OVERVIEW OF THE UDC BREED SURVEY

D-ZTP FFB AFFB

Protection trained dogs Untrained working dogs Protection trained dogs

BH required Working Title required BH required

FCI Standard Modified AKC Standard* Modified AKC Standard*

Attack on Handler Adult Temperament Test Attack on Handler

Courage Test Equivalent Courage Test

Entry requirements are identical.
All health testing requirements are identical.
Judging and judging procedures are identical.
The Temperament portion of the Breed Survey is identical.
Disqualifications under the FCI and AKC Standards are DIFFERENT.

* The modified AKC Standard allows only 2 missing teeth.

UDC BREED SURVEY

INTRODUCTION

This document shall be the official rule book for the conduct of all Breed Survey evaluation events (D-ZTP, FFB, AFFB) sanctioned by the United Doberman Club.

The purpose of the Breed Survey evaluations is to identify those Dobermans that are, according to goals of the UDC, suitable for breeding. This is a basic entry level evaluation intended to establish breed worthiness.

The UDC Breed Survey evaluation is not a trial-like competition but purely a means to evaluate dog’s natural drives and instincts. The participating dogs may be “trained and prepared” for the evaluations, they may have participated in different trials (Schutzhund etc.), or they may enter the evaluation without any specific pre-training.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Categories

There are three Breed Survey Categories:

1.1 D-ZTP

The D-ZTP shall be for trained dogs (i.e. Sport dogs as defined by the UDC Conformation rules, or dogs that have had some protection training). A BH is required for entry.

1.2 FFB

The FFB shall be for working dogs defined by the UDC conformation rules and regulations. (Guide and Assistance dogs, Therapy dogs, Obedience, Search and Rescue, Tracking, Agility. Fly ball is not considered a working title) Sport dogs may enter this evaluation.

1.3 AFFB

The AFFB shall be for trained dogs (i.e. Sport dogs as defined by the UDC Conformation Rules or dogs that have had some protection training). A BH is required for entry.

These Breed Survey Evaluations are not to be considered separate entities. Exhibitors should carefully consider which Breed Survey Evaluation would be best for their dog after consulting the rules.

The differences between each of the Categories are noted in the section on Evaluation Procedures.

A failure at any level of any of the three evaluations shall be considered a failure of the Breed Survey. That dog shall not be permitted to retake that evaluation or any of the other evaluations subsequently.

A dog that has successfully passed the FFB, may, take the D-ZTP or the AFFB, which includes bite work, because it permits a more intensive evaluation of the dog’s character. The FFB designation shall be relinquished when the dog is presented for the D-ZTP or the AFFB. The FFB designation will not be reinstated if the dog fails the D-ZTP or the AFFB.

2. Change of Category

If during the initial conformation examination, a dog taking the D-ZTP is found to have a disqualifying fault under the FCI Conformation Standard and not under the AKC/UDC Conformation Standard, the judge will inform the exhibitor that the dog is eligible to change categories at that time to the AFFB.

3. Use of a Breed Survey Designation

The use of any Breed Survey designation shall only be used after the owner receives the official certificate from the UDC Registrar. Owners may not advertise a Breed Survey as “pending UDC confirmation”.

A violation of this section is considered to be a violation of the UDC Code of Ethics, constituting false advertising.

4. Entry Requirements:

4.1 Age

All dogs entered in any Breed Survey Evaluation shall be at least 24 months of age on the day of the evaluation.

4 .2 Documentation and Proof of Titles

Copies of required working titles must be included with the entry forms.

All health testing must be completed before entry, and copies of the certificates must accompany the entry form.

Exception: Cardiac Testing may be done at the National Convention provided:

a. The results of that test or proof of testing are presented to the Secretary prior to the beginning of the Evaluation. If final results are not available on the day of the evaluation, they must be submitted and postmarked with in 6 months of the date of the health test or the Breed Survey is considered failed.

b. The cardiac test is entered and paid for at the time of entry to the Breed Survey. This must be noted on the entry form.

Cancellation of a Nationals Cardiac test will prevent a dog from taking the breed survey. Entries will be refunded, and the dog allowed to take a later Breed Survey.

4.3 Identification

All dogs shall have a means of permanent identification, either a legible tattoo and /or a microchip.

4.4 Registration

All dogs must be registered with the UDC.

5. Duration of Designation

The Breed Survey rating is applicable for the entire duration of a dog’s breeding life, unless revoked by the UDC Breed Survey Committee. This revocation shall be made in writing to the owner via a registered letter. No notification will be made for dogs who relinquish the FFB.

6. Out

The UDC requires that all dogs demonstrate at least one “Out” during the protection portion of the evaluation.

7. Number of Dogs

Breed Survey Evaluations may be run together on the same day. If less than 10 dogs are entered in all categories, the show giving club may cancel the evaluation and refund the entry fees, OR, they may elect to proceed with the evaluations. A maximum of 22 dogs shall be judged by any one judge on any one day.

8. Collars and Leashes

All dogs will be kept on appropriate collars and leashes for each portion of the evaluation. The handler can use any collar they prefer for the conformation evaluation phase. A heavy leash and wide leather or double-layer nylon collars and slip chain collars (double collared) will be used for the temperament phase.

Prong collars and electronic collars shall not be allowed.

7. Conduct

Exhibitors shall conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner at all times during these evaluations.

8. One handler per dog

There shall be one handler per dog throughout the evaluation. Any assistance that might be required in handling the dog will be at the discretion of the judge.

JUDGES AND JUDGING PROCEDURES

1. Application for an Event

Breed Surveys can be held if authorization from the UDC has been given, the event has been published, and deadlines adhered to. (See UDC Administration Manual for details) Breed Survey Evaluation date applications shall include the name and address of the evaluation giving club, the name and address of the evaluation Chair, the name and address of the Judge, the exact location and the starting time of the evaluation and the dead line for entries.

Breed surveys are independent events and cannot be held in conjunction with Conformation shows or Schutzhund trials.

2. Judges

The club will select the Judge and the helper. The name of the selected judge will be submitted to the UDC Judges Committee who will review the selection and recommend the choice to the UDC Board for approval.

The judge shall be named in the premium list. If there is a substitution of a judge, the exhibitor will be given the option of proceeding with the evaluation or a refund of the entry fees.

No dogs owned by the judge or his immediate family can participate in the evaluations judged by him.

The Breed Survey Judge is responsible for:

Determining the suitability of the general evaluation location and the location of the individual evaluation procedures.

Determining the suitability of the helper.

Determining which stewards are to help with each portion of the evaluation.

Determining whether the equipment provided is suitable.

Only the Judge, Apprentice Judges (including Judges College Participants), the Breed Survey Chair, the Group, Official Stewards and the helper will be allowed on the field during the judging of any entrant.

3. Breed Survey Chair

The Breed Survey Chair is responsible for:

The uninterrupted completion of the entire evaluation as well as the availability of the all equipment and personnel necessary for the evaluation.

Checking all documents and preparing the evaluation paperwork. He verifies that the helper has insurance.

Having sufficient stewards and people for the group.

Ensuring all dogs in the evaluation location are kept so as not to disturb the evaluation in any way. He is responsible for notifying exhibitors of the order of judging. He is responsible for checking all collars and leashes used by exhibitors at each stage of the evaluations.

Posting an approximate schedule.

Ensuring spectators remain off the evaluation field.

4. Judging Order

Dogs will be judged first, followed by Bitches. Bitches in season will be

evaluated last, after all other dogs have completed their evaluations.

5. Administrative Procedures

The judge shall enter his observations in the Breed Survey papers and they will be signed by the Breed Survey Chair and the judge.

After the conclusion of the evaluation, the results are to be given to each dog’s owner, co-owner or handler. A duplicate will be sent to the UDC Administrator of records within 3 days. A duplicate will be given to the presiding judge.

All financial matters shall be settled immediately.

Objections regarding formal errors must be brought to the attention of the Breed Survey Chair on the day of the evaluation. If resolution of the matter cannot be achieved, the matter shall be brought before the UDC Board of Directors for a decision. That decision shall be final.

Decisions of the judge, and his Character Classifications and Conformation Ratings shall be indisputable.

LOCATION AND EQUIPMENT

1. Location

Ideally the location will be at least 50 by 100 yards.

It will contain an area for spectators and a location where dogs may be kept quiet while waiting for their turns.

There will be a hiding place for the helper

The hiding place shall definitely be variable so that no pattern training of local dogs can be done. Cars, corners, recesses of walls, or tree and shrub groups can be selected for this purpose.

2. Equipment and Personnel

Breed Survey Chair

At least one steward

4 to 6 people for the group

A jogger

Schutzhund helper:

Equipped with bite pants, jacket, sleeve and padded stick (not too bendable).

The helper must carry insurance for this evaluation work.

A microchip scanner

A wicket and a hard level surface suitable for measuring

A spring loaded opening umbrella

A satchel or large plastic bucket with noisy objects inside

6mm starter pistol with black powder blanks

20 foot, non chewable, tie out line with a tie out stake

Heavy padded agitation collar and leash, metal choke collars

2 blinds or other suitable hiding places

Ground markings clearly visible to handler, judge and helper

A copy of the UDC Breed Manual

HEALTH TESTING REQUIREMENTS (All Categories)

Since many of the health testing requirements are at this time “test and tell,” all health testing results and the date of the tests should be published in any advertising where the Breed Survey Designation is used. It is recommended that dogs awarded a Breed Survey Designation keep their health testing current and use the results of the current tests in any advertising.

All health tests will be considered valid for 18 months from the date of the test.

Exceptions:

1. OFA and VWD are one-time tests valid from the time of the test for the life of the dog.

2. Dogs who have been diagnosed as hypothyroid need only provide a copy of that diagnostic panel. Dogs who have an eye defect need only provide that CERF report.

Test and Pass:

OFA hip certification: Certificate required

Test and Tell: Copies of certificates and reports are required.

VWD genetic test: Vet Gen, Genesearch up to September 2002

Thyroid Report: Complete panel by an OFA approved laboratory.

CERF exam

Echocardiogram: Must be done by a Board Certified Canine Cardiologist.

It is fully expected that as genetic health tests become available in the future these tests will be added to the Test and Pass requirements. Newly discovered health problems and tests may be added in the future.

Genetic faults deliberately concealed, or falsified health tests will result in the loss of the Breed Survey Designation.

BREED SURVEY EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Differences in the categories are noted under the headings D-ZTP, FFB, or AFFB in the text of the evaluations.

Conformation Rating

Prior to the start of the evaluation the judge will explain to the competitors the meaning and purpose of the evaluation, and the procedures involved.

The dog and handler report to the judge. In a conversation with the handler, the judge informs himself about the dog’s training, care and developmental history. He makes note of the dog’s general behavior at this time.

The dog enters the evaluation area. The Breed Survey Chair checks the dog’s identification, and confirms the authenticity of the pedigree.

The judge checks the teeth and testicles. The dog is measured. The behavior of the dog during the examination of the mouth is to be especially noted, since it may serve as an indication of certain temperament problems.

D-ZTP

The dog is evaluated according to the FCI Standard No, 143, February 14, 1994, Dobermann. (A translated copy is found in the UDC Breed manual)

FFB and AFFB

The dog is evaluated according to the Modified AKC Standard. (A copy is found in the UDC Breed Manual.) The modification allows no more than 2 missing teeth.

Disqualifications are noted under each of the standards. (See Change of Category)

Natural ears and undocked tails will not be penalized.

The dog is positioned for the conformation critique, after which the dog is gaited at the judge’s direction. Special attention should be paid to faults that would affect the dog’s working abilities, such as (but not limited to) weak muzzle, long weak backs, straight fronts etc.

The judge fills out the critique form and the dog is given a conformation rating at this time.

Minimum rating for Dogs shall be Very Good

Minimum rating for Bitches shall be Good.

Dogs who do not receive the minimum conformation rating will be excused from further evaluation at this time.

Temperament Evaluation (All Categories)

No formal obedience commands should be used, however handlers may talk to and encourage their dogs, throughout the Temperament Evaluation.

Group

Immediately following the conformation evaluation the judge will instruct the handler to take his dog out into the evaluation area on a loose lead, where he will encounter a loose group of 4 to 6 people walking toward him.

The dog and handler will proceed through the group during which an umbrella will be opened toward the dog and then raised over the person’s head in a natural manner. Another person in the group will have a satchel filled with noisy objects that will shake and make a fair amount of noise.

After proceeding 10 to 15 paces further the handler and dog will turn and return towards the group. The group will proceed in a loose manner toward the dog and handler and form a circle around them. The dog and handler will stop in the middle of the circle. During the stop in the group it is important that the group act as naturally as possible, talking, shaking hands, dropping things, opening the umbrella etc. It is important to show NO threat towards the dog.

This exercise is used to evaluate the dog’s self-confidence, fearlessness, temperament, obedience, and threshold of stimulation. The judge will continue this exercise as long as needed to assess the dog.

Gunshots

The dog and handler will proceed immediately down the field and two gunshots are fired from a distance of about 15 paces. Gun sensitivity is to be distinguished from gun-shyness. If the dog does display shyness the judge will press the dog with as many additional gunshots as needed to determine the dog’s soundness.

If the dog is determined to be gun-shy, the dog shall be dismissed at this point.

The dog and handler will proceed another 15 paces and a jogger will run diagonally across the path of the handler and dog.

Tie Out

The handler and the dog proceed immediately to the tie out location, which is to be freely accessible on all sides. The dog is fastened to a 20 ft. anchored line and the handler leaves the dog without using any obedience commands such as platz or down.

The handler goes out of sight, approximately 50 paces away.

After about 5 minutes, the judge approaches the dog in a neutral manner. He will walk past the dog at about 8 steps distance. He will re-approach the dog to within 2 to 3 steps distance. If the dog seems friendly, he may pet the dog. If the dog seems nervous he may crowd the dog a little. He may drop a Clipboard or book near the dog.

Particular attention to the behavior of the dog in the absence of his handler is noted.

A dog may also choose to protect his place and this is also permissible. A dog should not back off or shy away from the judge. If the dog does display shyness the judge will press the dog to determine the dog’s soundness

If the dog shows shyness the dog will be dismissed at this time.

The judge will tell the handler to pick up his dog.

Protection Instincts Evaluation

FFB

The dog will wear a strong leather agitation collar, with a strong 6-foot line attached

Attack on Handler

No actual bite work is required for the FFB.

On direction from the judge, the handler will walk with his dog towards the hiding place. When the dog is about 15 feet away, the judge orders the helper to attack the dog/handler team from the front. The threat is directed toward the handler. The dog will attempt to thwart the attack by going out to the end of the line and aggressively trying to drive off the attacker. The helper may make verbal and physical threats. The handler may verbally encourage his dog.

The judge orders the helper to stop his attack. The dog should “Out” on command, defined as coming back to a neutral position, (some help from the handler is permitted).

End of the FFB evaluation.

AFFB and D-ZTP

Attack out of the blind

Dog /Handler Helper Action

The judge will direct the handler to walk The helper waits quietly out of

his dog, on leash, toward the blind or sight. He must be able to see the

hiding place. judge or hear his directions

At approximately 12 feet a line will be

marked on the ground. When the dog and

handler reach this point, the judge will

direct the helper to come out of the hiding He comes out immediately when

place and attack the handler and the dog directed by the judge and attacks

from the front. towards the handler. No intimidating sounds are made at

this point.

The handler must immediately release the

dog. The handler remains at the line or

release spot until directed otherwise by the

judge.

The dog should go immediately to the The helper catches the dog on the helper and grip the sleeve and continue to sleeve.

grip the sleeve while being driven. To pass

the dog must show his protective instincts The helper drives the dog. While and protect his handler by committing to a driving the dog, the helper will

firm, calm bite. make vocal threats, and physical threats with the stick. The dog

does not receive any stick hits.

The dog shall not be penalized for biting

the helper in locations other than the arm.

If the dog does not grip the sleeve in the

first place or if the dog should come off the

sleeve during the drive or due to vocal or

physical threats……………...........................The helper must continue to press the

dog until directed by the judge to

stop

If the dog fails to re-grip, the judge stops the

evaluation at this point.

If the dog reengages in the combat the The helper continues to drive the

evaluation continues. dog until directed by the judge to

stop.

The helper stops the attack at the direction of the judge.

The handler commands the dog to out at

the direction of the judge. The dog must

out on command, without being touched by

the handler. An automatic out is allowed.

The handler may give three separate

commands to the dog for the out. The first

two of these commands should be from a

distance, the third command may be up close.

After the out the dog should stay with the

helper until the judge tells the handler to

pick up his dog.

If the dog does not out, the dog is given the

prey (the sleeve) only after the handler has

picked up the leash.........................................The helper releases the sleeve on the

direction of the judge.

The dog must release the sleeve.

Then the handler and dog proceed to the The helper proceeds to the

blind, and wait until the helper has hidden designated hiding place

in the designated hiding spot. The judge approximately 50 paces down the

directs the handler to the starting point for field.

the Courage Test.

Courage Test

Dog/Handler Helper Action

Dog and handler wait at the starting point.

The dog is off leash and the handler holds

the dog firmly by the collar. At the

instruction of the judge the handler calls the The helper comes out of the hiding

helper out of the hiding place. place.

The helper runs towards the handler

and dog.

The Judge directs the handler to release

the dog.

The dog engages in combat by gripping the The helper catches the dog. He

sleeve. It must hold on while being driven drives the dog 5 to 10 paces and

5 to 10 paces. The handler may at his threatens verbally and physically

discretion encourage the dog verbally. without hitting it with the stick.

If the dog does not grip the sleeve in the

first place, or if the dog should come off

during the drive or due to vocal or physical

threats…………………………....................The helper must continue to drive the

dog until directed by the judge to

stop.

If the dog fails to regrip the judge will stop

the evaluation at this point.

If the dog reengages in the combat, the The helper must continue to drive

evaluation continues. the dog until directed by the judge to stop.

The helper stops the attack at the direction of the judge.

Upon order from the judge, the handler

shall out his dog and place him back on

leash.

If there is no out, procedures are the same as under the attack out of the blind.

There is no formal disarm or transport.

This is the end of the D-ZTP and AFFB evaluations.

Out

The dog need “Out” only once during the evaluation to pass. If there is no “Out” on the Attack Out of the Blind and if there is no “Out” on the Courage Test, a dog who is otherwise suitable for breeding will be rated “Held Back.”

RATINGS AND CHARACTER CLASSIFICATIONS

Conformation Ratings

There are five possible conformation ratings:

1. Excellent

2. Very Good

3. Good

4. Satisfactory

5. Insufficient

Determination and Announcement of Breed Survey Ratings;

If the Breed Survey is held the day before a conformation show with the same judge, and the same dog is entered in both events, the Breed Survey Rating will be announced on the day of the conformation show.

Character Classification

There are four possible character classifications:

1. 1A

Dogs who are overall correct. A 1A can only be awarded to a dog who gives a completely sure and correct impression in the static as well as the fighting periods of the evaluation.

2. 1B

Dogs who are overall sufficient. A 1B will be awarded to a dog who performs acceptably in the Conformation and Temperament portions of the evaluation and shows some protective and fighting drives.

3. Held Back

Dogs must be Held Back if there is sufficient doubt about the dog’s behavior as it relates to soundness of temperament and suitability for the breed.

A dog rated Held Back cannot be shown to another Breed Survey judge until the expiration of a three month waiting period.

A dog can only be rated Held Back one time. Dogs who do not pass the Breed Survey the second time they are judged cannot be entered again.

UDC BREED SURVEY

INTRODUCTION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Dog/Handler Helper Action

Dated: February 23, 2003