France’s CNEAC publishes press release about the possible size changes for 2023

The Agility Association of France “Commission Nationale Éducation et Activités Cynophiles”, has published a press release about the ongoing discussions on the changes in size categories in France and also at international level. This after a large majority of the association’s members called for the FCI categories to be adopted in the future. The main purpose of the press release is to make the members of the association aware of the possible far-reaching changes, while at the same time presenting the process as transparently as possible.

Last February, the FCI asked the delegates of the member states to consider and submit possible new scenarios. The new FCI rules will enter into force from 1 January 2023. Before that, the proposals and ideas from the different nations, which can be submitted by 1 July 2021, will be discussed in detail by the delegates. This process is scheduled to take place in November 2021. Also the question of how to shape the three major FCI competitions Agility World Championship, the European Open and the Junior Open Agility World Championship with a possible expansion of the size categories. According to the FCI guideline, a decision will be made in February 2022.

France also already has an additional fourth category. The so-called Molosse category for particularly large, heavy dogs. The jump height is 35 to 40 cm. According to the press release, there were only 135 registered dogs in this category in 2019. Compared to 7,900 dogs in the other size categories A, B and C. The French FCI delegate, Maryannic Jourden, has also attached an interesting overview of the dogs by size. From this graph it can be seen that most dogs are between 34 cm and 36 cm, and around 50 cm. However, not all dogs in the graphic have an official measurement, which is why this should be taken with caution. France would therefore like to attach importance to the broadest possible breeds diversity in the upcoming discussions. Since some nations have already introduced five size categories, these are the main focus of the discussions.

France has also taken a closer look at the so-called ‘European solution’. Then special emphasis would be placed on the values of Small (35 cm) and Medium (43 cm) that have been used for years now. Also the inclusion of dogs around 50 cm, as some countries already have. All of these would then, of course, have to correspond with the jumping heights again. These three points, plus the criteria in place in France, will be taken into account by the French. Although this solution has become somewhat apparent in recent months, the final decision, officially confirmed by the FCI, must be awaited in 2022. It is also up to the nations to decide which solution they want to apply at the national level. In the case of France, however, it is very likely that the FCI rules will take over as desired.

Source: http://activites-canines.com/communique-du-gta-nouvelles-categories-2023-agility/