathlon and the ID5 Pentathlon a team is allowed ONLY 1 foul. Fouls consist of False start, leaving leads on dogs during an event that requires the leash be removed, corrections and or pinch collars.
Disqualifications:
Aggressive or uncontrollable dogs (including loose dogs), aggressive gestures by handlers and or unsportsmanlike conduct.