DVG NOW OFFERS

OBEDIENCE, TRACKING, AND PROTECTION TITLES

 In addition to its VPG*, IPO, FH, BH, and WH titles, LV/DVG America now offers three other areas of competition in Obedience, Tracking, and Protection. At a trial, Protection I - III titles must be earned in conjunction with either an Obedience or Tracking title. You may not enter only in Protection I - III. These competitions do not replace existing VPG titles, but merely add additional competitions to the existing trials. These other titles are not recognized titles for breeding. The VPG titles are still the recognized titles for breeding purposes.

Who might want to obtain these titles?

  1. Dogs who are not able to compete at all three levels of VPG, but whose handlers want the challenge of training for and competing in VPG style competition. The obedience titles allow these dogs to compete in trials at a more advanced level than the current BH title offers. The tracking titles allow teams to compete in tracking at different levels, rather than going right into a FH title.

  2. Dogs who are not quite ready for the title in the next level of VPG.

  3. VPG dogs who are not ready for a trial in all three areas, but whose handlers want to compete at a local trial and support their clubs.

How do I enter my dog for one of these titles?

  1. As with any DVG recognized title, the dog must first obtain a BH which shows the dog has basic obedience and sound temperament.

  2. To enter a trial for a BH a dog must first obtain a scorebook. The rules for the BH can be found in the current rulebook.

What’s required for the Obedience I, II, and III titles?

  1. The team is required to perform the same Heeling Pattern and obedience exercises that are shown at the VPG I, II, and III levels, respectively.

  2. The exact exercises and judging requirements can be found in the current rulebook.

  3. After completing the new title(s), the score(s) will be entered into the dog's scorebook.

What’s required for the Tracking I, II, and III titles?

  1. The team is required to perform the same tracking requirements that are shown at the VPG I, II, and III levels respectively.

  2. The exact exercises, judging requirements, and track layouts can be found in the current rulebook.

  3. After completing the new title(s), the score(s) will be entered into the dog's scorebook.

What’s required for the Protection I, II, and III titles?

  1. In order to enter a trial for a Protection title, you must also enter the same trial for an Obedience or Tracking title with the same dog.

  2. The team is required to perform the same exercises that are shown at the VPG I, II, and III levels in protection, respectively.

  3. The exact exercises and judging requirements can be found in the current rulebook.

  4. After completing the new title(s), the score(s) will be entered into the dog's scorebook.

What does a local DVG club have to do to offer these titles at their trials?

  1. The club must include these titles on the official trial application forms.

  2. If there are limited slots available in a trial, VPG, IPO, BH, WH, and FH entries must take precedence over the Tracking, Obedience, and Protection titles entries.

  3. All scores and titles must be entered into the scorebook and entry requirements must be met (i.e., current organizational affiliation, valid scorebook, etc.)

*Schutzhund has been changed to VPG (in German- Vielseitigkeitspruefung für Gebrauchshunde) which roughly translates into 'versatility test for working dogs.'

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