FAQs about FAST (Fifteen and Send Time)
This class has 15 obstacles with points assigned to each. 6 of the 15 must be single bar jumps. The remaining obstacles will be assigned a value from 2-10 points each by the judge. This class requires a handler and dog to have some distance work. There are always 15 obstacles but the skill required for the Send Bonus increases with each level.
Not exactly. There is no pre-defined course path. The idea of FAST is for each individual to design their own flow with the obstacles that are available. The obstacles are set up specific to what the judge has outlined. Each obstacle has a point value. You may take whatever obstacles in whatever order you want to gather points though there are rules about which obstacles can be taken back to back etc. You must take the Send Bonus in order to qualify. You can take the Send Bonus any time during the course.
It is a sequence of 2 or more designated obstacles that the handler must handle from a pre-determined distance. For Novice, you must stay 5-10 feet from the obstacle, running parallel to the obstacles. Open is 10-15 feet and Excellent is 15-20 feet away from the Send Bonus.
You get 20 points for achieving the Send Bonus PLUS you get the point value of the obstacles in the Send Bonus.
Because there is no pre-set course, the course times are always the same:
8” – 38 Seconds 12/16”- 35 Seconds 20/24/26- 32 Seconds
4P”- 41 Seconds 8/12P”- 38 Seconds 16/20”- 35 Seconds
You will lose 1 point for each second you are over time. This is true for all levels.
Yes, FAST is a titling class. NF, OF, XF, MXF and for preferred, NFP, OFP, XFP, MFP. The FAST class is not required to get a MACH. It does count towards the Triple Q title.
Yes, everyone starts in the novice class, no matter what other level you are in for Standard or Jumpers.
Maximum number of points is 80. Minimum is 50 for Novice, 55 for Open, 60 for Excellent. You must take the Send Bonus in order to qualify.
- Novice -2 obstacles in the Send Bonus, 5-10 feet away from the Send Bonus, minimum 50 points to Qualify.
- Open -2-3 obstacles in the Send Bonus, 10-15 feet away from the Send Bonus, minimum 55 points.
- Excellent -3 obstacles in the Send Bonus, 15-20 feet away from the Send Bonus, minimum 60 points.
In Excellent, the Send Bonus may not be in a straight line. The skill set required for completing the Send Bonus, increases in difficulty for Open and Excellent. Therefore angles most likely will be incorporated in the Send Bonus. The Send distance is adjusted to accommodate the stride difference from 4/8/12/16 compared to 20/24/26 dogs
No, the obstacles are labeled either uni-directional or bi-directional. You can only get the points for that obstacle by taking it in the correct direction. If you take it in the wrong direction, you won’t get the points, though you won’t NQ either.
If you take an obstacle in the wrong direction, you cannot immediately turn around and take it in the correct direction. You cannot take the same obstacle back to back. For example, if you take a double jump in the wrong direction, you must take another obstacle before taking the double in the correct direction to get the points. But remember, all of that takes time and it may be smarter to just move on to another obstacle for points. Pay attention to the intended direction of the obstacle.
No, but you won’t get the points for the obstacle.
No, but you won’t get the points for that obstacle. You may retake it if you take another obstacle in between.
No because you take whatever obstacles you want until the Send Bonus. If your dog refuses the first obstacle in the Send, you can start the Send Bonus again. If your dog refuses the 2nd obstacle in the Send, then you have not successfully completed the Send Bonus and will not qualify. You may re-send your dog over the 2nd obstacle in the Send Bonus, and gather points for that specific obstacle but you won’t get the Bonus points for the Send and therefore will not Q.
Remember –the object of this class is to accumulate points and complete the Send Bonus in a limited amount of time.
For more information, review the AKC rules Chapter 9