USRC Breed Standard Certification
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Download a printable version of the USRC Breed Standard Certification Regulations (.pdf document)Purpose
The purpose of the USRC Breed Standard Certification is to determine if a Rottweiler conforms to the current FCI Standard for the Rottweiler in breed type and temperament and is free of disqualifying faults. The certified dog must be free of conformation faults in accordance with the standard, be of sound temperament, and be trainable, obedient and eager to work and must possess breedable hip, elbow and cardiac certifications. Dogs without appropriate health certifications will be designated as Conforms to the breed standard but are not designated as breedable.
Evaluation and Results
- The results of a Breed Standard Certification are: Certified – Breedable, Conforms to the breed standard, Held Back– may retest (with explanation), Disqualified – Not breedable (with explanation) or Excused (with explanation). Dogs that are disqualified may not be bred.
- Evaluation of the dog’s overall character will occur throughout the entire test. If the judge observes unsatisfactory temperament or behavior at any point during the test, the judge may require repetitions or variances of elements to this purpose. When evaluating any unsatisfactory temperament or behavior during the certification elements, the judge must consider if the issue is a training error or if the dog is showing incorrect temperament or behavior. If the judge feels the issue is a training error, the dog may be held back. If the judge feels the dog is showing incorrect temperament or behavior, the dog may be disqualified. The judge’s decision is final.
- Dogs that show insecurity, nervous, fearful or aggressive behavior during any of the certification elements will receive an Insufficient rating for that element and the dog may not continue further with the qualification. Dogs that receive an Insufficient rating in any element will be held back or disqualified from further tests, depending on the reason for the Insufficient rating.
- Excusal – Should the judge notice unsportsmanlike conduct from the handler, lack of control of the dog, a lame or sick appearing dog, offenses against the test regulations, offenses against local animal protection laws then the team is to be excused from the remainder of the test.
Section 3: Entry Eligibility
- Only dogs that appear healthy may be exhibited.
- The minimum age for entry for the Breed Standard Certification is 15 months of age.
- The dog must have a USRC recognized registration
- The dog must be tattooed or microchipped
- Bitches in season may participate; provided they are kept apart from the rest of the participants and they must be presented last.
- Pregnant or nursing females are not permitted to participate.
- Spayed bitches may be presented for certification. Neutered males may be presented provided the dog has received a show critique from a USRC show as evidence that the dog’s testicles were present prior to neutering.
- Dog may only be presented once per scheduled certification. There is no waiting period between attempts for dogs that are held back or excused.
Section 4: Requirements
- A Handler may present up to 3 dogs for qualification in one day
- Owners of dogs that are microchipped are responsible for providing the necessary equipment for the verification of the microchip.
- Motivational items may be used during the measurement and critique portion of the test (i.e. food, toys, etc) but may not be used during the obedience or traffic portion of the test.
- The dog must wear a collar and the handler must carry a lead at all times during the test.
- The dog must allow itself to be approached and touched by the judge. At any time during the test, at the discretion of the judge, the dog may be approached and/or touched by the judge.
- The gunfire will be from a 6mm 22 caliber blank pistol. In evaluating any reaction to the gunfire, the judge must consider if the reaction is a training error or if the dog shows shyness to the gunfire. In doubtful cases, the judge is obligated to repeat the gunfire in order assess the dog’s gunshot indifference. If the dog proves to be gun shy, the dog will be immediately disqualified.
- A dog possessing a BH, achieved at an AWDF member club is exempt from the obedience and impartiality elements of the test however the dog must demonstrate indifference to gunfire while heeling forward 25 paces. A dog possessing an IPO title, achieved at an AWDF member club is exempt all obedience and impartiality elements of the test.
Section 5: Certification Elements
- The dog’s tattoo or microchip number will be verified. This is an essential part of the test and the dog must allow itself to be touched by the judge. The possible ratings for this element will be Verified, Insufficient - tattoo not legible/microchip not found or Insufficient - Dog cannot be touched, unable to verify positive identification.
- Measurements of the dog’s height, body length, and muzzle length will be taken and recorded as well as the eye color and dentition. The possible ratings for this element are Sufficient - No Disqualifying Faults or Insufficient - disqualifying fault present
- A complete written critique and rating of the dog as evaluated in accordance with the breed standard. The possible ratings for this element are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory or Insufficient.
- Obedience– On or off leash (handler’s choice). From a basic position of the dog sitting in heel position next to the handler, the dog and handler heel forward in a straight line for a minimum of 25 paces, with two gunshots fired when the dog and handler has walked a distance of 15 paces, followed by an about turn, (handlers option for right, left or IPO style about turn), a minimum of 10 paces, a right turn, a minimum of 10 paces, a left turn, a minimum of 10 paces and come to a halt with the dog in a sit in heel position. With the dog in a sit, the handler will step away from the dog a minimum of 6 feet, turn to face the dog, pause and then return to the dog. The handler will then command the dog to a down position. With the dog in a down position the handler will step away from the dog a minimum of 6 feet, turn to face the dog, pause and then return to the dog. Light verbal praise as well as additional commands are permitted. Excessive praise or excessive additional commands are to be penalized and reflected in the rating. The possible ratings for this element are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Insufficient, or BH - if the dog possesses a BH. An Excellent rating may only be obtained with the dog off leash, the highest rating allowed for on leash work is Very Good.
- Impartiality – A maximum of 4 dogs should be tested in this element at a time and the dog/handler teams may be divided into groups to accommodate handlers with multiple dogs. The dogs may be under obedience from the handler for the duration of this element. The handlers and their dogs will form a single line and walk with no more than fifteen feet between each dog and handler team. The dog must follow its handler willingly on leash. In a line, the dog and handler teams will pass through a milling group of 5-8 people, and be passed by a jogger. One at a time, the dog and handler team will be approached by a pedestrian. The pedestrian will stop and greet the dog handler with a handshake and engage in a short conversation. The handler may command their dog to sit or lie down during the greeting. After the greeting, the dog and handler team will go to the end of the line. The dogs should remain impartial to the encounters as well as the other dogs in the line. Friendly, outgoing, animated or good-natured behavior towards the judge, group or pedestrian is not faulty, so long as the dog remains under the control of the handler. Should a dog have an unsteady, but not aggressive or overexcited reaction to any of the encounters or to the other dogs, the judge may vary the test slightly or repeat the test in order to further evaluate the dog's temperament. The possible ratings for this element are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Insufficient, or BH - if the dog possesses a BH