Show Rules

General Breed Evaluation Regulations

USCA CONFORMATION SHOW HOST GUIDELINES

 

INTRODUCTION

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America, Inc. (USCA) is a German Shepherd Dog breed organization. In order to preserve and develop the breed, to accomplish the goals laid down in Article II and III of the constitution and bylaws of USCA in general and in particular, and to put on breed shows indispensable for the maintenance of the breed, USCA sets down the following Breed Show Regulations which are submitted by Johannes Grewe as a modified translation of the SV Breed Show Regulations, Edition 1996, and officially published in 1998.

These regulations have been recommended by the 1998 Breed Advisory Committee, and have been approved by the Executive Board at the meeting in Bangor, Maine on May 6, 1998. (updated GBM 2022)

The adoption of these Breed Show Regulations invalidates all previous ones.

  1. DEFINITIONS AND JURISDICTIONS
  2. We Distinguish Between
    • Local breed shows.
      • USCA clubs organize, and host breed shows for stock hair and long stock hair with undercoat. The judging of the dogs is to be carried out separately and in accordance with their type of coat, subdivided into classes and breed groups. See I.2.
    • Regional breed shows.
      • USCA clubs organize, and host breed shows for stock hair and long stock hair with undercoat. The judging of the dogs is to be carried out separately and in accordance with their type of coat, subdivided into classes and breed groups. See I.3.

1.3 The USCA Sieger Show (odd years) and the USCA National Show (even years).

  1. Local Breed Shows are held by and are the responsibility of local USCA clubs.

2.1 Show dates for local breed shows must be approved by the region.

2.2 Planning and scheduling of the local breed shows is carried out by the respective region.

2.3 Selection of the judges and payment of the judges’ expenses is the responsibility of the local clubs.

2.4 The local club sponsoring the breed show must prove that insurance coverage has been arranged for the event.

2.5 The sponsoring local club is responsible for the flawless organization and execution of the show and observance of all applicable USCA rules. This includes availability of a sufficiently large ring.

  1. Regional Breed Shows

3.1 Each region is obligated to hold one regional breed show per year. The regional office may delegate the event in its entirety or in part to one of its local clubs.

3.2 The date of the yearly regional breed show is chosen by the region sponsoring the show.

3.3 Selection of the judges for the regional breed shows is made by the region holding the shows.

3.4 The date of the regional breed show must be approved by USCA headquarters.

3.5 Insurance must be provided as set forth under 2.4.

  1. USCA Sieger Show

Every WUSV member country shall only organize and hold one national winner show called the Sieger show per year where the ranking of Excellent Select (VA) may be granted. USCA conducts the United States Sieger Show (odd years) by agreement with the other WUSV club located in the United States.

4.1 USCA is the sponsoring organization, which delegates the event to a region. Implementation of the show may in part be delegated to the region; however, the USCA President has final authority.

4.2 The show date is determined by USCA.

4.3 Judges are selected by the Board of Directors.

4.4 In addition, special directives published in the information materials (USCA magazine, catalogue, i.e. etc.) apply.

  1. ORGANIZATION OF BREED SHOWS
  2. For breed shows described under I.1 – I.4, a printed catalogue must be issued.

1.1 A printed breed event catalogue shall be mandatory. The catalogue must indicate name, registration number, their microchip or tattoo number, their date of birth, their trial titles, breed survey information if applicable, the hd/ed certifications, sire and dam information (name, registration, titles), name of the breeder, and name of the owner (and co-owner) for each dog entered.

1.2 Only dogs fulfilling conditions below may be entered and listed in the catalogue and only dogs in the official catalog shall be subject to evaluation.

1.2.1 Must present a WUSV or FCI recognized pedigree.

1.2.2 Must have microchip or tattoo.

1.2.3 Are free of all signs of illness.

1.2.4 Are not barred from progeny registration.

1.2.5 Females cannot be presented from the 42nd day of pregnancy on. Lactating females may only be shown 70 days after giving birth to the litter.

1.2.6 The owner must be a member of a WUSV organization.

1.2.7 May not be owned by persons barred from exhibiting dogs.

  1. Show Classes

Dogs exhibited at breed shows are subdivided into classes. The closing date for class division shall be the first day of the show in case an event is scheduled for longer than one day. The dogs shown at a breed event are divided into the respective classes for stock hair and long stock hair with undercoat.

2.1 Youth Class applies to dogs older than 12 months, but under 18 months.

2.2 Young Dog Class applies to dogs older than 18 months, but under 24 months.

2.3 Open Dog Class applies to dogs older than two years without working title.

2.4 Working Dog Class applies to dogs over 2 two years old, after having successfully passed a character test (WB), proof of hd/ed certification on the pedigree, a recognized trial title (IGP 1, IPO 1, RH 2-A, HGH). (WB will be required to enter working class for all dogs born on or after 1/1/2025.)

2.5 Herding Dogs fall under the age definitions set forth in II.2.1 to II.2.4. The herding dog class only includes dogs serving in a herding capacity. Working Dog Herding Class is limited to dogs who have earned a Herding Dog title.

2.6 Breeders’ (Kennel) Groups –. Each Kennel Group consists of a minimum of (3) three dogs and a maximum of (5) five dogs that possess the name of the kennel. These dogs must come from at least two different mothers and two different fathers. Dogs entered in the kennel group must also be entered and shown in a regular class with a minimum rating of “G” “Good”. The dogs must be of the same coat variety. Breeders may enter more than one Kennel Group. Stock Coat and Long Stock Coat Kennel Group will be judged separately. The judging will be based on uniformity of the group, quality of the individual animals and the most possible combinations of parents.

2.7 Progeny Groups may be presented. The groups must consist of a minimum of (5) dogs that were born by at least three different mothers.

2.8 The Maternal Family consists of 4 animals (dogs and/or bitches) from one Kennel, which can be attributed to the direct dam line (maternal kennel name), and must bear the same kennel name. For registration purposes at the Show, the entry “Maternal-Family“ will be an individual registration form A minimum of 4 dogs entered from 1 maternal name – male or female – must be be presented. The dogs must come directly the from dam’s line and must have the maternal kennel name The Maternal Family may consist of either permitted coat type (SC/LC) The presentation and evaluation of maternal family is a separate competition. 50% of the participating animals do not have to be shown in their respective classes. However, registration applies for all animals entered All dogs must have the appropriate qualifications for their age in terms of titles, breeding surveys and HD/ED results

 

  1. Dogs over 2.5 years of age with no working title are not eligible.
  2. Dogs over 3.5 years without a breed survey are not eligible.
  3. All dogs entered must be from parents that are titled/breed surveyed
  4. At least one of the dogs must be presented in the working class.

 

If a dog entered in the Maternal Family class becomes ill before the final evaluation, the breeder is free to continue competing or to withdraw the Maternal-Family. If the minimum number cannot be reached due to a dog falling ill, the Maternal Family cannot participate in competition The evaluation of the Maternal-Family will take place in the ring for Breeders Group Mother-Family Class presentation will immediately precede the performance of the Progeny Group Participation in the Maternal-Family competition must be recorded in the catalog. All dogs that are part of the presentation must be listed individually, under the maternal name. A breeder may register several Maternal Families in the same event

 

2.9 To promote breeding activities, a puppy show where no ratings are awarded may be held. Dogs between four and six months old, six and nine months old, and nine and twelve months old can be entered in this show. Puppy classes are only possible in conjunction with a regular breed show. The puppy classes must precede the breed show and take place on the same day. Assessment of the dogs must be made by SV, USCA, or USCA-approved judges. (2003 GBM)

2.10 Dogs older than six years may be shown in a separate class, the Veterans Class. No ratings are awarded, but the animals are ranked and placed according to quality and they must meet the same qualifications as the Working Dog Class.

  1. Assessments

In puppy classes under paragraph 2.8 the following assessments are made:

Very Promising (VP) – Animals conforming fully to the breed standard or have minimal anatomical shortcomings.

Promising (P) – Animals conforming to the standard, but presenting clearly recognizable anatomical and developmental shortcomings.

Less Promising (LP) – Animals who are not outgoing enough or with faults which make them unfit for breeding.

The assessments cannot be interpreted as an evaluation of breeding worth.

  1. Ratings

4.1 At breed shows as set forth under I.1 – I.4, the following ratings can be issued:

Excellent Select – VA – Only awarded at the United States Sieger Show – Animals in the Working Classes who, after undergoing a thorough examination, fully conform to the breed standard, who are self–confident, outgoing, and indifferent to gun fire. Must be minimum IGP 2 or IGP 3 if vying for 2nd United States VA title. Must have proof of the “a” stamp normal or fast normal rating from WUSV approved hd/ed certification stamped on the pedigree. OFA elbows are not accepted for dogs born after October 1, 2021. Must have a valid breed survey and the first breed survey examination must be with TSB pronounced. Must have DNA stored with USCA office. Parents and grandparents must be titled prior to breeding and parents/grandparents must be breed surveyed within the calendar year after the birth of the litter.

Excellent – Animals in the Working Class who, after undergoing a thorough examination, fully conform to the breed standard; who are self-confident, outgoing, and indifferent to gun fire; whose pedigree shows proof of WUSV recognized hd/ed certification; and, when more than 3-1/2 years old, must be breed surveyed. (At a Sieger Show, the dog must have a breed survey to achieve an excellent rating.) Double premolars #1 are allowed. OFA elbows will no longer be accepted for dogs born on or after October 1, 2021.

Very Good – The highest rating in the Youth and Young Dog classes for animals who fully conform to the breed standard. In the Adult Classes, this rating goes to animals which meet the requirements for “excellent”, but show minor anatomical shortcomings. It also applies to anatomically faultless animals who measure up to one centimeter over or under size limits, or have one missing premolar #1 or one incisor.

Good – Applies to animals who conform to the standard, but show clearly recognizable anatomical shortcomings. Missing teeth as follows: two missing premolars #1; or one missing premolar #1 and one missing incisor; or one missing premolar #2; or one missing premolar #3; or two missing incisors; or one missing premolar #2 and one incisor; or one missing premolar #2 and one missing premolar #1, or 2 missing premolars #2.

Sufficient – Applies to animals who are on the day of the show, sensitive to gun fire, do not display the required outgoing behavior or whose overall condition including anatomical factors does not permit award of a higher rating.

Insufficient – Applies to animals who are gun shy, show poor character and/or do not display the required degree of outgoing behavior or have faults which preclude their use for breeding. This ranking applies also to animals that exceed the upper and/or lower measurement limits by more than one centimeter. The rating “insufficient” mandates issuance of a “Unavailable for Progeny Registration” notation which must be requested by the breed judge.

4.2 Extraordinary circumstances which resulted in partial tooth damage or tooth loss do not affect breed ratings. The requirement here is that the previous presence of healthy, strong teeth and a faultless scissor bite without faulty incisor tooth line is established without doubt and this fact must be documented. The original presence of missing teeth can be documented by:

  1. A certification of dental completeness by a USCA or SV conformation judge documented in the scorebook or the appropriate window of the pedigree.
  2. The presence of the Breed Survey documentation in which the dental completeness has been notified at the breed survey.
  3. A dental notification entered by the USCA Office on the pedigree. (2003 GBM)

III. OTHER REGULATIONS

  1. Show entry fees must be paid for a dog entered but not shown.
  2. Breed Shows shall be open to the public.
  3. On all breed events, the mentality in terms of tolerance of the dogs shown has to be taken into consideration. The possibility for appropriate gait exercises has to be guaranteed.
  4. The steadiness to gun shot is verified at a distance of approximately 15 steps with a 6mm caliber starter pistol.
  5. Dogs who are present for examination (standing) and are then removed from competition without permission from the officiating judge, must receive an “Insufficient” rating. An “Insufficient” rating mandates that this dog’s progeny be barred from registration. This ban takes effect at the same time this rating is issued and is reported to headquarters by the judge.
  6. Ratings awarded by a judge during a breed show are final. Protests are not permitted.
  7. The exhibitor must give truthful information about his dog. Attempts to mislead result in USCA penalty proceedings.
  8. The exhibitor must display good sportsmanship when showing their dog. Offenses may entail disqualification of the dog, removal from the show grounds, and/or initiation of penalty proceedings. Anyone who purposely refuses to answer inquiries, or makes false statements, and anyone who changes the dog’s appearance (including surgical interventions), in order to mislead the judge or permits others to do so, loses any awards already earned at this show and may, depending on the severity of the case, be excluded from further shows or may be fined by USCA.
  9. Only judges who are recognized by USCA are authorized to judge breed shows that are subject to the WUSV breeding program.
  10. It is not permitted to judge dogs at breed shows who are owned or who are in the possession of the judge officiating that day or whose caretaker he is. The utmost discretion should be practiced with dogs who are owned, are in possession of, or in residence with persons close to the judge. This includes close personal relationships, breeding partnerships, co-ownerships, and persons who share his residence.
  11. It is not permitted to use acoustic enhancers (powered by electricity, gas, compressed air) when calling to the dog. It is also prohibited to use pistols, whips, or protection sleeves for double handling. Transgressions may lead to disqualification of the dog, removal from show grounds of the double handler, and the initiation of internal proceedings against the dog’s owner and double handler.

 

Performance Test Guidelines

Performance Test Guidelines

Heeling to attack on handler.

The start line will be marked with 2 flags 5’ apart. The 60’ distance will be marked with flags or tape to help direct the handler towards the correct position of attack out of the blind.

The end of the 60’ of free heeling will be marked with 2 crossed flags. The helper will be signaled to attack after the handler/Dog team has passed the minimum distance mark (2 crossed flags). The handler should remain in position and not approach the dog until signaled by the judge to approach the dog and heel to the “Attack On Dog Out of Motion (Courage test) position.

Attack on Dog out of Motion (Courage test).

The line will be marked by 2 crossed flags about 5” apart at a distance of 60-70 yards down field from the blind. The dog should be sitting calmly; the handler may hold the collar. The handler MAY NOT “pump up or agitate the dog”. After the helper exits the blind and makes the turn toward the Dog/handler the Handler will be signaled to release the dog. The Handler must remain at that position until after the out and signaled to go to pick up the dog.

Pickup and heeling away from the helper after the Attack on Dog out of Motion (Courage test).

If the Handler is unable to free heel the dog away from the Helper it may be leashed and heeled away from the Helper. Any dog that cannot execute a free heel away from the Helper for 5 paces cannot score greater than a 4 (out of 5) “a” rating and will not be eligible for a Performance Award based on this year’s criteria for the Performance Awards as approved by the BAC.

Performance Test Field Layout

PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION TEST

All dogs entered into the Working Classes (male and female) at the USCA National Show must
participate in the Performance Test prior to proceeding to the other phases of the show (stand and exam,
ring work). Dogs that do not earn a rating of Pronounced, “a” (minimum point rating of 3/3 out of
possible 5/5) will not proceed to the other phases of the show (stand and exam, ring)

The “Performance test” will be held on the first day of the Show as the first event of the show. The
“Performance Test” will use two (2) helpers one (1) for the front half exercise “Attack on handler” and
one (1) for the back half exercise “Attack on Dog Out of Motion” (courage test) and will be judged by
the USCA Director of Judges or in his/her absence a designee appointed by the Director of Judges and
approved by the USCA Breed Advisory Committee.

“Attack on Handler” (front half exercise, “Attack out of the Blind”). The distance from the starting point
of free heeling (off leash) to the blind will be 60 feet. The dog will have three (3) attempts to perform
the free heeling exercise to the “Attack on Handler” and it must reach the predetermined minimum
distance of twenty feet (20) from the blind to pass. The actual attack will commence when the dog has
passed the marked distance of twenty (20) feet from blind but before it reaches fifteen (15) feet from the
blind. The judge will signal the helper to attack the dog when it is between fifteen (15) and Twenty (20)
feet from the blind.

The judge will evaluate performance work as it is described in USCA’s Rule Book, “The dog should
counter the attack securely and energetically in stopping the attack by the helper.” A lack of self
confidence in the work shall be evaluated as “sufficient” (vh) in courage earning a score of less than 3
points in either portions of the 5/5 point evaluation as described below, an unwillingness to engage or
leave the helper or continue to work will be evaluated as “insufficient” (ng) with a score of 0 or 1 and be
Disqualified (DQ).

The “out” should show the dog clearly off the sleeve and in the guarding phase. The only command
permitted is one (1) word for the out such as: out, aus, or any other single command meaning out or
release. The handler has up to three (3) attempts using the out command to make the dog out (release the
sleeve). The first out command is at the handlers choice within 3-5 seconds after the pressure phase has
ended (helper has stopped drive / moving). If the dog requires additional commands to out the handler
may give an additional two (2) commands or the judge will indicate to the handler to give additional out
commands as needed to show the dog clearly off the sleeve. If the dog is not out after the third (3) out
command the dog is disqualified (DQ) “no out”. The commands of sit or down to affect the out are not
permitted here and will result in “sufficient” (vh) or “insufficient” (ng) and/or disqualification (DQ) as
determined by the judge based on how it influenced the dogs performance. The dog, however, may sit,
down or stand upon the out command, but may not bother the helper during the guarding without
incurring deductions. As the handler approaches the dog, the sit may be reinforced at a distance of up to
10 (ten) feet from the dog if necessary. Only with a single command of sit, additional commands are
faulty. The use of the command “down” or “platz” or similar to keep the dog with the helper are a
disqualification (DQ).

The handler may after the attack, leash their dog without physical restraint (such as, grabbing the dog to
prevent re-grip) or choose not to leash the dog. The dog may receive an extra command to out in order
to put the leash on the dog as long as it does not exceed the total of three (3) out commands with no
penalty; however, a dog that must be physically restrained or taken off of the sleeve physically will be
disqualified. Once the dog is secured on lead it may be “heeled on leash” or ‘free heeling off leash “may
be displayed to move the dog away from the helper a minimum of five (5) paces. Exercise completed.

The repositioning down field for the “Attack on Dog Out of Motion” will be a minimum of fifty (50)
paces or the full field as determined by the judge based on the USCA Rulebook. The dog must remain
under the handlers control, a loss of control while repositioning will be reason for disqualification (DQ).
Special merit in the Performance Test (5/5) Rating will be placed on dogs that show control and wait in
the “watch position” in a calm manner.

“Attach on Dog Out of Motion” (back half exercise, “long grip, courage test”). With the dog and handler
in “basic position” at the predetermined distance for the exercise, the dog may be held by the collar (dog
remaining on handlers left side in “basic position”) but not verbally or physically encouraged /
stimulated. The dog should be in the basic position as the helper runs from the “blind’ and proceeds to
the middle of the field and turns towards the dog / handler to start the exercise. The helper will be verbal
and physically threatening as he/she turns towards the dog. The handler will release the dog upon a
signal from the judge, a dog that is released or breaks away before the helper has made the turn towards
the handler will be disqualified (DQ), a dog that is released or breaks away from the handler after the
helper makes the turn towards the handler but before the judges signal will be considered faulty and be
evaluated at a lower Performance rating.

The performance work and the out will be evaluated the same as described above in the attack on
handler exercise.

The handler may not move down field towards the dog until the dog has clearly shown the out and the
judge signals the handler to pick up the dog. The handler must walk at a normal pace to his dog (running
to pick up the dog is faulty and will cause a lower Performance rating). During the guarding phase (as
described above in “Attack on Handler) the handler may reinforce the dogs’ position with an additional
sit command as the handler approaches and is within 10 paces of the dog. In this exercise the dog will
not initially be placed on leash (lead), the dog/handler must attempt to free heel away from the helper
five (5) paces to report out to the judge). The handler will be allowed up to three (3) commands/attempts to free heel (off leash heel) the dog away from the helper without a mandatory Performance
Rating (5/5 scoring) deduction. If the handler is unable to free heel the dog away from the helper with
three (3) commands / attempts or less the dog may then be placed on leash (lead) and show five (5)
paces on leash (lead) heeling away from the helper to the judge. If the leash (lead) is required to heel the
dog away from the helper the dog may still be rated “Pronounced” (“a”) based on the dogs’ “TSB”
(instinctive behavior, self-confidence, ability to handle stress) behavior shown in the “fighting /
guarding” portion of the exercise, but the total “Performance Score” cannot be rated higher than four (4)
points and the dog will not be eligible for a Performance Award.

Any handler not following the judge’s directions (example: not waiting to be called in to pick up the dog
at the judges signal, encouraging the dog), will be evaluated at a lower rating for “handler help / extra
commands” to help the dog complete the exercise and this will earn a lower Performance Rating
(5/5scoring). If it affects the dogs performance this may change the “TSB” rating as well. If the dog is
unable to be heeled away from the helper after being placed on leash it will be disqualified (DQ) with no
TSB rating and will not proceed to the ring due to DQ out of control.

Loss of control of the dog during any part of the Performance Test is cause for Disqualification (DQ).
Evaluation of the Performance Test

Dogs that do not demonstrate a correct performance test cannot receive the rating of Excellent–select
(VA).

Dogs that continue to bump or re-grip after the “out” will be faulty and rated at lower ratings.

Dogs that do not perform the “out” exercise, or receive the evaluation of “sufficient” (“vh”) or
“insufficient” (“ng”) cannot continue in the Show (Stand and Exam or Ring). No show rating will be
given.

Explanation of Performance Test Ratings
In order to improve the Performance Test (TSB) rating system for the Sieger Show the SV implemented
a rating scale of 5/5 as described below. USCA will also use this 5/5 rating system for performance to
help further clarify the overall performance of dogs in each rating category (insufficient “ng”, sufficient
“vh”, pronounced ‘a”) in the Performance Test for the Sieger Show. This 5/5 scoring system better
defines the differences in performance as it applies to each category and will be given in addition to the
normal rating of “ng” – “vh’- “a”. This brings more transparency and a more specific description of the
performance in each category (Front Half exercise “Attack on Handler” and Back Half exercise “Attack
on Dog Out of Motion”.

The following contains a more detailed description about the 5/5 performance rating as it applies to the
particular phases of the TSB test.

Pronounced “a” is a rating of 3-4-5. These dogs will proceed to show in the ring
Sufficient “vh” is a rating of 2. These dogs will not proceed to the stand and exam or ring
Insufficient “ng’ is a rating of 1 or a “DQ”. These dogs will not proceed to the stand and exam or ring
Only dogs receiving an overall score of 4/5, 5/4 or 5/5 (total of 9 or 10 points) will be awarded USCA
Performance Awards at the Sieger Show or National Show.

General Explanation of 5/5 Rating for Performance

Rating: 5
The dog reacts immediately to the attack with behavior to include confidence, directly to the attacker,
energetic and convincing manor. It shows an effective, calm, firm and full grip in all phases of the
defense exercise (engagement, drive and transition). The dog releases after the allowed command to out
and then shows powerful guarding with natural intensity, aggression and willingness to take direction
from the handler

Rating: 4
The dog reacts at immediately and convincingly; it shows a good grip but may not be completely full
and/or calm it may be somewhat anxious in all phases of the defense exercises. It releases after the
allowed command (may be slightly slow out.) and shows good natural intensity in the guarding phases
with good intensity, aggression and willingness to take direction from the handler.

Rating: 3
The dog reacts with a slight /a little hesitation in the attack, it should show more speed and commitment
in the attack (may slow a little). It shows a shallow grip and/or a hectic active grip which should be
clearly fuller and calmer; it may regrip under the pressure from the Helper. The dog must still show
sufficient intensity and hardness. It releases after the allowed command (may be slightly slow out) and
shows still sufficient natural intensity in the guarding phases.

Rating: 2
The dog reacts with a clear hesitation, is unsure in its commitment to engage, the grip is hesitant, very
shallow, ineffective and weak. The dog is anxious and shows weakness during the pressure phase
(drive) from the helper. It releases after the allowed command (may be slightly slow out) but it should
be much more attentive and powerful in the guarding phases.

Rating: 1
Doesn‘t react to the helper’s threat, engage or guard.
Terminate (Discontinue) the Performance Test, TSB = Ng:
The dog cannot handle the stress of the defense exercise and does not engage or leaves the field.
The dog leaves the helper during the guarding phase before the handler is within 3 meters of the dog and
returns to the handler.

Disqualification (DQ):
Unable to show the heeling to the Attack on Handler after three (3) attempts
The handler “excites”, pumps up the dog prior to the release after being stopped by the judge one time.
The handler intentionally leaves their position and moves closer to the dog prior to the judges’ command
to pick up the dog
The dog doesn’t release (out) after three commands.
The dog grips anything or part of the helper other than the protective sleeve.
Any intentional unsportsmanlike action of the handler.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING DISCUSSION AND PROPOSED CHANGES BY
THE BAC FOR 2017 – 2019 SIEGER SHOW PERFORMANCE TEST (Please contact any member of
the BAC (RBW, NBW or DOJ) with suggestions regarding future changes or requirements)
2017 – After exercise #2 the “Attack on Dog out of Motion” (long grip, courage test) all dogs will be
required to be able to “free heel (off lead) five (5) paces from the helper to report out to the judge.
Failure to show free heeling away from the helper will be evaluated as sufficient (vh”) for this portion of
the Performance Test and receive a mandatory point score of 2 (vh) out of the 5 points available and will
not proceed to the stand and exam or ring.
2018 – After exercise #2 the “Attack on Dog out of Motion” (long grip, courage test) all dogs will be
required to be able to “free heel (off lead) five (5) paces from the helper to report out to the judge.
Failure to show free heeling away from the helper will be evaluated as insufficient (“ng) and be
disqualified (DQ) for the Performance Test
2019 – After exercise #1 the “Attack on Handler”(attack out of the blind) all dogs must be able to free
heel from the out down field to the watch position for exercise # 2 the “Attack on Dog out of Motion”
38
USCA Rules and Regulations Manual (7/2024)
(long grip, courage test) after the out they must be able to free heel five (5) paces from the helper.
Failure to show free heeling away from the helper will be evaluated as insufficient (“ng) and be
disqualified (DQ) for the Performance Test