Best Schutzhund Area in America - Page 2

california has tons of clubs in all areas, most train year round.  if i had the option that would be the area i would look into.  probably central,  maybe north.
john

I'm the same boat as ziegenfarm- but a little bit north in Minnesota, I do not recomend the North Central Region- Winter is brutally cold and tons of snow, Spring is ok but very muddy and if you blink you miss it, Summer very hot humid and yes the Mosquio is really the state bird, Autum is perfect dog training weather cool and crisp not to wet not to dry but is only from the end of August to maybe early October.  I wish I had gotten in to Schutzhund before I left Northern California, I probably never would have left if I had and could perhaps end up back there someday.

  The Pacific Northwest is ideal for year-round training.  Yes, it rains, but that just means the the tracking conditions at 2 pm are about the same as at 7 a.m.   Lots of areas to track: turf, grass, pasture.  Not much dirt tracking done here.

There are not a lot of clubs and the training level is not at the level of the Mid-East or Southeast regions.  You can tell a bit about the training level from simply perusing the competitor line-up at USA Natinoal Events.  The Northwest, New England, Mid-East and Southeast always have respectable to large contingents of entries.   That is not because of the number of clubs (although it may be a factor), it is about the number of clubs with numbers of high-level trainers, handlers and helpers in each.

To clarify and narrow in "Pacific Northwest" In the above post it is refering to that portion along the I5 coridor to the west of the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon. The east half of washington and oregon, particularly in the columbia basin is the armpit of the state. It is generally dry, dusty, windy hot in summer and infested with "tackweed" and sand burrs. There is a noticeable lack of training opportunities on the east side. Colleen and K9 Barbie who have climate and training envy for the west siders, but ha ha our cost of living and housing is way cheaper. :)

Colleen,

Yes, you are absolutely correct!  Thanks for the clarification!!     I am talking about the clubs along the I-5 corridor between Woodburn, Oregon and Snohomish, Washington.   As you said, the east side of both states is "problematic' for training.

The  PNW region includes Montana, Idaho and ALASKA   Lord knows, you cannot train in those area (at least not outside) year "round.   That means no tracking.   The Alaskans seem to manage just fine, though.  The two clubs up there usually have 2-3 trials each  during the summer. 

You are correct about the cost of living difference, too.   But, then, you have to trade cultural events for acreage!!    Nice to see that  "zu Monani" has such a PNW connection, though, with Jarra (one of my all time favorite bitches).

We have a seminar with Uschi Fuchs scheduled in May. C'mon over!!


I should clarifiy that the weather in the Mid-East region is the reason I LEFT the place:  HOT HUMID summers, with 100 degree temps and 90% humidity.  Showering was almost a waste of water!! 

By the same token, as mentioned, that North Central region leaves a lot to be desired, too. I spent seven long, cold years there in Minnesota.    Once the snow and ice melts, around MAY, while the summers are relatively mild and surprisingly NOT humid....they have mosquitoes the size of birds!!  You can literally see the suckers across the street , when they realize you are there and turn for you!!  Then, they don't bite as a single mosquito, as normal ones do.  They swarm you!!  Hitchcock could have filmed a sequal to "The Birds" in Minnesota in the summer. 

Northern/Central California is quite a mecca for Sch training.

I live in Sacramento and within 1/2 hour, there are TD's who have trained dogs to the National (and I think world) level. I know one qualified for the FCI worlds with his dog.

Now if I want to go 2- 2 1/2 hours there are at least 5 (off the top of my head) top, top level trainers/helpers to work with including Mike Ellis when he is not traveling the country so there is alot of talent out my way.

just gloat about it GARD.   
john

Southeastern region. You can train year round. And their are many clubs.

Tulsa, Oklahoma-central to the Midwest KG of the D.V.G. and very close to the soutrh central region that includes much of Texas.

Best Regards,
Bob-O