UCS: Kong Competition


What Is It?

The UCS Kong Competition is a fun, inclusive scent detection challenge for dogs and handlers of all levels. Whether you’re new to scent work or already hooked, these competitions are designed to test teamwork, focus, and precision all through your dog’s natural love of searching.

Each event includes three timed searches using Kong odour as the target scent. Every team works against the clock to locate hidden pieces of small Kong while judges score you on categories of - dog, teamwork, and handling skill.

It’s a supportive environment where learning and enjoyment come first. You’ll receive feedback after every run, helping you understand how to strengthen your search strategy and deepen your connection with your dog.


 

Who Can Take Part?

The competition is open to all non-banned breeds aged six months or older. There’s no upper age limit, and dogs with physical challenges (such as amputees, deaf, or blind dogs) are warmly welcomed, as long as they’re comfortable and happy to work.

Bitches in season can’t take part, and all dogs must be fit, healthy, and pain-free on the day.

 

What You’ll Need

You’ll need a UCS registration number before entering (just £12 per dog per year). Once registered, your dog can take part in any UCS event across the country.

Approved equipment includes:
✅ A well-fitted harness, flat collar, or soft martingale
✅ A lead up to 3 metres long

(We don’t allow slip leads, choke chains, prong collars, or flexi leads.)


How It Works
Each trial in Division One (level 1-3) includes:
3 searches each lasting 2 minutes in Level 1 and 3 mins in level 2 &3.

2 Hides per search

Judge Feedback after each run

Rosettes, Certificates, and Trophies for the top 3 scorers

 Points deducted in small increments for faults.
You’ll be assessed on 
Dog Performance, Handler Skill, and Teamwork

Handling, 3 Bonus points can be gained for not receiving any handler errors across the trial (all 3 searches).

Dog, 3 points can be gained by finding all 6 hides in the trial.

ACE POINTS: An extra 4 points can be gained for achieving both All finds and Handler bonus points 

To move up a level, teams must achieve 90% or higher in two separate trials showing not just one good day, but consistent skill and understanding.

 

What Makes UK Scent Sport Different

At United Canine Scent Sport, we do things a little differently. Our aim is to coach and support your journey, not just judge your performance. Every event is designed to help you and your dog grow in confidence, skill, and teamwork.

Every team gets their full search time, even if all hides are found early, so every run becomes a valuable learning opportunity.

You’re always in control handlers can switch to training mode at any time if they’d prefer to focus on confidence-building or problem-solving instead of competition points.

Judges are there to guide as well as score, providing detailed feedback and full score sheets after the event so you know exactly what to work on next.

Welfare and teamwork come first  our events are calm, fair, and supportive, ensuring a positive experience for every dog and handler.

UK Scent Sport isn’t just about results, it’s about building better teams and making scent detection rewarding for both ends of the lead.
are you ready to enter your first Kong Competition!

Scoring Highlights

💠 Teamwork Points (max 6) – for how well you and your dog work together.
💠 Dog Points (max 6) – for searching, indication, commitment to odour and area coverage.
💠 Handler Points (max 6) – for timing, reading, and working the area,
⭐ Perfect Handler Points – 3 extra for no deductions across the trial.
⭐ Bonus Points – 3 extra for finding all hides.
⭐ ACE Points – 4 extra for achieving both of the above!

Winners are decided by the highest overall percentage and fastest time, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place rosettes and a trophy for the winner.

 

 

Ready to Join In?

Whether you’re training for fun, looking to build confidence, or chasing that ACE score, UCS competitions are designed to celebrate progress, teamwork, and the sheer joy of scent detection.

👉 Register your dog today for just £12 and get ready to enter your first Kong Competition!


 Kong Competition D1 Rules


 POINTS

POINTS 

 

Points will be deducted in 0.5 increments for errors across the three categories:
Teamwork – Maximum 6 points.
Dog – Maximum 6 points.
Handler – Maximum 6 points.

3 points are gained as a bonus for the dog finding all hides in the trial.
3 points are gained as a bonus for the handler not receiving any deductions across the trial.
And 4 ACE points are gained for achieving both of the above.

Exceptions with bigger penalties:

Teamwork Category:
Dropping food in the search area = minus 6 points.

Dog returning to a found hide, or to a place that has been called clear. Once is ok. second deducts 0.5, Third deduct 2 points, Fourth deduct all 6 Team points.

Handler Category:
False call: Handler calling a find when the dog was not at source = minus 6 points.

Dog Category:
False indication = minus 6 points.
Trashing equipment Once deducts 0.5, Second deduct 1 points, Third deduct all 6 Dog points
Peeing or pooping in the search area = minus all 6 Dog points this will also end the search. (time must be allocated to the full search limit on the score sheet.) Any points earned up to this moment will still count, but the run will stop, and the team will be moved to the end of the running order for any further runs.

TEAMWORK

Ineffective Area Coverage: Points deducted if the team fails to search the entire area thoroughly or keeps repeating the same ground unnecessarily. 

Failure to Reward or Motivate Appropriately: Points deducted if rewards are delayed, missing, or unsuitable, or if motivation is not maintained throughout the search.
Wellbeing and Engagement: Points may be deducted if the Handler’s Lead handling, methods, or rewards negatively affect the Dog’s wellbeing or engagement, such as causing stress, frustration, or overstimulation. Including Handlers who use the Lead to steer the Dog or use de-motiving language.

Prep-Check Not Carried Out: Points deducted if the Dog is not physically or mentally prepared to start the search, or the Handler fails to pause and reset the Dog if needed mid-search.Returning: Dog continues to return to a previous identified hide. Or an area they shouldn’t be.

 


HANDLER

Harsh Handling: Automatic deductions for shouting, jerking the Lead, or any action causing stress, loss of focus, or disengagement from the Dog. Including directing the Dog by using the Lead.

Not Assisting the Dog: Deductions if the Handler fails to help or motivate the Dog when it becomes disengaged or unsure - unmotivated.

Blocking the Dog or Being in the wrong place : Points deducted if the Handler physically prevents the Dog from accessing areas of the search. Or if the handler enters an area they should not be in.

Standing still in one place too long to over influence the Dog.

Over Influencing the Dog: Deductions for excessive cues or repeatedly directing the Dog instead of allowing independent searching. Including tasking back to source once a hide is called.

No Clear Search Plan: Points deducted if the Handler enters the area without a systematic plan, Leading to missed areas or confusion.

Failing to Recognise the Dog in Odour: Points deducted if the Handlers misses clear body language signals indicating the Dog has found odour but the handler fails to assists appropriately.

False Call,: Handler calls a hide when the dog is not indicating’ Loss of all Handler points.

Dropping Food in the Search Area: Automatic loss of all Handler points for contaminating the search area.


DOG

Drive/Engagement: Deductions if the Dog shows little focus, becomes disengaged, or stops searching without cause.Trashing: Deductions if the Dog damages, excessively interacts with, or scatters search items.

Escalating penalties apply across the trial:

  • first = -0.5,
  • second = -1,
  • third = loss of all Dog points.

 

False Indication: The dog indicates on a blank item (if the hander calls it) Loss of all 6 dog points.

No Odour Recognition: Points deducted if the Dog fails to show any recognition of the target odour.

Peeing or Pooping: Immediate loss of all Dog points for that run, run ends immediately, team moves to the bottom of the running order for any remaining searches.


GENERAL

  • Ace Points: 4 points are automatically awarded for the team finding all hides and not loosing any handler points in the trial.
  • Alert: Handler must inform the Judge how they will call a hide before the start of each run.
  • Bonus: 3 points are added if the team finds all the hides in the trial and a further 3 added if the handler receives no detections in the trial.
  • Calls: Only 2 allowed, Correct or false. Trial ended on the second call.
  • Clock: Is to be stopped once the first hide is found, then it resumes when the Handler continues the search by tasking the Dog. (not for false calls)
  • Decoys: At least 5 red crayons must be used as decoys in searches where the Kong may be visible.
  • Eliminations: Urination or defecation in the search area = the loss of all points for that run only, however time is allocated as the full search time. Team will then be moved to the last place in the running order for subsequent runs.
  • False Calls: Deduct all points either for Handler or Dog (2 calls only false or correct) Time does not stop.
  • Feedback: Feedback is to be given by the Judge after each run. Score sheets to be given to the competitors at the end of the trial.
  • Find: Declaring the find, this must be clear and as discussed with the Judge before each run.
  • Hide Placement: Both hides must remain in place throughout the search, even after one is found, apart from in Level 2, Search 2 Case Chaos.
  • Hides must be at least 2 metres apart from each other.
  • Height within the Dog’s natural nose range (no paws off the floor, minimum 20 cm above the kit).
  • Indication: Must be within 20 cm of the Kong (allowing for air movement and Judge’s interpretation).
  • Lead: Lead length max 3 metres.
  • Moving Up: Teams can only progress to the next level when they achieve a score of 90% or higher at 2 trials of that level.
  • NFC: Not For Competition can take part but should be the last in the running order.
  • Number of Hides: 2 hides per search.
  • Number of Searches: 3 searches in each trial.
  • Perfect Handler Points: 3 points are automatically added if the handler does not have any deductions under the handler category in the trial.
  • Time: timing starts when the Dog is tasked to search, and stops when the Handler calls a correct hide but not a false call.
  • Registering dogs must be registered with UKSS
  • Rewards: To be given out of the search area, in a designated place chosen by the Judge, this must be pointed out before the run.
  • Running Order: A randomiser app should be used to sort the running orders for each search and sent out to the team before the competitions. With a regenerated order for each of the 3 runs.
  • Scoring: Is by a deduction system using 0.5 increments for each fault.
  • Scoring Categories: There are 3 sections – Dog, Handler, and Teamwork.
  • Scoring percentage: This is achieved as a sum of the 3 runs.
  • Search Duration: Each search is 2 minutes in L1. and 3mins in L2 & L3.
  • Target Odour: Kong, approx. 0.25 x 0.25 in size, 2 – 3 grammes in weight.
  • Time: Every team will be given the opportunity to use the full search time for coaching, turning each run into a valuable learning experience.
  • Training Mode: Handlers may switch to training mode at any time, but this forfeits the run and points.
  • White Dog: A white Dog, (a Dog at a higher level or experience) Must be ran over each search prior to start, and Kong must be in place for a minimum of 2 minutes before the first Dog runs.
  • Winner: Highest percentage plus quickest time, first place rosette, certificate and trophy. Second and third place, rosette and certificate.