Dress Code

All competitors are required to wear tan or khaki slacks and a plain white collared shirt in obedience and protection phases. The shirt may be either short or long sleeved. No club insignia or logos are allowed. "Grubbies" may be worn for tracking. Of Course, raingear is allowed in event of bad weather.

Answers to questions about the competition
(From Trial Chairperson - Hartmut Beckmann)

• 1) Blinds will be up for the entire event and for all levels.
• 2) Jump and wall will be left on the field for the entire event as well.
• 3) The group will be the “old-fashioned” 4 cornered group.
• 4) The correct command for bringing your dog into the basic/finish position (to conclude the exercise) after the send-out or long-down is “SIT”
• 5) The command for the call after the hold and bark is: "Here/Heel" or "Hier/Fuß". Both commands need to be given.
• 6) The disarming procedure is not to include raising the arms anymore, but otherwise the procedure is up to the handler. So, if the handler wants to ask the helper to take one step back before disarming or heeling the dog away, you may do so. But please remember that the basic position next to the helper is required before proceeding with the side escort.
• 7) No specific requirements for the procedure to start the track (other than what is stated in the trial rules). I suggest you ask at the handler’s meeting (drawing) if you have specific questions. (also see Tracking Info below)
Specifically for the this year’s Nationals,
the following rule will be apply for the Obedience part:

• The Retrieve on the Flat is to be shown in the same direction as the heeling and/or the send-out.
  Meaning, you are not to throw the dumbbell across the field in the direction of the dog in the long down.
  This will also be announced at the drawing/handler’s meeting of this year’s Nationals.

General Rules For The Trial (From the LV Handbook)

a. Only those handlers who are currently paid up members of LV/DVG America and hold dhv/DVG scorebooks on their dogs may compete in the LV Championship, which, at the VPG 3 level, determines our dog/handler team(s) going to Germany for the DVG Bundessiegerprüfung. Though photocopies of scorebooks are now required to accompany entry forms, nonetheless, the handler must present his/her original scorebook to the Trial Chairman/Trial Secretary prior to competing.

b. A member shall be defined as a person who is a member of a member club of DVG America in good standing, as shown on the rolls of the Organization, who is a Permanent Resident or has applied to become a Permanent Resident, as defined by the rules of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (i.e., holds or has applied for a Green Card), living within the boundaries of the LV.

c. In order to compete in the LV Championship, a participant's LV member club membership application must have been received for processing by the LV Membership Officer (the LV Treasurer) prior to January 1 of the year in which the LV Championship is held. Sammelgruppe, or individual members, are prohibited by DVG rules from competing in any elimination trials. Only those who hold current membership in LV America member clubs may participate in the LV Championship.

d. The only requirements for VPG 1, 2, 3 are:

• 1. The dog/handler team must earn the title in a DVG trial at the same VPG level in which they are to compete in the Nationals, qualifying in the period between the previous year's Nationals and the present year's Nationals.

• 2. The dog must have earned 80 points (G) and an "a" TSB rating in protection in a successfully passed trial during the period between the previous year's nationals and the present year's Nationals, with the handler competing with the dog.

• 3. In the case of a titled import dog or any purchased titled dog, the handler must have successfully repeated the title in the class in which he or she is competing, with an 80 points in protection and an "a" TSB rating, during the period between the previous years Nationals and the present year's Nationals, with the same handler competing with the dog.

• 4. No handler may compete in VPG 1 or 2 with the same dog with which he/she competed in the same classification in a previous Nationals, and no dog may compete at a VPG 1 or 2 level if a higher degree has already been earned.

e. Scorebook Requirements

• 1. Any participant entering the LV Championship MUST have a dhv/DVG scorebook on that dog, showing the handler as the owner. If the dog is owned by one person and handled by another, BOTH owner and handler must be DVG members. The original scorebook must be presented to the appropriate trial official prior to competing. No photocopies are accepted.

• 2. If the dog entered is imported with an existing dhv, SV, ADRK, etc., scorebook, the new owner MUST obtain a dhv/DVG scorebook on the dog in the new owner's name. This can be done by photocopying the existing scorebook and sending it to DVG in Germany for registration of the titles and issuance of a new dhv/DVG scorebook, before he/she can enter the Nationals (or any DVG trial, for that matter).

• 3. Scores may be entered in all scorebooks held on the competing dog, so long as those scorebooks are given to the Trial Chairman/Trial Secretary prior to the beginning of the trial. Scores may also be entered in the dhv Sportpass.

• 4. Participants must have space in their scorebooks on which to enter the trial results. If the scorebook is full (no lines remaining), the participant will not be allowed to enter. It is the responsibility of the LV member to obtain a second scorebook prior to the Nationals by sending the old full scorebook or a photocopy to the DVG office and requesting a replacement scorebook. Faxing a copy to the DVG office with the request for a second scorebook is the quickest way to obtain a second scorebook.

• 5. Participants must present their scorebooks to trial officials no later than the night of the draw. If a participant has forgotten his/her scorebook, participation in the Nationals will not be permitted. In special cases, a participant may be allowed to participate if arrangements can be made for the scorebook to be sent overnight to arrive during the Nationals. This will be dealt with only on a case by case basis and is not to be considered a "given".

f. Entry Forms

Beginning with the LV Championship in 1993, all entrants MUST include a photocopy BOTH their current DVG membership card and scorebook along with their mailed in entry form and entry fee check. All entry forms are required to show the participant's membership number and LV/KG/Member Club numbers as well as verification of prior title(s). All information regarding club affiliation and member number on the entry form MUST be the same as that on the scorebook and membership card.Because of the volume of paperwork required for the Nationals, this information must be available to the Trial Chairman/Trial Secretary prior to the opening of the LV Championship so that verification of membership and title(s) can be made. The host club has the right to return any incomplete entry forms to members and require proper paperwork to be submitted before honoring the entry.