We are pleased to announce the Elbe Photography "Real Dog" award!

The "Real Dog" award was created to encourage participation and more enjoyment for handlers with larger breed K-9 athletes.

Rules:

• Your dog must weight 60 lbs or more to be eligible.
• You compete in the same divisions offered at the SOFK9s competition.
• You are scored by your entry, finish in that division, and by the division difficulty (Pro or Novice).
• A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophy will be awarded to the top "Real Dogs" at the end of the competition.

Scoring break down:

• Every entry scores:
  • 1pt for entry in Novice Division
  • 2pts for entry in Pro Division
     
• Finishes in the top 10 in any division:
  • 1st place = 10pts
  • 2nd place = 9pts
  • 3rd place = 8pts
  • 4th place = 9pts
  • 5th place = 6pts
  • 6th place = 5pts
  • 7th place = 4pts
  • 8th place = 3pts
  • 9th place = 2pts
  • 10th place = 1pt
     
• Competitors who place in the top ten in the Pro Divisions will have their Top Ten Finishing score multiplied by 1.5
• If no "Real Dogs" finish in the top ten in a division, the highest placed Real Dog will earn 3pts, the next 2pts, and the third highest finisher gets 1pt.
• Real Dog Points can be scored in all the events at the competition that a team is allowed to compete in.  (Following the SOFK9 rules for entering Novice and Pro divisions).
• At the end of the competition, all of each team's Real Dog points will be added together.  The highest three team totals will receive Elbe Photography Real Dog Trophies/Medals in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Thanks to Elbe Photography and Tim Zimmer for inspiring and sponsoring this new award.  It will bring new fun and success to all the large breed K9 athletes and their handlers.

Big Dogs have to work harder, they deserve their props!  Let the "Real Dogs" out!