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.

Join us on this site and learn more about Schutzhund training, who we are and how you can be involved in this fun and rewarding sport!

2012 Working Dog Championship

This past weekend in Columbus, Ohio, the Mid-Ohio Schutzhund club wrapped up a cool, rainy spring weekend hosting the 2012 Working Dog Championships. With a strong entry fielding over 70 dogs, we saw many of the top teams in the country if not the world. By all accounts, Mid-Ohio did an outstanding job of hosting this event. Thanks to all club members who worked so hard to make this event run well.

Our two youth handlers — Dominic Scarberry and Andrea Hashimoto also scored well with their IPO3 dogs. Dominic with Bo von Diamant Grenze finshed with 272 points. Andrea with Henk Vom Hufeisenberg wound up with 263.

Here are some of the trophy winners from this event. For a complete wrapup of the scores, see the event website at 2012 WDC Championships

High IPO3 Champs

• 2nd place — Frans Slaman with Brongo Fron Fighter — 286
• 1st place — Mike Diehl with Irmus Galan Nalag — 288
• 3rd place — Sean Rivera with Daneskjold Iron — 286 (tie broken on protection score)

HOT Champs

• 2nd place — Sean Rivera with Daneskjold Iron — 286 (tie broken on protection score)
• 1st place — Frans Slaman with Brongo Fron Fighter — 286
• 3rd place — Daniel Cox with Chuck vom Dorneburger Bach — 283

FH Champs

• 2nd Place — Jim Hall with Corso Vom Kaisersland — 96
• 1st Place — Beth Bradley with Nathan Vom Fegelhof — 98
• USCA Judge Randall Hoadley

Photos courtesy of Clifton Strommel, Clifton Strommel Photography

New EU Travel Requirements

There have been a lot of questions in regards to what was originally posted on our website. What we posted refers to "IF" you are checking your dog as "cargo", this does not apply if you are checking your dog as baggage.

Click on the link below. Once it opens, scroll down to "Pets" under that category click on where it lists "dogs, cats, ferrets (movement of no more than 5 non-commercial pets) There are (2) of these options, make sure you choose the one that was posted February 2012.

It's going to open a (6) page EU/Veterinary Certificate, scroll down to page 4 "notes" letter (e), the certificate that has been issued for your dog, again, if checking it in as baggage will be valid for 10 days.

President's Message

Spring is trying to arrive early throughout the USA. As we enter the spring trial season, let us all remember to be mindful of the changes to the IPO Rules that are now in effect but let us also be mindful of good sportsmanship by showing respect to all of those around us. Let’s show the world that those that would belittle or demean others are not the norm in our organization and that we should speak up against those that would stoop to those levels. I wish all of you success with your training in the months ahead and also remember to respect your dogs and be fair with your dogs in all aspects of training.

The countdown to our National events is well under way. The USCA Working Dog Championships will be held in Grove City, OH on April 19-22. Mid Ohio Schutzhund has been working hard to prepare a venue that is pleasing to competitor teams and spectators as well.

The USCA Sieger Show will be held in Indianapolis, IN on May 18-20. OG Indianapolis Polizei and Schutzhund is providing an outstanding venue for our premier show event. The host hotel is filling up very fast so please make your reservations soon. The first deadline for entries is April 3.

The AWDF IPO Championship will also be held in the Indianapolis area on May 9-13. It is being hosted by USCA club OG Landshark.

Links to all of these event websites can be found on the front page of www.GermanShepherdDog.com

The second annual WUSV Team Qualifier will be hosted by the GSDCA this year in Spring Green, WI on June 8-10. June 8th will be the only practice day for the competitors and the draw will also be held that evening. The actual competition days will be June 9th and 10th. USCA will have Johannes Grewe serving as co-trial secretary; USCA/SV Judge Craig Groh will be one of the judges for the event along with SV Judge Dieter Schmale for this trial which uses Olympic style scoring. There will be more information posted on this trial in the near future.

As always, I wish to express my sincere thanks to each and every member for their continued support and their spirit of camaraderie in furthering the goals of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. For more than thirty-six years, the efforts of our membership to protect and preserve the German shepherd dog through the use of our breed evaluations have continued to ensure that our future generations will be able to experience the joy of owning a German shepherd dog with true working temperament.

I wish each of you happiness and success with your dogs in all walks of your life!

2012 NE Region Training Seminar

In spite of the warming effects of La Nina, it would not be a schutzhund day without some adverse weather! Twenty seven people from in and around the northeast region gathered at the Greater Philadelphia club’s field in Spring City, Pennsylvania for a seminar featuring internationally accomplished trainers, John Soares and T. Floyd.

Handlers and trainers endured snow and dropping temperatures to participate in the day’s events. The session was divided with obedience work in the morning, a lunch break, and then the protection phase to complete the day. Common themes throughout the day were to train from the HEART and TEACH your dog what command you expect. We must look at ourselves as handlers and evaluate, are we truly conveying to the dog what learning we want to accomplish?

Brandon Jensen and Olu Floyd rounded out the Helper corps during the protection phase when ever John and T would give them a chance. We were fortunate to see start up dogs up to competition caliber animals withT and John bringing a few of their own dogs out to demonstrate.

The Northeast Region would like to thank John, T, Brandon and Olu for contributing their time and efforts for a productive educational experience as well as the Greater Philadelphia Club and Spring City National Guard Armory for the field. Get involved and evolve!

New SchH3 Club Members and Sports Medals!!

Updated!

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

• Marion Burcham-Swetzer with Danika von Arizona — Southeastern Colorado SchH Club
• Bill Worrell with Varick vom Mittelwest — Capitol Area Schutzhund Club
• Mary Ellen White with Trane vom Hexenwald — Menlo Park Schutzhund Club
• Pamela Lincoln with Garci Aloha vom Napaweinberg — Menlo Park Schutzhund Club
• Wayne Cole with Gator vom Rheinland — Baystate Schutzhund & Police Club

Sports Medals

• Bronze — Dawn Flood
• Gold — Louis Jollyman
• Master Gold — Randall Hoadley