Guidelines

A skit is like a one-act play – an acting division. It is a story routine.

1. Any moves performed during the routine MUST have a clear association towards and/or support the theme or story and should be IN CHARACTER for both dog and handler.

2. Dog moves need to be defined and must be theme related, correlating and communicating the content of the skit.

3. Freestyle moves should only be used if they are to be PART of the STORY, not just to add content.

4. If Freestyle moves are to be used at all, they should have a purpose in the telling of the story and be done IN CHARACTER.

5. Skits can include miming, no music, scenery, props, temporary music, sound effects, talk by the owner and barking by the dog as a form of conversation with the owner.

6. In fact, anything goes as long as it makes the communication clear and the dog is a very active participant.

7. Music can be an important part of a skit routine, depending on the theme as some routines are better with music.

8. A sound system / speaker / microphone may be used in the ring during the routine. However, the handler must bring their own system that they will be using. The show holding club is not responsible to provide the club’s system for the handler’s use, as it might not be appropriate, or even usable.

9. It is preferable that the scenery / props that are brought into the ring be used as part of the routine, however scenery can be used to set the theme of the skit.

10. The handler is responsible for bringing in and taking out of the props. The time allowed for this is 2 minutes.

11. No other people or dogs are allowed to be in the ring at the same time as the handler and dog performing.

12. A dog is not allowed to be painted /dyed or wear a costume. An adorned collar and anklets are acceptable.

JUDGING:

1. There will be two scores in Skits:  Technical Merit and Artistic Interpretation.

2. There will be no list of valid moves, and no demarcation of ring use.

3. Props may be used, but do not have to be part of the routine.

4. Cues will be allowed in the lower levels, eventually leading to no visible cues in the higher classes.

QUALIFYING EXPLANATION – BEGINNERS

TECHNICAL MERIT (TM):

1. There is a basic amount and variety in the routine.  The degree of difficulty is basic – most of the routine is simple, with a small amount of complexity.

2. The routine is executed with fair precision. Some hand cues are noticeable. The dog responds to the first or second cues. The handler and dog are fairly synchronized throughout the routine.

3. The routine flows fairly well.

4. There is a fair degree of dynamism, intensity and tempo in relation to the theme.

5. The handler and dog move with fair accuracy with regard to the skits theme – conveying the story, incident, or event.

SCORE:     10

ARTISTIC IMPRESSION (AI):

1. There is a basic amount of attention, concentration, attitude, and animation from the dog and the handler throughout the routine.

2. The routine is appreciated and enjoyed fairly well.

3. The handler’s costume and the dog’s attire complement the theme fairly well.

4. There is a fair association between the theme and the team’s presentation.

5. The choreography of the routine is laid out and done fairly well.

6. The routine is fairly cohesive as it flows from start to finish.

SCORE: 10

BEGINNERS TITLING INFORMATION:                    

In order to receive a title at this (Beginning) level of competition, handlers and dogs must qualify with the following minimum average scores in both the total Technical Merit (TM) and the total Artistic Impression (A.I.) scores, the following number of times (legs/shows).  The routine length must be within the following times (plus or minus 15 seconds, allowed for recording and playback device speeds).  Title abbreviations are also as follows.

ADULT Singles BEG. A or B HTM, MF or SKITS:  Avg. score 7.3, 2 shows, 1:30-2:15 minutes.  Title – W-FD/HTM or W-FD/MF or W-FD/SK

QUALIFYING EXPLANATION – NOVICE

Technical Merit (TM):

1. There is a moderate amount and variety in the routine.

2. There is a moderate degree of difficulty.

3. The routine has moderate precision. Few hand cues are noticeable.

4. The handler and dog are working nicely within the routine.

5. The routine flows nicely.

6. There is a nice degree of dynamism, intensity and tempo of movement and changes of these in relation to the theme.

SCORE 10

Artistic Impression (AI):

1. There is a moderate amount of attention, concentration, attitude, and animation from the dog throughout the routine.

2. The routine is appreciated and enjoyed very much.

3. There is a good association between the theme and the team’s presentation.

4. The choreography of the routine is laid out and done nicely.

5. The handler remains “in character” throughout, with the dog having a clear role in the theme.

6. The routine is nicely designed and cohesive.

7. There is a moderate quality and creativity throughout the routine.

SCORE 10

NOVICE TITLING INFORMATION:

In order to receive a title at this (Novice) level of competition, handlers and dogs must qualify with the following minimum average scores in both the total Technical Merit (TM) and the total Artistic Impression (A.I.) scores, the following number of times (legs/shows).  The routine length must be within the following times (plus or minus 15 seconds, allowed for recording and playback device speeds).  Title abbreviations are also as follows.

ADULT Singles NOVICE HTM, MF or SK:  Avg. score 8.0, 3 shows, 1:45-2:30 minutes.  Title – W-FDX/HTM or W-FDX/MF  or W-FDX/SK

QUALIFYING EXPLANATION – INTERMEDIATE

Technical Merit (TM):

1. There is a greater amount and variety in the routine.

2. There is a greater degree of difficulty.

3. The routine includes things that are more intricate, fairly complex and original.

4. There should be more precision and very few hand cues. The dog responds well.

5. There is a limited amount of set ups, and the routine works well from start to finish.

6. There is a good degree of dynamism and intensity.

SCORE 10

Artistic Impression (AI):

1. There is a greater amount of attention, concentration, attitude, and animation from the dog.

2. The routine is appreciated and enjoyed very much.

3. There is a very good association of the theme and the team’s presentation.

4. The choreography of the routine is very good.

5. The routine is very well designed and cohesive.

SCORE 10

INTERMEDIATE TITLING INFORMATION:

In order to receive a title at this (Intermediate) level of competition, handlers and dogs must qualify with the following minimum average scores in both the total Technical Merit (TM) and the total Artistic Impression (A.I.) scores, the following number of times (legs/shows).  The routine length must be within the following times (plus or minus 15 seconds, allowed for recording and playback device speeds).  Title abbreviations are also as follows.

ADULT Singles INTERMEDIATE HTM, MF or SKITS:  Avg. score 8.5, 3 shows, 2:00-2:45 minutes.  Title – W-FDM/HTM or W-FDM/MF or W-FDM/SK

QUALIFYING EXPLANATION – ADVANCED

Technical Merit (TM):

1. There is an extensive amount and variety in the routine.

2. Intricate movement and complexity are expected throughout the routine, with original and innovative ideas present.

3. Everything is executed with a high level of precision. No visual cues are noticeable, and the dog responds efficiently.

4. The routine flows almost perfectly with no visual setups. The routine is almost flawless.

5. There is an almost perfect degree of dynamism, intensity in relation to the theme.

6. The routine has an almost perfect accuracy.

SCORE   10

Artistic Impression (AI):

1. There is almost perfect attention, concentration, attitude, and animation from the dog and the handler.

2. The interaction between handler and dog is wonderful, “as one” throughout the routine.

3. There is an almost perfect association between the theme and the team’s presentation.

4. The choreography of the routine is laid out and done with extensive quality showing creativity and balance to convey the theme.

5. The handler remains “in character” throughout the entire skit and the dog having a clear role in the theme (telling of the story).

6. The routine is perfectly designed, it’s perfectly cohesive from start to finish.

SCORE 10 

ADVANCED TITLING INFORMATION:

In order to receive a title at this (Advanced) level of competition, handlers and dogs must qualify with the following minimum average scores in both the total Technical Merit (TM) and the total Artistic Impression (A.I.) scores, the following number of times (legs/shows).  The routine length must be within the following times (plus or minus 15 seconds, allowed for recording and playback device speeds).  Title abbreviations are also as follows.

ADULT Singles ADVANCED HTM, MF or SKIT:  Avg. score 9.2, 3 shows, 2:15-3:15 minutes.  Title – W-CH.FD/HTM or W-CH.FD/MF or W-CH.FD/SK