Show Rules

National Show Rules

National Show Rules

I. GENERAL
Show rules are based on USCA Breed Show Regulations, which are binding unless otherwise stated herein.
Entrants are advised that they must submit the following original documents: pedigree and registration papers
from the country of origin upon registration check-in for the dog being entered into the show as well as proof
of training titles, breed survey, and hip/elbow certification, if applicable or awarded. Acceptable training titles
are IPO, IGP, RH 2b, DPO, HGH, and others deemed acceptable by the Breed Advisory Committee. Dogs
brought to the show must provide proof of proper vaccination, this is required by law.
Not acceptable for entry into the show are dogs that seem to be unhealthy or have an unhealthy appearance.
Dogs not entered in the show cannot be brought into/onto the show grounds.
Should a dog entered in classes 12-months and older become sick after the Stand Exam, the dog must be
presented to the show veterinarian for examination. A written note from the show veterinarian is required for
withdrawal from the show. Without exception, this written note is to be delivered to the presiding judge of the
appropriate class. Dogs that are withdrawn from the show without explicit permission of the presiding judge
must be given the rating of insufficient.
Participants must be alert to prevent their dogs from coming into contact with other dogs. The show organizer
is not responsible for injury/damage to any dogs, damages caused by another dog and/or in the event of the
theft of any dog. A judge’s decision at a breed show is final. A protest is not permitted. For dogs entered and
not presented, the full entry fee is non-refundable. The exhibitor is responsible for sportsmanlike behavior and
presentation. The exhibitor is also responsible for truthful statements about his/her dog. Violations lead to
disqualification of the dog, expulsion from the show grounds and/or the initiation of a disciplinary procedure.

II. CLASSES AND SCHEDULE

The dogs will be judged in the following classes:

These classes will be judged on the first day of the event:
Baby Puppy Class (4-6 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very Promising (VP), Promising (P), Less Promising
(LP)
Junior Puppy Class (6-9 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very Promising (VP), Promising (P), Less Promising
(LP)
Senior Puppy Class (9-12 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very Promising (VP), Promising (P), Less Promising
(LP)
Adult Untitled Class (24+ months without working title) – Ratings awarded are: Very Good (SG), Good (G),
Sufficient (A), Insufficient (M)
Veteran Classes (over the age 6+ years) – Rating is not awarded, just a placing

These classes will be judged on the second day of the event:
Youth Dog HGH Class (12-18 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A),
Insufficient (M)
Youth Dog Class (12-18 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), Insufficient
(M)
Young Dog HGH Class (18-24 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A),
Insufficient (M)
Young Dog Class (18-24 months) – Ratings awarded are: Very good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), Insufficient
(M)

These classes will be judged on the third day of the event:

Progeny Groups
HGH Working Dog Class (over 24 months with HGH title) – Ratings awarded are: Excellent (V), Very Good
(SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), Insufficient (M)

RH 1, RH 2a Class (24+ months with RH 1, RH 2a title) – Ratings awarded are: Very Good (SG), Good (G),
Sufficient (A), Insufficient (M)
Working Dog Class (over 24 months with working title, including RH 2b) – Ratings awarded are: Excellent
(V), Very Good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), Insufficient (M).
Kennel Groups

The judging in each class starts with the Stand Exam. The judge carefully studies the anatomy, structure, and
character of the dog. The character of the dog is tested and the judge will always observe the dog in this respect.
There will be a test for Gun sensitivity steadiness in the rings. Puppy Classes are excluded from this test. Once
this judging has been completed, the dogs will be required to start gaiting. The function of the bones and
muscles, firmness of the ligaments and joints, rhythm of movement, strength and endurance, as well as liveliness
are now very carefully evaluated.

To be eligible for the rating of V (Excellent), dogs must possess the “a” Stamp or OFA Certification (if born
after October 1, 2021) for hip & elbows, when over the age of three and one-half years, the dog must have a
current Breed Survey. The age of the dog for determining the proper class placement will be determined by the
age of the dog when it is presented before the judge (meaning the day the dog steps into the ring).

Kennel Group
Each Kennel Group must have no more and no less than (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. 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.

Maternal Family Class
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

Progeny Group
Each Progeny Group requires a minimum of at least six (6) dogs. Dogs exhibited in the Progeny Class must
also be entered and shown in a regular class. There is no entry fee for this class. The judging of the Progeny
Group shows the quality of the progeny produced by the often-used stud dogs. It also shows which positive
and negative factors may have been inherited by their offspring and what to look for in the future breeding’s
of these dogs. Therefore, it is required to show all dogs belonging to the Progeny Group. It is not necessary
that the stud dog be shown in the class. The Kennel Groups and Progeny Groups will be judged before the
judging of the gaiting of the Working Dog Classes.

Explanation of Conformation Assessments and Ratings:
Puppy Classes: The following assessments are made. The assessments cannot be interpreted as an evaluation
of breeding worth.
VP (very promising): Animals conforming fully to the breed standard or have minimal anatomical
shortcomings.
P (promising): Animals conforming to the standard but presenting clearly recognizable anatomical and
developmental shortcomings.
LP (less promising): Animals who are not outgoing enough or have faults which make them unfit for breeding.

Adult Dog Classes: The following ratings can be issued.

V (excellent): 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, whose pedigree reflects proof
of the “a” stamp or OFA certification and when more than 3–1/2 years old, must contain a current breed
survey. Double premolars #1 are allowed. OFA not accepted after October 1, 2021.
SG (very good): Highest rating given in the Youth and Young Dog Classes for animals who fully conform to
the breed standard. In the Working 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.
G (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 pre- molar #2 and one missing premolar #1, or 2 missing
premolars #2.
A (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 awarding
of a higher rating. M (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.
M (insufficient): mandates issuance of a “Unavailable for Progeny Registration” notation which must be
requested by the breed judge.

Explanation of the hip ratings:
a1 = “a” normal, OFA (E) = OFA excellent, a2 = “a” fast normal, OFA (G) = OFA good, a3 = “a” noch
zugelassen, OFA (F) = OFA fair, a6 = foreign certification

Explanation of Entry Information:
An * before a dog’s name means that the dog is breed surveyed. Dog’s registered name, date of birth, (age in
years, months) USCA registration, additional registration, tattoo, micro-chip, working titles, breed survey rating,
hip certification, (sire’s name, sire’s registration, sire’s working titles, dam’s name, dam’s registration, dam’s
working titles. B: breeder’s name and country of origin, O: owner’s name, country of origin, Co–O: co– owner’s
name.

III. ADDENDUM
Officiating Judges are not allowed to judge any dog(s) at a Breed Show which they have owned, co-owned or
those which have been in their possession at any time in the past 12-months (the date of notification of the
transfer of ownership shall be decisive in cases of possession). Nor will they be able to judge those dogs which
have been bred by them, as well as any dogs owned or co-owned by, or in the possession of, close relatives (1st
and 2nd degree). For this purpose, the term “close relatives” also refers to life partnerships, groups of owners
and shared households. In this respect, please note that, as of immediately, any dogs which fulfill the criteria
mentioned may not be judged by the Judge of the respective class at a Breed Show.

USCA Universal Sieger Rules

I.                USCA UNIVERSAL SIEGER AND SIEGERIN REGULATIONS

 

This program has been designed to promote the German Shepherd Dog breeding in the United States of America, addressing both physical qualities as well as character attributes as the foundation of the true German Shepherd Dog. These regulations have been submitted by the Breed Advisory Committee and have been approved by the Executive Board at the meeting in Bangor, Maine.

  1. The United Schutzhund Clubs of America will recognize and award a “USCA Universal Sieger and Universal Siegerin (year)” as a title for German Shepherd
  2. All German Shepherd Dogs owned by a resident of the United States of America who are members in good standing of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America are eligible to receive this title under the following conditions:
    • The Dog must have a WUSV recognized pedigree
    • The Dog must be breed surveyed
    • The dog must be shown in the USCA GSD National Championship and at the USCA Universal Working Class Conformation Show to be held in conjunction with the USCA GSD National Championships in the same calendar year.
    • USCA Universal Working Class Conformation Show to be judged by a USCA Conformation Judge
    • The dog must be pronounced and at least G at the USCA Universal Working Class Conformation Show
    • The dog must be pronounced with a minimum of 80 points in protection and at least G score overall at the USCA GSD National Championship
  1. The dog receiving the highest lowest number of points combined in both events will be declared as the USCA Universal Sieger and Siegerin (year).
  1. The following points will be awarded for Health, USCA Universal Working Class Conformation Show, USCA GSD National Championship (sections A-G):

Maximum points to be obtained are 600 (100 for health, 200 for conformation, 300 for nationals performance).

Only dogs can take part in the show ranking who made at least 70 points in sections A, B, D, & E and 80 points in section C. 

  1. Nationals Performance
  • Tracking Phase
    • Points earned between 70-100
  1. Nationals Performance
  • Obedience Phase
    • Points earned between 70-100
  1. Nationals Performance
  • Protection Phase
    • Points earned between 80-100
    • Must earn minimum 80 pts in protection
  1. Health
  • The results of the HD and ED diagnostics (only accepted from SV recognized evaluation offices) shall be included in the rating list.
    • HD: A / ED: A = 100 Points
    • HD: A / ED: B or HD: B /ED: A = 95 Points
    • HD: B / ED: B = 90 Points
    • HD: A / ED: C or HD: C /ED: A = 80 Points
    • HD: B / ED: C or HD: C /ED: B = 75 Points
    • HD: C / ED: C = 70 Points
  • a-normal = A, fast-normal = B, Noch Zugelassen = C
  • Dogs who obtained worse results are not permitted.
  1. Conformation Rating
  • The show section shall be rated according to the classes and be divided by MALES and FEMALES. Both hair varieties are presented and rated in their respective classes. The breed show is held according the requirements of the GHKL working dog classes (WUSV Breeding Program).
  • The class winner shall be awarded 100 Points, the second winner 98 Points, etc. (with a downgrading of two points for each of the next following ranking).
  1. Conformation Rating
  • In addition, breed valuations are offered. The ranking is carried out as follows:
    • Excellent/ Vorzüglich = 100 Points
    • Very good/ Sehr gut = 90 Points
    • Good/ Gut = 80 Points
    • Sufficient/ Genügend = 70 Points
    • Insufficient/ Ungenügend = 60 Points
    • Unsatisfactory = 50 Points Disqualifcation
  • Only dogs can take part in the show ranking who made at least 70 points in sections A to E and 80 points in section C.
  • American Bred Dogs
  • Those dogs bred in America will have 5 points added to their total earned in sections A-F

If there is a tie breaker necessary, the points received from the performance in the GSD National Championship will dominate the other points. If an additional tie breaker is necessary, the points received from C. Nationals Performance (protection phase) will dominate.  If an additional tie breaker is necessary, the points received from B. Nationals Performance (obedience phase) will dominate.  If an additional tie breaker is necessary, the points received from A. Nationals (tracking phase) will dominate.  If an additional tie breaker is necessary, the points received from D. Health will dominate. If an additional tie breaker is necessary, the points received from F. Conformation Rating, show rating will dominate.

  1. The Universal Sieger and Siegerin (year) are important titles for our breeding goals and will therefore be recognized within the first two generations in the pedigrees of any progeny bred under the breeding rules of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America.
  1. The Universal Sieger and Universal Siegerin will be recognized on the front cover of the USCA magazine within the following year of winning the award.
  1. The Universal Sieger and Universal Siegerin will receive a trophy award immediately following the declaration.
  1. The breeder and or the owner of the Universal Sieger and Universal Siegerin will receive an award certificate immediately following the declaration.

 

II.             WUSV Universal Sieger Team Selection

The USCA will have a combined team with GSDCA. USCA and GSDCA will alternate Team Captains yearly. If there is a WUSV team of five members, the organization that has the Team Captain will send two members and an alternate, the organization without the team captain will send three members. One of the dogs must be a bitch on the combined team. If the WUSV has six members then each organization will send three members and the captain will be alternated year to year. In the event one organization does not send its allotted quota of team members the other organization may make up the difference to make a full team.

First Qualifier

The Universal Sieger and Siegerin are automatic qualifiers for the WUSV Universal Sieger Team. A female dog must represent the Team if possible.  If for any reason, the Universal Siegerin cannot represent the Team, the next available female must be selected.

Second Qualifier

Any additional Team members and alternates will be selected using the following process. The dog and handler team must participate in the current year’s USCA GSD Nationals and USCA Universal Working Class Conformation Show (held in conjunction with the current year’s Nationals). The dog and handler teams will be ranked according to the above method in section I., items A-G.

Final Qualifier

If there are no additional Team members and alternate selections available after First and Second Qualifiers, the remaining Team members and alternates will be selected using the following process, Team members and alternates will be chosen in the following numerical order until Team is filled.

  1. The dog and handler team must participate in the current year’s USCA Working Dog Championship (WDC) and the USCA Sieger Show or USCA National Show. Any additional dog and handler teams will be ranked according to the above method in section I., items A-G.
  2. The dog and handler team must participate in the current year’s USCA Working Dog Championship (WDC) and a USCA Regional Conformation Show. Any additional dog and handler teams will be ranked according to the above method in section I., items A-G.
  3. The dog and handler team must participate in the current year’s USCA Working Dog Championship (WDC) and a USCA Club level Conformation Show. Any additional dog and handler teams will be ranked according to the above method in section I., items A-G.

All Team Members must meet the minimum qualifications as established by the WUSV for entry into the World Universal Sieger competition. i.e. the dog must be Pronounced with a minimum of 80 points in protection at the USCA GSD National, receive minimum show rating of a G with Pronounced Performance rating at the Sieger Show. All dogs declaring for the WUSV Universal Sieger Team must have SV recognized hip and elbow certification for entry, OFA hips are no longer accepted by the WUSV for entry. A list of accepted hip and elbow certifications is on the USCA website and on file with the USCA office.

In the event the WUSV allows long stock coats into the WUSV Universal Sieger Championship and USCA has long stock coat entries for the Universal Sieger team, USCA will combine the stock coat and long stock coat dogs into one show class for the selection process.

REVISION HISTORY: 

05/06/98 Universal Sieger Regulations approved.

11/03/05 The dog must be pronounced and at least SG at the Sieger Show.

11/03/05 The dog must be pronounced and at least G at the GSD National Championship.

12/11/17 EB Ballot #19-16 Update USCA Compliance with WUSV Sieger Competition Rules (Section II)

03/18/2019 EB Ballot 10-19 proposed changed by Heidi Theis, NBW to align document with new IGP titles and universal sieger team selection process with move of Sieger & National Shows to fall.

2/2022 EB ballot 7-22 proposed changed by Heidi Theis, NBW to align our procedure to WUSV universal competition procedure.