USRC Breed Test Information

USRC Breed Test Entry Information For Exhibitors

(September 2014)

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Download a printable version of the USRC Breed Test Regulations (.pdf document)

USRC Breed Test Entry – All Breed Tests

Rottweilers with a valid USRC recognized registration (from AKC, CKC, USRC, or any FCI member Kennel Club) may participate in USRC breed tests. Dogs with Restricted USRC Registrations or AKC Limited Registrations may not enter a USRC breed test.
The dog must be registered with USRC prior to the entry closing date.
The dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
The owner and the handler of the dog must be USRC members.
The dog must have a weight certificate (if requested by the host club) dated within 30 days of the test date.
Copies of USRC membership cards for owners and handlers, copies of the entered dog's USRC registration and health certificates must be submitted with the dog’s entry. A copy of the entered dog’s USRC Registration Certificate will be accepted as proof of titles and health certifications provided all required information is on the Registration Certificate.
Copies of USRC membership cards for owners and handlers, and the entered dog's original USRC registration and health certificates must presented to the secretary upon check in. The original USRC Registration Certificate will be accepted as proof of titles and health certifications provided all required information is on the Registration Certificate.
The dog must have a USRC recognized hip rating and must be rated as OFA excellent, good, or fair, ADRK HD-, HD +/-, HD_, or FCI HD A or B
The dog must must have a USRC recognized elbow rating and the elbows must be rated as OFA Normal, Grade I or Grade II, ADRK ED Free, ED+/-, ED+ or FCI ED 0 or ED 1.
The dog must must have an OFA normal cardiac certificate
The dog must have an OFA JLPP certificate
The only collar allowed is a fur saver.
Two helpers must be used in the Körung. All helpers must work all dogs in an equal manner.
The padded stick hits should be moderate.
All dogs entered for a breed survey at an event must be worked on the same trial sleeve.
The sleeve should be broken in but not mutilated.
Helpers may not be the helper for any dog he/she owns, co-owns or lives with.

General Information

The current FCI Standard for the Rottweiler will be used for judging.
Males shall be judged first, followed by females with females in season last.
If a dog fails the character or protection phase of the ZTP two more attempts may be made. If the dog does not pass the ZTP on the third attempt, it will be deemed unbreedable. No further attempts will be allowed.If a dog does not pass an ABST on the initial attempt one more attempt may be made.
If a dog does not pass an LBST on the initial attempt one more attempt may be made.
All judge's decisions are final. No appeals are possible
Breed test critiques will be signed by the judge and the breed test secretary. A signed copy is given to the owner and a signed copy submitted to the Office Administrator. When the breed test critiques are processed by the Office Administrator, if the breed test is deemed invalid for any reason the breed test and any subsequent titles dependent on the breed test will be revoked.
Participants may be subject to discipline for misconduct in accordance with the USRC Misconduct and Discipline Regulations
A dog must pass measuring and be critiqued before being allowed to proceed to protection. A dog must pass protection to proceed to the traffic sureness test.

Tail Information

Effective Sept 1, 2014, dogs docked by an individual after becoming a USRC member are prohibited from entering USRC events.
Docked dogs born in countries where docking is forbidden by law are prohibited from entering USRC events.
Dogs docked after seven (7) days from birth are prohibited from entering USRC events

USRC Breed Standard Evaluation (BSE) (April 2020)

Purpose

The USRC Breed Standard Evaluation is not a breed survey, but an evaluation that verifies that the Rottweiler conforms to the FCI Standard 24.07.2018/ EN FCI-Standard N° 147 for the Rottweiler in type and in temperament and is free of disqualifying faults. The evaluated dog must be free of conformation faults in accordance with the standard, be of sound temperament, show tractability and eagerness to work and must possess breedable hip, elbow, cardiac certifications, and JLPP documentation. The traits of character assessed should reveal high confidence of character, sociable behavior, and the aptitude of a utility dog. It should be healthy in body and mind, with a self-assured nature, well-balanced nerves and a high stimulus threshold.

Evaluation and Results

Breed test critiques will be signed by the judge and the breed test secretary. A signed copy is given to the owner and a signed copy submitted to the Office Administrator. When the breed test critiques are processed by the Office Administrator, if the breed test is deemed invalid for any reason the breed test and any subsequent titles dependent on the breed test will be revoked.

The results of a Breed Standard Evaluation are:

Certified – Conforms to the breed standard
Held Back– may retest (with explanation)
Disqualified – Not breedable (with explanation)

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. While evaluating, any unsatisfactory temperament or behaviors during the evaluation elements, must be considered by the judge to determine if the issue is a training error or if it is faulty temperament.

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, nervousness, fearfulness or aggressive behaviors during any of the evaluation elements will be deemed insufficient and the dog may not continue further with the qualification.

Dogs that are deemed Insufficient 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.

Entry Eligibility

Only dogs that appear healthy may be exhibited.
The dog must have a USRC recognized registration
Dogs must be a minimum of 18 months old with USRC acceptable hip and elbow ratings, heart certification, and JLPP test certification.
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.
Dog may only be presented once per scheduled certification. There is no waiting period between attempts for dogs that are held back. Dogs that are excused may not reevaluate.

Requirements

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 the judge’s discretion.
The gunfire will be from a 6mm 22 caliber blank pistol, deployed while the dog is heeling forward 15 paces from spot to the gunfire. The dog may not react in aggression or in fear.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 to assess the dog’s gunshot indifference. If the dog proves to be overly reactive, the dog will be immediately disqualified.

Evaluation 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. If the dog will not allow verification of tattoo or microchip the dog will be deemed Insufficient and the evaluation will be cancelled.
Using a wicket, measuring tape and a skull measuring device, measurements of the dog’s height, body length, chest circumference, and skull will be taken and recorded as well as the eye color, bite and dentition.
A complete written critique and rating of the dog as evaluated in accordance with the FCI breed standard will be recorded. The possible ratings 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) heeling back into and through a milling crowd of people. The judge willhave milling group crowd the dog then back up. Minor deviations to the test routine may occur under the judge’s discretion.
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.

USRC Breed Test Entry Information For Exhibitors (Ztp & Körung)

ZTP ( Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung )

Additional ZTP Prerequisites

All health certificates must show that permanent identification was provided

Hip certification
Elbow rating
OFA normal cardiac certificate
OFA JLPP certificate
The dog must have a USRC recognized BH upon check in for the Breed Test. If the BH is earned after the close of entries a copy of the scorebook showing the BH title must be presented to the ZTP secretary upon check in on the day of the breed test
Missing Teeth – An owner may apply for permission to enter a ZTP from the Breed Director for a dog with a missing tooth or teeth when irrefutable proof exists of previous full dentition and the tooth or teeth were lost due to accident. The owner must submit irrefutable proof of full dentition prior to the accident such as x-rays, BSE, or an OFA Dentition Certificate. The Breed Director will make a decision and that decision, without explanation, will be final. Depending on each individual case, approval or disapproval could take as long as 4 weeks. Approval to enter the ZTP by the Breed Director only allows the dog to enter a ZTP. The Judge may still choose to disqualify the dog in which case the dog will be ineligible for breeding. No appeals of the Judge's decision will be allowed.

Additional Körung Prerequisites

Gekört (First Körung)

Males must be a minimum of 36 months of age. Females must be a minimum of 30 months of age.
The dog must have passed a USRC recognized Breed Suitability Test prior to the entry closing date.
The dog must have obtained three (3) show critiques with a SG or V Rating prior to the entry closing date. Two of these critiques must be from the Adult Classes and must be from 2 (two) different USRC recognized Judges.
Males must have a earned an IPO/IGP 3 title. Females must have earned an IPO/IGP1 title prior to the entry closing date.
The dog must have passed a USRC recognized Endurance Test (AD) prior to the entry closing date.
The dog must have correct mouth pigmentation and dark eyes (1a - 3a).
Missing Teeth – Dogs may receive Gekört in spite of lost teeth provided a copy of the dog's USRC recognized BST or ZTP is submitted with the entry and the original documentation is presented on the day of the breed test.

Additional Gekört bisEzA (Lifetime Breed Survey)

A male must be a minimum of 36 months of age. A bitch must be a minimum of 30 months of age.
The dog must have passed a USRC recognized Advanced Breed Suitability Test/Gekört prior to the entry closing date.
A male must have passed an IPO/IGP 3 title.
The Gekört bisEzA may be attempted no sooner than the following year at the same annual event where the Gekört was earned (i.e. if the Gekört is earned at the National Sieger show, the Gekört bisEzA may be attempted at the National Sieger show the following year)
After obtaining a ZTP/BST and before attempting an Gekört bisEzA, a male must have sired at least 3 litters registered with USRC. A bitch must have whelped at least one litter registered with USRC.
Missing Teeth – Dogs may receive Gekört bisEzA in spite of lost teeth provided a copy of the dog's ZTP/BST is submitted with the entry and the original documentation is presented on the day of the breed test.

Körung 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.
Measurements of the dog’s physical features (height, body length, chest width and circumference etc) will be taken and recorded as well as the eye color and dentition.
A complete written critique of the dog will be done as evaluated in accordance with the breed standard.

The Group:

The handler with dog on leash walks through a group of five to eight people. The handler and dog return to the center of the group where the dog sits. The group, when instructed by the judge, converges on the dog and handler and remains there until told by the judge to disperse. The group is demonstrated both on and off leash for the Gekört and Gekört bisEzA.

The Gun:

The handler and dog walk away from the judge. At a distance of fifteen paces, a 22 short blank starter pistol or its equivalent, is fired twice with a short interval in between each shot. Should the dog have a reaction to the gunfire, this exercise may be varied and repeated at the judge's discretion. If the dog continues to show a strong reaction to gunfire, the test is stopped and the dog is deemed unbreedable.

The protection routines:

Rating protection work is of great significance for the breeding selection of working dogs. For this reason, the assessment of the protection work has the highest priority. The ZTP routine will mirror the ADRK Routine- currently the IPO 1 routine. The Gekört/Gekört bisEzA routine routine will mirror the ADRK Routine- currently the IPO 3 routine

Additional information.

Special attention will be paid to the natural inherited genetic characteristics of the dog.
Dogs who stray away from the helper more than 5 meters will be automatically failed.
Dogs who release the grip of the helper's arm due to the stick hits will be automatically failed.

United States Rottweiler Club