Site created by: Lee Gray

April 2008 ©

The Fashqua Draught Assessments

An Introduction

By James Elligott

Another set of Draught tests. WHY? The Fashqua Draught Assessments have been designed predominantly to suit the physical and psychological attributes of Leonbergers.

It is now over 5 years since I first hitched my Leonberger (Ella) to a draught apparatus and along with my wife Lhi, I have enjoyed this working discipline immensely. At first we attended Newfoundland events or events organised by Leonberger clubs, (but still 'coached' by Newfoundland owners). A big thank you to all the Newfoundlands and their owners for all of the help in getting Leo owners interested in Draught work.

Unfortunately there appeared to be very little interest in draught work in the Leo world, so apart from the occasional meeting we had with Newfie people we seemed to be almost alone when it came to draught work for fun. We would hitch up, and go for walks in country parks or on forestry commission land and sometimes cover 2 to 3 miles. At this stage there was little opportunity to take any Leonberger Draught Tests, as so few people were interested, and those that could be taken were the exact same tests as set for Newfoundlands.

It may come as a surprise to some but Leos and Newfs are 2 different breeds. Leos are generally taller (longer in the leg) and leaner than their Newfie cousins, so lack the Newfies lower centre of gravity and superior bulk that suit hauling weight over distance. Also Newfies in general seem 'un-phased' by new challenges, seeming to recover quicker when spooked.

So apart from locally arranged introductions there was little opportunity for anybody to take part in draught work. Then we noticed that The Midland Bernese carters were to hold a Carting weekend at Kinghern courtesy of Fred and Jenny and the Leonberger Club of Great Britain.

What a revelation, not only did Ella pass the 'Junior' assessment, we thoroughly enjoyed the new challenges, all of the naturally occurring obstacles you may find on a 2 or

3 mile haul set in the middle of a field, even bridges over water were simulated.

So this is where the first seeds were sown for separate Leonberger draught tests/assessments. Then 3 years ago I joined the working sub-committee for the LCGB. I already had the framework of new Draught tests in place, which I offered to the LCGB working sub-committee. The tests were an amalgamation of the Newfoundland club and Bernese mountain dog club Draught/ Carting Tests.

The Newfoundland’s had 4 levels with increasing distances and extra weight on the cart carried over a longer distance on each progressive level

The Bernese had Junior and Senior levels each of which required a specific score to be achieved on 2 separate occasions to obtain passes. The carting assessment consisted of a course comprising a set number of obstacles, which had to be manoeuvred through while demonstrating control and teamwork so I combined the 2 tests/assessments and came up with 5 levels so that they were more progressive than the Newf tests, decreased the distances, and the distance that any additional weight needed to be carried, with more emphasis on teamwork and control. The LCGB working subcommittee accepted the new tests but pointed out a few grammatical errors and advised that some extra regulations were required to appease the main committee.

2 years later and the Test Regulations and requirements were up for review, after having judged at all of the LCGB tests to date I felt that there were several areas that needed improvement, so over a period of time I had been developing the requirements to enable younger dogs to take part and make the individual levels more progressive still, and with even more emphasis on teamwork and control.

At about the same time I spoke to Lee and Lesley Gray concerning the UKLA and whether or not they intended to develop their own Draught Tests/Assessments or use any that already existed. They expressed an interest in the Tests that the LCGB were using and felt that it would be good to have all Leonbergers working to the same requirements.

 I went on to make more changes and modify the assessments even further , incorporating early levels that could be carried out with ease at small venues, fun days etc. and without the need of masses of equipment in tow. This has worked extremely well bringing introduction draught work to many in situations that before would not have been possible. I find this has given many people a taste of what draught work is about, they got their early pass certificates and were interested in taking things further. It is this in this new and improved Leo friendly format that the UKLA accepted the assessments to be known as “The Fashqua Assessments.”

These Assessments  comprise of 8 levels and a special puppy level (of course this level incorporates no pulling or strenuous tasks) bringing the minimum age down to 4 months. The assessments were now even more progressive and still more emphasis was put on teamwork. The UKLA seemed to like the new assessments but asked if I could include a level suitable for puppies of at least 4 months, and also include several changes to the control section so that it covered the same training principle as their other working disciplines.

After several discussions we came to a point at which I and the UKLA Steering Committee and Working Section Advisors were happy.

To date the assessments have worked well in practice, although it is still impossible to cover every requirement or intention in writing. Bear with me, these assessments are open to constructive criticism and review, and any improvements that can be made will be done so ASAP. So if you take part or just read through the Rules & Regulations, and have any suggestions for improvements then please give me some feedback.

I have been both delighted and surprised at the number of Leos and their owners who have taken part in these assessments to date, and those who attended any of the training days that were organised.

Please note the above Draught Assessments have now been adopted by S.E.A.L.S.

More on FDA Draught (levels)

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