My name is Beth and this is my first post here.

I have been a rescue dog owner and lover for years. While I have competed in the "animal world" with horses, my husband and I may get engaged in the dog world of Schutzhund and Sieger. We are both novices, so please forgive me in advance for my lack of knowledge functionally, and with terminology, etc.

In November 2003 we bought as GSD pup (7 weeks then) from what we feel is a very reputable breeder. Our original goals, which are still our primarly goals, were for a GSD that would make an excellent addition to our human and dog family at home.

Mean time as she has grown and developed, we have gotten feedback from 3 independent sources that she is promising as a show quality GSD. Our breeder is very involved in Schutzund, and we have started taking her to the training sessions where she is in the VERY early phases of "bite work training" (i.e. chasing the fuzzy thing on the end of a string).

Mean time, our breeder has suggested we show her in puppy conformation in late April. This will be "Sieger style" (for lack of more knowledgeable terminology) as opposed to AKC style. I'm just wondering how these puppy classes go.

After hours on the net, I finally found an article that seemed to provide some detail about Sieger style conformation. Looks like this AIN'T the AKC! What that article did not detail is what is involved for the puppy classes. I have to think it's more limited - i.e. are the gunshot tests involved? I can't imagine the classes are as long for the dogs OR handlers as the older puppy / dog classes are for a 6 month old.

Our breeder is more than happy to answer questions, so don't get me wrong there. I've just always been the type to seek independent information and opinions, and this seems like a good place to start.

Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to help educate a newcomer to this exciting sport!

Beth

This board's primary interest is in training. For most folks here, the dog's appearance is secondary. However, the German show lines are definately a step up from the American show shepherds.

The first step in titling your dog is to get the BH completed. BH is short for a great, long German word meaning traffic-steady companion. It is essentially a test to demonstrate the dog's ability to heel on and off lead, heel through a crowd, ignore other dogs, and to not chase joggers, bike riders, or cars. The sound-sensitivity test, typically gunshots, is no longer required for the BH. It is required for the Schutzhund degrees. The BH must be completed prior to attempting the Schutzhund, Tracking or Herding titles.

This site has a good description of what it takes to do the BH. It features comments on the "how to" aspect.
http://www.bigskyschutzhund.bizland.com/bh.htm

This site from DVG has a listing of the rules for the various working titles:
http://www.dvgamerica.com/rules.html

I would also recommend attending one of Bernard Flinks' training seminars or get the videos from Leerburg's. Basic rule is to learn how to play with your dog -- everything follows from that. Will Rambeau is sponsoring one seminar on March 10-14. http://www.leerburg.com/ubb//ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=47;t=000024

Leerburg's has one in early July.
http://www.leerburg.com/ubb//ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=151;t=000011

Beth,
These words are not meant to discourage you in anyway - I'm glad to see a newcomer entering the Germanic GSD ranks.
But,
Sorry, but Sieger shows are *almost* the AKC. I've attended five in the past several years, and I was very disappointed in the show line's working ability. I'd hoped that the Germans did a better job of choosing a top rated dog, but there is a *sharp* division between German show lines and working lines. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
And all the money chases the show line dogs in Germany - and money corrupts, to the detriment of the breed.

The dogs are structurely much better than AKC dogs, but their nerves are often not too good ( still not as bad as the average AKC GSD tho )
Sadly, every Seiger show that I've seen is a beauty pageant with a weak bite throw in.
The judges award the dogs "pronounced" in courage for a bite that most of us would be embarrassed over.

I have a show lines bitch myself, and I'm lucky that she works as good as she does. But her work ethic and ability is far below my Czech dog ( but darn,.....she is a good looking animal! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Ed sells an excellent tape on training for the BH - it's worth your time to watch.

Good luck with your new girl, may she bring you joy!

Thanks to you both for your clarifications, links and suggestions. I am like a sponge for information and understanding at this point, and I appreciate the help! I suppose at some point in time we were all new to this and all had to start somewhere.

We do have one of Ed's training tapes already which has been very helpful in teaching our puppy things within the context of play at this point. We will keep learning and listening. Who knows what direction this could take in the future. In the mean time thanks!!

Beth

7 Months Later...

It's been an interesting year for sure. Lots of Lurkin' -n- Learnin' here on line and in person.

While I had no idea at the time - yep, we landed right smack in the middle of the Conformation world. I am happy to say I've gained a healthy respect for the breeding and training on both sides of the equation. (too bad there are sides) The most exciting event for us this season was taking Kimba to the Canadian National Championships. What made that event particularly exciting was that the working dog trials (choosing the Canada World Team) were going on at the same time as the Conformation show. That was definitely the best of the working dog competition I've seen so far, and my appetite is wet!

Mean time, we have been VERY lucky (and I DO mean LUCKY) with our first GSD. She is undefeated 5X on the year so far - 2X in her age group at regional USA events, 2X at regional WDA events, and 1st in her age group at Canadian Nationals. We will be showing in Madison next weekend with fingers crossed for a decent finish (top 10 would make me happy) in the 9 - 12 month females.

I can't wait for the day when we look for our first "working" puppy with serious intent for that end of the sport. There is nothing wrong with a pretty dog either - especially one with a great personality.

I just want to thank you all here for your wealth of information. This board can be intimidating, but there is a ton of great information here.

I just had to laugh thinking about that old post - sorry to dredge up the past. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Beth