Dog Rating System

With our Apologies to the International Olympic Committee

Dogs are a very unappreciated aspect of cycling. All these poor creatures are trying to do is make our bike rides more interesting. Some are trying to defend their territories, others are probably just bored.

Some of these dogs are better at this than others. They give more ability, resolve, energy, or devotion to this task. I feel that all dogs will be better off if they can receive some feedback for their efforts. In an effort to increase their contribution to the cycling experience, I created this dog rating system.

Rating Description
0 Dog is asleep, in plain sight and does not awaken or move.
1 Dog wakes up when cyclist passes. + .5 if ears perk up.
2 In addition to all above, dog give a good, throaty, healthy bark. - .5 If only a Yip, Yip.
3 In addition to all above, dog starts running after cyclist. .5 if the dog surprises the cyclist. Dog does not leave yard.
4 In addition to all above, dog leaves yard and gives chase. -.5 if dog is stopped by a "NO!" from the cyclist. +.5 If dog continues even after owner shouts at dog to stop
5 In addition to all above, dog causes cyclist to pick up speed or alter course -.5 if dog is too fat to chase more than 50 feet or so. +5 if dog continues to chase after being squirted with a water bottle
6 In addition to all above, dog makes physical contact with cyclist. + .5 dog continues contact with cyclist even after being pepper sprayed, - .5 dog fails to follow through after making contact with the cyclist
7 In addition to all above, dog causes cyclist to crash. + .5 if dog grabs cyclist, - .5 if dog gets tangled up in the bicycle and injures him/her self as well as the cyclist.
8 Ultimate sacrifice. Dog is killed by oncoming car while chasing cyclist