Judges - Page 1

What is the difference between an SV judge and SVF judge under the USA "events" and what is the reason shouldn't you get a BH under a USA judge (something about it won't count for the breed survey) why? Thanks, Melanie

There is only a single reason to trial under an SV Judge, well, perhaps two. If there is ever any chance you would send your dog to Germany, you want ALL titles, breed survey, AD and show ratings to have come under the auspices of an SV judge. The SV does not recognize US titles, breed surveys etc., for their purposes. The other reason is that many people who are serious show enthusiasts have more respect, right or wrong, for an SV (SVF) rating or title. One must remember that any show rating is only as good as how large the class is being shown. I see this frequently misused with uneducated buyers of dogs. Telling someone your dog was whatever ranking is only as good as the entries. Even showing against 30-40 dogs in a working class in the Sieger Shows (such as would be put on by two US organizations) is a far cry from showing at the German BSZS where the classes will be more than 120 entries. Always remember that there may well be dogs who did not come who would have pushed ones dog back in the ratings or might have moved your dog up in placement. Local and regional shows often have small entries too, so though a V rating is likely to remain a V rating under another judge, the exact placement may be quite different. In my opinion, it is simply the rating that is so important most of the time, not the exact placement. If you only trial, show or survey your dog in the US, then getting all events under one of the organizations is the best policy since none of the organizations wants to play nice and we have petty issues which keep the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, for example, from recognizing the titles etc., from the WDA organization. So pick some organization and stick with it is my advice, as inconvenient as it seems sometimes. I hope this helps answer your question.

The bottom line is that BH, AD and show ratings are not recognized by SV or the "other" organization if not under an SV judge. As long as these, plus highest Schh/IPO/VPG rating is under SV/SVF judge, you can koer the dog in WDA. In fact, if you want to koer your dog in a WDA show, ANY title earned under a WDA American judge is not recognized. You have to repeat it under an SV/F judge - yes, a Schh3 dog with BH under West would have to redo the BH under an SV judge. So it is worthless to get a title under a WDA approved American judge who is not SVF or SV if you want to koer. At least, USA recognizes their own judges for titles and koers. Now, some "FCI" judges are showing up from Belgium and Holland in the USA trial results. I don't know how those titles will affect koers.

Thanks, So if I just plan on getting titles under USA then it doesn't matter, but what if we qualify to represent the US in the WUSV Championships, can we not participate if any of our titles were under a USA judge? It won't happen anyway, LOL, just for arguments sake. And what about the difference between SV and SVF. Thanks, Melanie

SVF is simply an SV-"foreign" judge, one licensed by the SV, but living in another country, such as Canada, Belgium, Slovakia, etc. They have completed the SV's judge's program, but are not Germans or living in Germany.