USA Breed Show Regulations

I. INTRODUCTION

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USA) is a German Shepherd Dog breed organization guided by the rules of the founding organization of German Shepherd Dogs, the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) in Germany.

The USA Breed Show Regulations serve to preserve and develop the German Shepherd Dog and promote breed shows indispensable for the maintenance of the breed.

II. DEFINITIONS AND JURISDICTIONS

1. Types of Shows

1.1. Local breed shows.

1.2. Regional breed shows.

1.3. USA Sieger Show.

2. Local Breed Shows

2.1. Local breed shows are held by and are the responsibility of local USA clubs.

2.2. A USA event authorization must be obtained by the local club from the regional director. All requirements for hosting a local USA-sanctioned event apply.

2.3. Selection of the judges and payment of the judges’ expenses are the responsibility of the sponsoring local clubs.

2.4. Proof of insurance coverage for local breed shows must be provided by the sponsoring local clubs.

2.5. Flawless organization and execution of the show and observance of all applicable USA rules is the responsibility of the sponsoring local club(s). This includes availability of a sufficiently large ring.

3. Regional Breed Shows

3.1. Each region is obligated to hold one regional breed show per year. The regional director may delegate the event in its entirety or in part to one of its local clubs.

3.2. The date of the regional breed show is chosen by the region sponsoring the show.

3.3. Selection of the judges for the regional breed show is made by the region sponsoring the show.

3.4. Proof of insurance coverage for the regional breed show must be provided by the sponsoring local clubs.

4. USA Sieger Show

4.1. USA conducts one Sieger Show per year.

4.2. USA is the sponsoring organization. Implementation of the show may in part be delegated to the region; however, the USA President has final authority.

4.3. The show date is determined by USA.

4.4. The slate of judges and respective classes are selected by the Executive Board of Directors.

4.5. In addition, special directives published in information materials (USA magazine, catalogue, etc.) apply.

4.6. All dogs 12 months and older must be registered with USA when exhibiting in the USA Sieger Show, if owned by a resident of the United States. Resident members of other WUSV organizations are exempt from this requirement (proof of membership required).

III. ORGANIZATION OF BREED SHOWS

1. Catalogue

For breed shows described under Section II.1., a printed catalogue must be issued.

1.1. The cover of the catalog must include the date and location of the show, the name of the judge, and the name of the hosting club.

1.2. The following information about each dog entered in the show must be listed in the catalog:

1.2.1. Catalog number.

1.2.2. Full registered name, birth date, registration number, tattoo or microchip number, working title(s). (Note: For breed surveyed dogs use an “*” in front of dog’s name.)

1.2.3. Sire’s registered name, registration number, working title(s), and for breed survey use an "*" in front of dogs name.

1.2.4. Dam’s registered name, registration number, working title(s), and for breed survey use an "*" in front of dogs name.

1.2.5. Breeder’s name and location; owner’s name and location.

1.3. Only dogs fulfilling conditions below may be entered and listed in the catalogue:

1.3.1. Dogs 12 months and older must present proof of FCI or WUSV recognized registration. Dogs born in the United States must present an AKC registration.

1.3.2. Must be free of all signs of illness.

1.3.3. Must not be barred from progeny registration.

1.3.4. May not be owned by persons barred from exhibiting dogs.

1.4. The show secretary is responsible for filling out one catalog for USA records, one catalog for the judge, and one catalog for the records of the hosting club. The awarded rating and placement must be written next to the name of each dog. For dogs entered but not shown, N/S (no show) must be written next to the name of the dog. The show secretary and the judge must sign each page of the catalog. All paperwork must be sent to the USA Office in a timely manner.

2. Show Classes

Dogs exhibited at breed shows are subdivided into classes. The key date for shows of more than one day is the first show day.

2.1. Youth Dog Class – Dogs 12 months and older, but under 18 months.

2.2. Young Dog Class – Dogs 18 months and older, but under 24 months.

2.3. Adult Dog Class – Dogs two years and older that do not have a working title.

2.4. Working Dog Class – Dogs two years and older that have earned at least an HGH title, SchH1, or equivalent titles or degrees from WUSV and/or FCI organizations.

2.5. Herding Dog Classes – Age definitions set forth in Section III.2.1 to III.2.3. The Herding

Dog Classes only include dogs actually serving in a herding capacity. The Adult Herding Dog Class is limited to dogs that have earned an HGH title.

2.6. Kennel Groups – A kennel group consists of at least three, and at most six, dogs per kennel that have been shown on the same day at the same show and have received a minimum rating of “good.” The kennel groups are rated according to guidelines established for this purpose: uniformity (taking into account as many different parent dogs as possible) and the quality of the individual dogs. If several kennel groups are presented, placements are made.

2.7. Puppy Classes – To promote breeding activities, a puppy show, where assessments rather than ratings are awarded, may be held. Puppy classes are only possible in conjunction with a regular breed show. The puppy classes must precede the breed show and take place on the same day. Puppies four months and older but under twelve months old can be entered in this portion of the show.

2.7.1. Baby Puppy Class – Puppies 4 months and older, but under 6 months.

2.7.2. Junior Puppy Class – Puppies 6 months and older, but under 9 months.

2.7.3. Senior Puppy Class – Puppies 9 months and older, but under 12 months.

2.8. Veterans Class – Dogs older than six years may be shown in a separate class, the Veterans Class. No ratings are awarded, but the dogs are ranked and placed according to quality.

2.9. Long Stock Coat Classes – Dogs with a long stock coat with undercoat may be shown in separate classes. The same class and age designations apply to the long stock coat with undercoat classes as the standard classes.

3. Assessments

In puppy classes under Section III.2.7, the following assessments are made:

3.1. Very Promising (VP) –Puppies that fully conform to the breed standard or have minimal anatomical shortcomings.

3.2. Promising (P) –Puppies that conform to the standard, but present clearly recognizable anatomical and developmental shortcomings.

3.3. Less Promising (LP) –Puppies that are not outgoing enough or have faults that make them unfit for breeding. The assessments cannot be interpreted as an evaluation of breeding worth.

4. Ratings

4.1. At breed shows as set forth under Section II.1., the following ratings can be issued:

4.1.1. Excellent (V) – Dogs in the Working Dog Class that, after undergoing a thorough examination, fully conform to the breed standard; that are self-confident, outgoing, and indifferent to gun fire; with a pedigree showing the “a” stamp, or proof of OFA certification, or hip certification by a WUSV/FCI recognized organization; and, when more than 3½ years old, must be breed surveyed. Double premolars #1 are allowed.

4.1.2. Very Good (SG) – The highest rating in the Youth Dog Class and Young Dog Class for dogs that fully conform to the breed standard. In the Adult Dog Class, this rating goes to dogs that meet the requirements for “excellent,” but show minor anatomical shortcomings. It also applies to anatomically faultless dogs that measure up to one centimeter over or under size limits, or have one missing premolar #1 or one incisor.

4.1.3. Good (G) – Dogs that conform to the standard, but show clearly recognizable anatomical shortcomings. Missing teeth as follows: two missing premolars #1; or one missing premolar #1 and one missing incisor; or one missing premolar #2; or one issing premolar #3; or two missing incisors; or one missing premolar #2 and one incisor; or one missing premolar #2 and one missing premolar #1, or 2 missing premolars #2.

4.1.4. Sufficient (A) – Dogs that, on the day of the show, are sensitive to gunfire, do not display the required outgoing behavior, or with overall condition including anatomical factors that does not permit award of a higher rating.

4.1.5. Insufficient (M) – Dogs that are gun shy, show poor character and/or do not display the required degree of outgoing behavior, or have faults that preclude their use for breeding. This ranking applies also to dogs that exceed the upper and/or lower measurement limits by more than one centimeter. The rating “insufficient” mandates issuance of an “Unavailable for Progeny Registration” notation that must be requested by the breed judge.

4.2. At the USA Sieger Show, the rating Excellent-Select (VA) is awarded in addition to the ratings shown under Section III.4.1. To qualify for the Excellent-Select rating dogs must meet and provide proof of the following criteria:

4.2.1. Have a current breed survey ranking of Class 1.

4.2.2. Have complete and faultless dentition, or must have a dental notation as established by the breed book office.

4.2.3. Have at least a SchH2 title or equivalent.

4.2.4. Dogs competing for the Excellent-Select rating a second time must have a SchH3 title or equivalent.

4.3. Extraordinary circumstances resulting in partial tooth damage or tooth loss do not affect breed ratings. The requirement here is that the previous presence of healthy, strong teeth and a faultless scissor bite without faulty incisor tooth line is established without doubt, and this fact must be documented. The original presence of missing teeth can be documented by:

4.3.1. Certification of dental completeness by a USA or SV conformation judge documented

in the scorebook or the appropriate window of the pedigree.

4.3.2. Breed survey documentation in which dental completeness has been noted.

4.3.3. A dental notification entered by the USA Office on the pedigree.

5. Show Cards

The show card is the document that the dog owner receives upon completion of their dog’s class.

5.1. The show card number and the catalog number of the entered dog must be identical.

5.2. Once the final placements have been announced for each class, the show secretary must

document on the cards the ratings and final placement order and the judge must sign the card.

IV. OTHER REGULATIONS

1. Show entry fees must be paid for a dog entered but not shown.

2. Dogs that are present for examination (standing), and are then removed from competition without permission from the officiating judge, must receive an “Insufficient” rating. An “Insufficient” rating mandates that this dog's progeny be barred from registration. This ban takes effect at the same time this rating is issued and is reported to the USA Office by the judge.

3. Ratings awarded by a judge during a breed show are final. Protests are not permitted.

4. The exhibitor must give truthful information about his dog. Attempts to mislead may result in USA BOI proceedings.

5. Exhibitors must display good sportsmanship when showing their dogs. Offenses may entail disqualification of the dog, removal from the show grounds, and/or initiation of BOI proceedings. Anyone who purposely refuses to answer inquiries, makes false statements, or changes the dog's appearance (including surgical interventions), or permits others to do so, in order to mislead the judge, loses any awards already earned at this show and may, depending on the severity of the case, be excluded from further shows or may be fined by USA.

6. The judge officiating the breed show that day is not permitted to judge dogs that he/she owns, owned, is in possession of, or is the caretaker of. Utmost discretion should be practiced with dogs that are owned, are in possession of, or in residence with persons close to the judge. This includes close personal relationships, breeding partnerships, co-ownerships, and persons who share his residence.

7. It is not permitted to use acoustic enhancers (powered by electricity, gas, or compressed air) when calling to the dog. It is also prohibited to use pistols, whips, or protection sleeves for double handling. Transgressions may lead to disqualification of the dog, removal from show grounds of the double handler, and the initiation of BOI proceedings against the dog's owner and double handler.