USA membership has been the subject on at least on regional forum. And probably on more as the new pres. is attempting to take the pulse of the membership on this issue.

What came to light in some spirited forum posts in one region is this:
1) Some members own more than one working breed. USA decision to focus only on the GSD forced at least one member to rethink the cost of paying for membership in several working dog orgs. Folks who do only Sch for sport, not breeding, remember when it was strictly a Sch organization, and don't like the push to become a "breed club".

It was felt the USA lost thousands of membership revenues when it first made the org a German Shepherd Club exclusively, yet making alternate breeds become members to trial at USA events to earn titles. (AWDF came along with the same rules to enter?)

2) For hard core competitors, the issue of the Nationals is of prime concern. It was stated that USA would be better off with more Nationals in different parts of the country that can be attended by people to qualify for the WUSV. Also, allowing alternative breeds brings in more money and provides more opportunity to send good teams.

3) There were comments about USA members as being non-supportive (and sometimes rude) to each other, more so than as may be the case with the other organizations. DVG trials seemed more open with an opportunity to meet a lot of supportive people. When there is more support towards each member, then more members are competing for fun. The average person needs success. Not everyone trains for a world team position!

4) It was also discussed that there is confusion as to who really has the power with the WUSV team. In the old days, one had to only pass at a WDA National to make the team. The USA team also had a team consisting of approx six members. Now the WDA organization has grown in leaps in bounds and one has to go there to compete for the top positions to make the WUSV team. If really pushed, could WDA control the WUSV team? They are afterall, a member of WUSV, where USA is not. Comment was made that some membership would like to see them push the issue....it would help the rest to make the decision to either completely support USA or jump ship.

Right now, many of the membership, primarily the hard core competitors, stand on a fence and support the org that can help them reach their podium goals. And more than once, I've seen the comment --especially from SV style breeders who NEED to trial dogs--- that it doesn't matter what org offers the trials, they go to the one nearest by that will offer what they want/need. There is seemingly no loyalty to USA, only to individual goals...

Here's my take on USA.
As a long standing member the organization has always had the goal of being a GSD organization. The take that there was a change in the club is wrong.
The fact is the only difference made was that the Nationals would be a GSD Ch. Why? The Germans didn't like the fact that USA was a GSD club and the event called the Nationals wasn't a GSD event.
The decline in numbers comes from many avenues. first, the cost of doing SchH. 65.00/year for the national club, a local club has dues to include affiliation dues to the national club and to the region it belongs to. I think I figured out last year that we needed 12 members paying dues at 250/person to cover equipment replacement, insurance, regional dues and fees, national dues, and the basic cost of one trial per year for a USA Judge.
Add to this the need to register the dogs with USA, now we need to do a helper seminar or send our helpers to one within the next year or so.
Another reason is that among dog enthusiasts they have a broader choice than they have ever had. DVG, AWDF member groups, Mondio Ring, Street ring, PSA, French ring and of course WDA.
Law Enforcement has all but lost all interest in USA due to the decline of the WPO in Germany and the fact that WDA has picked up the event and brought with it a bit of clout since the judge for the event is also the representative to the International Congress on Police Dogs, the over arching organizxation for the WPO.
An additional reason is that the GSD continues to loose ground against the Malinois as a working dog and most people in the US that do SchH are in it for the bite work plain and simple. You can track, do agility, show your dog in obedience and conformation in AKC, you can do S&R, you name it through many groups. So, if you want great bitework we see more converts to the Malinois and they go to a variety of sports/disciplines.
And here is another reason. Professionals dominate USA. It is intimidating for a newbie. They get sucked into the idea that they need to work with a pro, pay a pro, and emulate one to have any success.
There is little nurturing of people with varied interests within USA.
In addition USA's breed program is a copy of Germany's but not recognized by them. It is a tough to participte in program in the US. Travel is costly (and becoming more so) but USA seems to think it should just keep the status quo.
It needs a quick efficient breed selection program that provides a one day in and out for breeding stock evaluation. a Breed suitability test where poeple can dedicate one full day or a weekend to get a breeding licence on their animal. To promote the USA working dog breeding program as the one and only of its type in north america. The Germans don't have to like it or recognize it.
The other thing that needs to happen is that the AWDF MUST become a useful overarching organization that promotes the same thing among its member clubs:
registry and working titles and breed suitability testing. national championships and cooperation among the member clubs to produce a working model program to promote performance sports and breeding among Americans.
The plan must include things like promoting various sports and disciplines among the members by recognizing those efforts to wupport the breeds involved regardless of which program they play in.
Just my two cents on the subject.

Will thanks for the info. Just my luck I move to south Florida from Tallahassee and get into GSD's and you were in neighboring T'ville. I checked the website for a club in my area and struck out. I will look into joining and see if I can locate a club that is not too far away. Thanks
Terry

Treat them like they are animals
Train them like they are animals
Love them like they are people..................Louis Grant

As a member of the USRC we are just starting our own working judges program. We have a naitonal schutzhund championship, though very few attend. We do not require a Ztp. to breed unless you are a registered breeder but do encourage the test. We do require that all dogs entered for sieger class have a minimum of a Sch1, Bh, BST and a passing hip rating but the conformation folks whine about that constantly.

I agree the cost of participating in the sport is very high.
I belong to my breed club, the USA and my closest USRC club.
I travel 500 miles a week to train. I leave at 2pm on Saturday and drive almost 250 miles. We work dogs then around 10-10:30pm we head back and roll into the driveway about 4am. Gotta do what ya gotta do. I also agree that some of the problems facing the average Joe to train for the sport requires them to seek other outlets. Sometimes it just boils down to plain can't afford to pay 50.00 a session everytime you walk on the field. Luckily I have a great helper now who does it because he enjoys it and doesn't need to make a living at it. I have to buy him gas cards and slip it in his car when he ain't looking.

what's wrong with the GSDCA/ WDA?

My problem with them is regarding the ethics of those in leadership positions in the GSDCA/ WDA that I've observed first hand.

Will, I'm hoping that will change shortly. I know of someone who should be running for president (not Ken Downing either). I'm hoping that he will announce it in the next few wks.