Tattoos and Microchips - Although it is not written in the USA conformation show, breed survey, or Sieger Show rules, dogs entered in USA conformation shows and/or breed surveys must have a tattoo. This is an SV rule that USA has followed since first hosting breed events in the 1980's. That being said, this past February the USA Executive Board passed the following:

E-Ballot #4-07 (Microchip Identification Acceptance) Motion by Nathaniel Roque to accept microchips and/or tattoos as identification for German Shepherd Dogs registered with the USA Breed Registry. Registration in the USA/SV Breed Registry will still require a tattoo to meet SV requirements. Microchips must be identified by a veterinarian, USA tattooer, USA breed warden, or USA-recognized judge and documented on a Tattoo/Microchip Identification Form for submittal to the USA Office. The USA Office will record the microchip number on the dog's scorebook and USA Registration. It is the responsibility of handlers/owners using microchips to identify their dogs for entry in a USA event to insure there is an appropriate microchip reader available at the event. It is not the responsibility of the event host to provide a reader. Handlers/owners declaring for an international team must comply with the international competition requirements in effect at the time of the event. Vote: Yes-20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Randall Hoadley, Sara Wallick, Bill Plumb, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Terry Macias, Howie Rodriguez, Nathaniel Roque, Bill Bimrose, Pia Blackwell, Uwe Doose, Jerrold Gray, Steve Cobb, Vicki Keller, Randy Kromer, Lynne Lewis, John Oliver, Peggy Park), NFD-1 (Mark Scarberry). Motion carried 2/4/07.

Notice that this microchip allowance only applies to dogs registered with the USA Registry, not the dual USA/SV Registry or any other registry. And the owner/handler of the microchipped dog must bring their own scanner to the event which the dog has entered.

Note: Remember that current USA membership is required for US residents entering a dog.

Sieger Show Regulations ~ Effective Sieger Show 2007

I. GENERAL

The USA Sieger Show is a three-day event. Entry is limited to German Shepherd Dogs listed in the USA Breed Registry or other FCI/WUSV recognized breed registries. All dogs shown in classes 12 months and older must be registered with USA when owned by a resident of the United States. A Breed Survey is not provided.

These Sieger Show rules are based on USA's breed show regulations, which are also binding unless otherwise stated here.

Entrants are advised that they must submit the original, proper pedigree and registration papers of the dog during check-in, as well as proof of training titles, breed survey papers, and hip certification, if applicable or awarded. Acceptable training titles are SchH, IPO, DPO, HGH, and others deemed acceptable by the Breed Advisory Committee.

Dogs brought to the show must provide proof of proper vaccinations required by law. Not acceptable are dogs which seem to be not healthy. Dogs that are not entered in the show cannot be brought to the show grounds.

Should a dog entered in classes 12 months and older become sick after the stand exam, it must be brought 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 damages to any dogs, damages caused by any dogs, 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 payable.

The exhibitor is responsible for sportsmanlike behavior and presentation. The exhibitor is also responsible for truthful statements about his dog. Violations lead to disqualification of the dog, expulsion from the show grounds and/or the initiation of a disciplinary procedure.

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II. CLASSES AND SCHEDULE

The dogs will be judged in six classes:

*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).

The above classes will be judged on the first day of the event.

*Youth classes (12-18 months) --- ratings awarded are: Very good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), and Insufficient (M).

*Young dog classes (18-24 months) --- ratings awarded are: Very good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), and Insufficient (M).

The above classes will be judged on the second day of the event, following the Performance Evaluations of the Working Dog Classes.

*Working dog classes (over 24 months with working title) --- ratings awarded are: Excellent - Select (VA), Excellent (V), Very Good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), and Insufficient (M).

The above classes will be judged in the performance evaluation on the second day of the event before the Youth Classes and Young Dog Classes. Immediately after the performance test all dogs that receive the evaluation "pronounced" will then be judged in the standing examination. Judging will continue on the third day of the event after the judging of the Progeny Groups. Kennel Groups will be judged after the completion of the Working Dog Classes and before the final ceremonies.

The judging in each class starts with the stand exam. The judge carefully studies the anatomy and character of the dogs. During the entire competition 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 Excellent-Select (VA), the dog must possess at least a SchH2 Degree, the "a" Stamp or OFA Certification and be currently Breed Surveyed in Class 1. The dog must come from a survey and performance breeding. To be eligible to repeat the Excellent-Select rating, the dog must possess a SchH3 Degree.

To be eligible for the rating of Excellent (V), dogs must possess the "a" Stamp or OFA Certification and when over three and one-half years of age, must be currently Breed Surveyed.

The age of the dog for determining the proper class and other requirements shall be its age on the first day of the dog's exhibition.

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 most possible uniformity, the most possible combinations of parents, and the quality of the individual dogs in each group are the basis for the judging of the Kennel Groups.

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 Groups 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 breedings 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.

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III. PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION TEST

All dogs of the Working Dog Classes must participate in the Sieger Show Performance Test. There will be two (2) helpers; one for the "attack on handler" and one for the "pursuit and courage test".

The dog has three (3) tries to perform the free heeling exercise to the attack on handler and must reach a predetermined distance from the blind (20 feet) to pass. The actual attack will commence when the dog is between 10 to 15 feet from the blind. The distance from the starting point of heeling to the blind will be 60 feet.

The judge will evaluate the grip work as it is described in USA's Schutzhund 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 grip work shall be evaluated as "sufficient" in courage.

The "out" should show the dog clearly off the sleeve and in the guarding phase. The only command permitted is one word for the out such as: out, aus, or any other single command of out. The commands of sit or down to affect the out are not permitted here. The dog, however, may sit, down or stand upon the out command, but may not bother the helper. The sit or down may be reinforced at a distance of 10 (ten) feet, if necessary as the handler approaches the dog.

The handler should, after the attack, leash their dog without physical restraint (such as, grabbing the dog to prevent re-grip). The dog may receive an extra command to out to put the leash on the dog with no penalty, however, the dog that must be physically restrained or taken off of the sleeve physically will be disqualified. Once the dog is secured on lead, this exercise is over.

On the pursuit or the long grip, the handler may encourage the dog while holding them by the collar at the basic position to initiate the release as the helper proceeds to the middle of the field to start the exercise. The handler will release the dog upon a signal from the judge. The grip work and the out will be evaluated the same as in the attack on handler.

Evaluation of the performance test:

1. Dogs that do not demonstrate a correct performance test cannot receive the rating of Excellent-Select (VA).

2. Dogs that continue to bump or re-grip after the "out" will be placed at the end of whatever conformation rating they would achieve.

3. Dogs that do not perform the free heeling exercise within three (3) attempts, or dogs that do not perform the "out" exercise, or dogs that receive the evaluation of "sufficient" or "insufficient" cannot continue in the competition of the show. No rating is given.

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