Thanks Kevin, I look forward to those links. It's always interesting to see the variations between groups. I do hope that here in the USA an easier yet high quality system is developed someday( soon!!).
The biggest obstacle for a person such as myself is logisics. It is absolutely impossible for me to travel as much as it seems would be necessary to acheive the titles which, as VC points out, are so necessary for fair and level evaluation of dogs that would be used to contribute to this great breed.
It is really too bad that there aren't more clubs in existance, that's also on my wish list!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Are schutzhund events open to the public? I'd sure like to see one. I'm semiretired(I work for the post office) and looking for a dog sport to participate in.

I have been to several events and am not currently a member (college student, but can't get the student price since I am over 18).

Sure, anyone can watch a Schh trial. Usually, clubs allow visitors who are interested in watching, asking questions and learning. Call the clubs to ask about training and about club trials. Trials are also usually listed in the USCA or other Schh organization magazines. Usually they are free to watch, except for the National level where there might be a small admission price. The USCA National Championships are being held Nov. 5-7 in Nashville, TN - come on out and watch, learn and enjoy!
Molly
Eichenluft Working German Shepherds
http://workinggermanshepherd.com

I think that we should have some system in place with a review every so many years to adjust or improve it. I would like to see a breeders club or something like it where there is an exchange of ideas on how to get to where we want the quality of dogs to be. A common goal with enough discussion so that we are on the same page. I would like to have an overall breed plan so that there would be an exchange of pups between breeders working on a particular line. Knowledge is invaluable and hard to come by. Maybe an apprenticship program made available thru the breed club. I know this is an expensive hobby, but maybe you come off the price if the puppy is going to a proven working home. And is shutzhund really the test that it should be? I would like to see some ring titles out there. I know this is hard there are a lot of people that would want to argue this to death but put a start out there at some point. If your governing org won't help then get out and start again. Forget the norm, the egos the people who "want" to be in charge and find those that want to work for something more than schutzhund 3. I would like it to be so hard that not many get it. It really is becomeing a show "Champion" title to easy to get. I see shutzhund 3 20x and I am disgusted. get a ring 3 as well don't just do the same thing over and over. Or come up with a shutzhund 4 if we can't achieve a title with the dog we have I garantee that Americans will step up that breeding to get that "4" I want to see dogs that are allowed to express themselves on the field and not just cookie cutter dogs. I want them to knock decoys down, I want them to fight being driven, I want them to wrap the decoys up and keep them from moving anywhere...... OK I just reread some of this hope you understand it's passion and not insanity that has made me write like this. Don't have a club? Make one. No decoys? Have children and get them certified. I just hate to see things dumbed down. Things take time and you have to start somewhere right???? Then lets start