Recognition for versatility - Page 1

http://www.awca.net/Current%20Versatility%20Program.pdf

Do gsd's in the US have the equivalent of this?  If so, where can I find details.  If not, how does one go about promoting this sort of thing?  GSDs should be as good as any breed at demonstrating a wide range of talents.

Yes It's called Schutzhund (Obedience-Tracking-Protection):-)

The GSDCA ( German Shepherd Dog Club Of  America - now do NOT spit people) has several programs that might interest you. One is the PAM award. PAM = Performance Award of Merit. A dog must have achieved the highest level possible in one venue ( ex. SCh3, or highest title in Herding , tracking , obedience etc) AND the must also be titled in at least two other areas to show versatility.  Here is the listing from last year. This year's list ( not yet published) will be including a number of other dogs with SchH titles . They recognize all USA and WDA titles . I'm not sure about DVG ones tho  suspect they are also recognized.

They also have a program called the Annual training achievement award that recognizes the sire and dam based on the accomplishments of the progeny.  This uses a point system similar to the collie one.  This again recognizes titles from ALL venues so the more versatile the progeny the higher the sire and dam will rate. http://gsdca.org/GSDReviewed/AnnualTrainingAcheive.htm

Many members of this board will probably dis this message because these are GSDCA programs and GSDCA is known primarily for American show dogs. But these programs came about by people who value the working ability of our breed and wanted to work within the AKC system to preserve it. It has taken a lot of hard work over the years but it is working > You can see the change in the Review ( their breed magazine) on the titles achieved page. thee will be  mayb e 10 champions  listed and then literally dozens of various performance titles. These dogs are also honored at their national with a special presentation and once a year the magazine devotes an issue to the dogs who are part of these programs.

You may hate their show dogs ( but there are a few good ones) , you may hate their poltiics but you can still participate in what interests you and who knows down the road you might just change someone's mind.

With the addition of the AKC Working Dog Sport, the handwriting is on the wall in terms of FCI and WUSV membership. Unless USA finds a way to dramatically reinvent itself in the next 5 years or so it will be history so maybe you will want a say in shaping what will then be your only legitimate way to international venues and titles.

Here is a better link that not only explains the PAM program much better than I did but also lists all the recipients so far.

http://gsdca.org/GSDReviewed/PAM.htm

SchH isn't nearly "versatility".  All it does is test tracking and attack, just 2 things; obedience is a GIVEN for any dog - that is not "work" in itself, just the potential to do work better.

I've said earlier this month the GS was and should still be about versatility - shepherds (geesh, that's still in the name, you know), guiding blind, other handicap service, searching/rescuing, draft, etc.  Maybe we could teach them to hunt (in different ways) too!  ;-)

I'd think it'd be great if there was an award for "most versatile dog of the year".  50 years ago, GS probably would've won it constantly.  Now, it'll probably be some Border Collie.  (But GS still have the potential - many are still doing all that work.)

I was really being fescicious, VKFGSD really answered his question. 

But I strongly disagree that OB is a "Given", ...maybe AKC Rally OB is a "given" but not the crazy perfect level that is expected in SchH!

Just curious...not trying to be a smartass...OLR do you train/title in SchH...justt cause it sounds like a comment from someone who hasn't spent many hours training for crazy perfect OB.  If I'm wrong I apologize.

I wish GSDCA would count some Therapy dog or Narcotics Detection work in that PAM title, now I gotta get a damn AKC tracking title, lol.

Regards,

Melanie

http://andymalyvah.tripod.com

Melanie

Obedience is a "given".  Every GSD I have ever had, came out of the womb with a perfect retrieve over an a frame, perfect focus, long down during distractions, perfect sendout and would you believe he knew the blinds at birth too?

I don't think you were being a smartass.  I think OLR made an ignorant statement.    Nothing against OLR, just that without proper knowledge one can make a foolish comment.

LOL thanks Don:-)

And I'd like to re-phrase my "Rally" being a "given" comment to  "Rally Novice" (all on leash, very basic stuff.)  Rally advanced and excellent is certainly more difficult and requires much more skill and training...don't want to offend any Rally people:-)

Melanie, I believe the FH qualifies for the PAM award if you do not want to do the AKC tracking but why not have a go and get his CT(Chamption tracker-Dog must hold all 3 tracking titles (TD, TDX and VST).

The key w/ the GSDCA is to be a member BEFORE the dog finishes the qualification for the award. They are not awarded retroactively.

The AKC also awards versatility . They have some titles specifically related to this scroll down to the bottom of the page of the first link for VCD etc. On the second page there are different types of versatile champions - Double, triple, VCCH etc.

http://www.akc.org/events/titles.cfm?page=2

http://www.akc.org/events/titles.cfm

And for Schutzhund folks who have not competed in AKC or a similiar venue - it aint easy to reach these levels. A title generally requires three successful perfomances and for a Championship of any kind it takes many points and many competitions. The OTCH is particularly difficult to achieve.

What floors me is you will see some folks who have reached the highest level of VCD and have done it 10x over with the same dog. Yikes I need to learn to manage my time better - either that or I need a "house" husband to manage the homefires while I go off and do dog stuff. :)