Hi, my name is Leska and I have a Newfoundland intact male named Brook who will be two years old tomorrow. I want him to pass the BH test within the next 6 months, and am completely new to Schutzhund. Live near Portland, Oregon and have found a club but have not get gotten answers to some questions.

There seems to be several Schutzhund organizations. It looks like one needs a scorebook to enter a test? Is there one overriding organization that will enable us to take tests at various clubs in different locations?

My Newf is very hairy and overheats easily so I may need to go to Washington State for enough coolness and shade to do the BH test and I would like to not have to join a different 'parent' org each and every time I travel north trying to find a cool enough location.

The club I am thinking of joining requires United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA) membership which is fine as long as that umbrella works for taking tests in other places.

A Newf is NOT a GSD so after the BH we are planning to do all the obedience and tracking training except high or long jumps / climbs and none of the Protection training. I won't be able to do any other tests than the BH but think the training is very valuable and will help us with AKC activities.

I bought the first 5 Michael Ellis DVDs and am beginning to re-train Brook in this method which I am finding very clear and effective, love it! Will get the others except Protection after we get a handle on the basics.

My Newf Brook is in training to be my service dog (have a 6 year old Orka who is fully trained) and will be doing water rescue work, drafting, obedience, rally, tracking, dock diving, and service tasks.

Any advice you can give a total Schutzhund newbie is appreciated.

In the Newf world, one can enter a trial without belonging to any club at all. Not the local or national club. So the Schutzhund world seems different and I am trying to understand it.

You can trial at any USCA trial with your USCA membership, with no regard for which local club you belong to (unless you are trying to qualify for regional competition, which you said you are not interested in). You can also trial with other organizations that are affiliated with USCA. Your club will be able to provide info on any trials that you are eligible for. Many clubs train and trial under multiple organizations, and some train AKC and other disciplines outside of USCA. That should not matter to you, though, because a BH is a one-time test. Once you pass it, you won't need to go to any more trials.

There is nothing strenuous about a BH. Your dog should have no problem performing it in any climate. If you are still concerned, concentrate on what time of year you trial, rather than location. Enter an early spring trial. That is a common time of year for trials.

IMO, based on your post, your bigger challenge will be finding a club that will work with an off-breed and will work with a dog who is not seeking to title.

Good luck.

Thank you Duane that is the info I was looking for!

My Newf is overly sensitive to heat even for Newf -- he has a skin condition that makes him overheat, but he overheated before he got that, so finding a cool enough location and time of year is important.

I think I've found my "home" club but needed to know what is required to BH test at other locations if it is necessary. Also found another club that welcomes other breeds in a wetter cooler area so it is all looking good now.

Ppl tell me there's a Newf in Washington State named Baxter who has done Schutzhund so I'm trying to find the owner to ask a couple Newf related questions, but I think we have enough info now to proceed without any worries. Thanks!

If you can find a DVG club in your area they do all breeds although some can be picky about it.

Thank you Bob. There is a DVG club that I will be visiting. Will the USCA scorebook be accepted by a DVG club or does one have to join more orgs to BH test at a DVG club?

I think the club actually is a member of DVG and USCA. Just looked up DVG to try to figure out what it is. Very cool! A working sports club for everybody!

I finally found Baxter the Schutzhund Newfoundland in Washington State and his owners have very kindly answered my questions! Very happy with all this now. Feel very fortunate to have found the Michael Ellis DVDs and a training path that addresses everything I need with my male teen.

After watching some videos about the purpose of Schutzhund and understanding it more, I can only wish such a system were formed and practiced for every breed specific to its capabilities. It's awesome. I'm lucky to have the best water rescue training info for Newfs on the planet -- what they are bred for -- and because they are a versatile strong working breed, it is great good fortune to be able to access the parts of other systems that will work well for a Newf.

I believe the DVG was one of, if not the first Schutzhund organization.

Schutzhund was originally a test to see the working qualities of the GSD.

It's become a sport and today probably more about the training skills and not as much the real qualities of the dog.

There are quite a few organizations that are directed at specific breeds doing specific things related to that breed.

Michael Ellis is top shelf!