I need a little history clarification. I was under the impression that the USA was against the formation of the GSDCA and its principles from the get go. Then last night I was reading an old Schutzhund USA Magazine (from the 80's) and it had a full page ad in which USA encouraged people to become involved with GSDCA and what their goals were for this new organization.

My question is, when did the relationship sour between the two and what exactly happen that made the two organizations take such different paths, if they were orginally trying to work together?

GSDCA was formed before USA and is a member of the AKC. After several meetings between the two organizations led by Gernot Reidel, the GSDCA bascially said thanks, but no thanks, go ahead and do what you want and best of luck to you (USA). I'm not sure if AKC had any pressure on GSDCA because of the bite work. That may have come in later years. Now we see AKC implementing a "Working Dog" title that includes some form of bite work.

Donna,

Do you what the status of the AKC working dog title is? I thought it was still under debate.

Sue;
No, I don't know what the status is of their Working Title.

The "Working Dog" titles are still under vigorous debate. And it's not looking too good for the titles, the show breeders have an overwhelming advantage with numbers in the GSDCA.
The breed clubs in the GSDCA are basically flexing their muscle, and if it comes down to a vote, the proposed titles will lose by a four to one margin, if you take the last several "show of hands" floor votes that were held in the last few meetings of the GSDCA.

And is this really going to surprise any working dog people? The GSDCA does not have the welfare of the GSD in mind for the most part.

Alright the ad is from the August 1983 (Vol 8. No 4) issue of Schutzhund USA - page 9.

It says:

"USA Executive Board Urges All German Shepherd Dog Fanciers to Join the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

*** USA Plans to place a number of USA persons on the GSDCA Board of Directors for the good of the Schutzhund sport in America.

USA Goals for the GSDCA:

*** all Champions must be OFA Certified
*** all Champions must pass a Temperament Test
*** all Champions must pass a Gun Fire Test
*** all Champions must be at least a SchH1

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America are responsible for the tremendous growth of the sport of Schutzhund in the United States, and since the GSDCA and its Working Dog Association appears to be creating its own Schutzhund Group --- USA, with over 3000 members -- intends to make sure that Schutzhund in the United States will only be under VDH Rules. Our best weapon to secure the future of Schutzhund is to implement our ideas by electing USA persons to high offices and to the Board of Directors of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

*** USA members are urged to join the GSDCA for the good of Schutzhund in the United States and to keep the United Schutzhund Clubs of America the #1 organization in the sport of Schutzhund in America! "


So what exactly soured this relationship? What happened to GSDCA's schutzhund program? When did USA pull out of GSDCA?

I only remember a few show people who showed interest but when training interfered with show schedules they went to the shows. I also remember that people thought it was a good idea but hard to put into place. Logistically I remember it being even harder to find clubs to train with, ect. ect. Now I doubt that the bridge could be crossed, people get tired of hearing how thier dog is crap. Easier to stay where they are and where they do well.

GSDCA has a Schutzhund program, the GSDCA-WDA.