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By switching a dog when they are nine to Skilled Veteran dog the team has two jump height breaks and two time breaks in jumping classes and one height break and one time break in the non-jumping classes. By allowing the either/or the only increase would be two time breaks with one height break in the non-jumping classes. A team also has the option of moving from Elite to Open or Open to Novice for an even greater break in time and course difficulty. I guess I would be back to wondering if an Elite team needs more time and height breaks than the options already given to them, then one has to wonder how much fun the dog is having while running agility.
We have so many options available to dog/handler teams that there should be a comfortable place for all teams to run and qualify. If the handler's goals are for a NATCH and they cannot succeed with the current options, I am sorry but those are the options available.
Sharon
It has been my understanding that “veteran dog” status was an accommodation for the age of the dog and that the “veteran handler” status was an accommodation for the age of the handler.
Also, I’ve had the impression that, for the well-being of the dog, NADAC has been encouraging handlers to run their dogs at the lowest jump height available to them. Many, if not most, have switched to Skilled from Proficient. There are many veteran handlers who enter their dogs in the Skilled division and receive two time allowances (and two height allowances) in all classes.
Perhaps I’m misunderstanding but you seem to be saying that when the dog reaches 9, the handler loses the veteran handler accommodation in the non-jumping classes, an accommodation they can use until the dog is 9.
“I guess I would be back to wondering if an Elite team needs more time and height breaks than the options already given to them ...”
If I haven’t misunderstood, the veteran handler situation is not a matter of needing “more time and height breaks than the options given...”, it is a matter of losing an option that they currently have.
I guess my question is, "When my dog turns 9 and has to be entered as a Skilled/veteran, do I lose my veteran handler status in the non-jumping class?"
Thanks,
Tom