FCI Judge's Meeting

The following is a brief report from the 2011 FCI Judges Meeting regarding the new IPO Rules.

As expected, there are some slight changes in the interpretation of these new rules and they are being addressed. I would caution all members to be flexible in their interpretation of the current posted FCI Rules as this first year may have more changes.

The most specific things that are now defined for differently are ...

1. There is no additional left turn in the heeling pattern. The pattern remains the same as previously.
2. In the BH, there is a pause in both the sit and the down exercise. It is my understanding that it is a slight pause or hesitation that is allowed but some other organizations are considering it to be a 3 second pause.
3. Per this meeting there will still be only one scorebook accepted.
4. The FCI Meeting defined the proper "picture" that a dog should present in its heeling as well as happy, powerful and attentive to the handler.
5. Clarification of the evaluation for the grip on the escape

As always I will continue to try to share all information as it is available.

My thanks to USCA Judge Frank Phillips for submitting this report.

With a great deal of help from Ivana and Craig, I have been able to post the new trial and judge's sheets as well as a new BH test.

The new rule book is underway and I hope to have it completed by February. Until then, the English version of the FCI rules are what we will be following.

Nathaniel Roque - USCA Director of Judges

New SchH3 Club Members and Sports Medals!!

Updated!

Photo by Charlie Snyder

Bridgett Robinson and Jack get a 96 point SchH2 tracking critique from SV Judge Helmut Rueppell

The USA office would like to announce new awards for the SchH3 Club and the newest round of Sports Medal winners. Remember to get your paperwork in for your award!

SchH3 Club

• John Holiday with Loup Noir Jurri — O.G. Michigan Schutzhund Club
• Bruce Harrell with Kery Naspo — Metrolina Hundesport
• Danielle Bucci with Vixen von Wyndmoor — Free Dog !! Hundesport
• Bruce Chapman with Endo vom Banach — Hudson Valley Police & Schutzhund Klub
• Mandy Connor with Immo vom Rheinland — Southern New Hampshire Working Dog Club
• Tony Zintsmaster with Jago z Diehlomov — O.G. Indianapolis Schutzhund und Polizei
• Steve Billimack with Kimbo vom Geistwasser — Indian Creek Schutzhund Club
• Bogden Kawa with Athos Witaro — Northeast Ohio Working Dog Association
• David Port with Akudlz Haus Leisa — Menlo Park Schutzhund Club
• Jeff Lawless with Fella vom Pappelhaus — O.G. Indianapolis SchH & Polizei
• Jeff Lawless with Angus von Dielhausen — O.G. Indianapolis SchH & Polizei
• Brigitte Robinson with Leonhaus Stonewall Jackson — OG Buckeye SchH Club
• Pat Kennedy with Rainy von Schneiden Fels — Kentucky Shepherd Dog Club
• Linda Smith with Hannah vom Haus Ulko — Cascade SchH Club
• Ron Mattana with Quai vom Osterfeld — Inner City SchH Club
• Barbara Eichman with Strut vom Eichenluft — O.G. Landseite SchH Club
• Charles Wagner with Pachaus K-9 Arna — O.G. West Penn SchH Club
• Kevin Giles with Kash Price vom Alk — Austin Lone Star SchH Club
• Craig Paulus with Sorry vom Struwwelpeter — Alaska G.D.I.
• Brenda Arao with Lock-It vom Patiala — North County SchH Club
• Jan Harkner-Abbs with Bodo vom Drachen Haus — Michiana Working Dog Assoc.

Sports Medals

• Silver — Brenda Farmer
• Silver & Gold — Peter Spanos
• Master Gold — Tom Huelsman

USCA National Champions!!

The 2011 USCA National Championships wrapped up Sunday afternoon. The top few places were separated by only a few points. Sean O'Kane and Max won the Championship with a 289. Kristen Oberholtzer and Banga von Floyd Haus and T. Floyd and Ulrich vom Hammerbachthal tied in total points with 288 -- the tie-breaker was Banga's 95 point protection performance that narrowly edged out Ulrich's 94. They tied in obedience and were again only separated by a point on tracking. Krista's 98 point track was only bested by Kandice Jacopino and H'Doc vom Rex Lupus with a high in trial 99 point track.

Mike Diehl followed in fourth place with 287 point total featuring a high in trial 99 point protection routine. Bob Cook and Akki vom Haus Enhrenreich rounded out the top 5 places with a 285.

Kevin Nance and Vandal vom Mittelwest won Universal Seiger honors.

Click here to view compete results

Thanks to the folks at Tornado Alley for putting on a great championship!

RH Rules Posted

USCA is underway with developing its RH program as the only United States member of the IRO. President Roetmeyer has appointed an RH Committee chaired by EB Member Jim Alloway and they will be working to further develop this new and exciting test for our working dogs.

USCA Member Stef Dunion is and has been a direct liaison to the IRO and USCA Judge Karen Macintyre have both attended IRO meetings and represented USCA as well as both of these members have successfully earned RH titles here in the United States.

The attached link is to the current IRO RH Rules and these rules will be included in the 2012 USCA Revision of the Working Trials Rule Book that will also include the 2012 IPO Rules.

Currently there are only a few USCA Judges that may award the RH 1 tilte so if you are considering offering the RH1 please be sure that your club has selected a Judge with those credentials.

Best of Luck With Your Training and Trialing !

We are dedicated to protecting and preserving the German Shepherd Dog's working heritage through Schutzhund training. Schutzhund is a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners.

The purpose of Schutzhund is to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility. It also measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability.

This working dog sport offers an opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete with each other for recognition of both the handler's ability to train and the dog's ability to perform as required. It is a sport enjoyed by persons of varied professions, who join together in a camaraderie born of their common interest in working with their dogs. Persons of all ages and conditions of life including those with significant disabilities enjoy Schutzhund as a sport. Often, it is a family sport.