Style of USA - Page 1

Has anyone given any thought to the very off-putting tone of USA regulations?   This is a private organization that is supposed to believe in what it does -- and the value of registration within it -- yet it adopts a very negative tone.  Not welcoming at all.  I imagine it is very discouraging to newcomers. Does anyone have any insight into why this is?  And what might be done about it? 

The website is good and the registration forms themselves are fine, but the regulatiions sound as if they were written by a prison warden or a nasty school head:

http://germanshepherddog.com/members/USA%20Breed%20Registry%20Regulations.pdf

 You must not be a member of many clubs...pretty standard. Standard official language.

Can you be more specific?  I don't see anything "off putting".  They must be clear and precise so there are no misunderstandings.

It looks like they are keeping good track of the dogs within their registry.

 It also seems that they probably
do not except a Penn-hip evaluation, am I correct?

I like to think I have at least average intelligence, and consider myself fairly literate in the English language, but I still can't figure out from the info on the scorebook application how to make it so I can enter my AKC registered, WDA scorebook, American-born, non-USA registered dog in a USA club trial. I'm hoping I don't have to fork out $80. for USA Individual Registration + a USA scorebook. I AM a USA member, but only of the parent org., not any local USA club.

Any help would be appreciated. There are not enough WDA trials in my area this fall and I have a couple dogs I need to enter for titles before next year.

SS

Nothing has changed in the requirements...:-)

Here is the FAQs quick link that  USA has had on the front page of the website since the beginning of this year. 

http://www.germanshepherddog.com/usa-faq.htm

Shelley,

It seems to be quite clear that a person needs a scorebook to enter a trial,  and that the scorebook must be one that UAS recognizes and/or will certify (eg. DVG).  But,  WDA scorebooks are NOT recognized or certified by USA  (emphasis added):

1. I have a scorebook from another country/organization; how do I get the book recognized by USA?
2. Send the original book, along with a copy of the dog’s registration and the scorebook fee to the USA office.
3. All scorebooks are certified within 48 hours after receipt of the scorebook.
4. The scorebooks are returned back to the owner by certified mail.
5. USA does not recognize WDA books, nor does USA certify WDA books.
6. Do I have to be a USA member in order to get a scorebook certified?
7. No. USA offers the service to non-members as well as USA members.
8. The cost to certify a scorebook is $5.00 for current members and $20.00 for non-members.
9. Do I need to fill out a scorebook application for a certified book?
   It is not necessary to fill out the form as long as you send a copy of the dog’s registration along with the book.
10. Do I have to obtain a scorebook in order to participate in a trial?
    Yes, you need a scorebook in order to trial.

The above is directly from the USA website.  Bottom line: You cannot use the WDA scorebook for a USA trial.  But, you can obtain a USA scorebook for the dog for use in USA/DVG/WDA, etc. trials.   You don't have to be a member of USA to obtain a USA scorebook and there is no requirement to register the dog with USA for a scorebook (after all, some dogs with USA scorebooks are not gsds).

Right now UScA seems a little friendlier than the WDA.

Here's the language on the WDA application for membership:

AGREEMENT

As a condition of membership in the German Shepherd Dog Club of America-Working Dog Association,

(hereinafter “WDA”) the undersigned member agrees that for any cause of action, controversy or claim arising out of

to membership in the WDA, or any cause of action, controversy or claim arising out of or related to the entry, exhibition

attendance including but not limited to the qualifications of the particular entry at an event sponsored or held by the

as to the construction, interpretation or effect of this agreement, or any other issue arising from the administration of

regulations, procedures and guidelines, or bylaws of the WDA, shall, unless otherwise prohibited by law, be

arbitration in Denver, Colorado, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration Association then

Each party shall select one arbitrator from a list of arbitrators in Denver, Colorado, and a third arbitrator shall be selected

the two chosen by the parties. The costs of arbitration shall be shared equally by the parties unless the panel of arbitrators

otherwise determine. Notwithstanding the preceding, prior to arbitration of the cause of action, controversy or

published rules, regulations, procedures and guidelines, including the bylaws, of the WDA shall first be followed.

In contrast, here's what the UScA Membership Application says:

USA is a volunteer based organization and to run it efficiently, we look to our members for help on occasion.

The USA dog/litter registration paperwork looks like standard "boiler plate" churned out by lawyers for basic agreements.  Nothing pops out to me as having a "nasty" tone.  Looks detailed and professional.  Whether or no someone wants to bother with all that paperwork is another matter, and left to the individual to choose.

So what do you see, specifically, that is putting you off?