If you have just discovered what Schutzhund training is and want to get started, you have a lot of things to learn. From obedience to protection work passing by tracking, this dog sport requires specific knowledge and skills. That’s why you can’t do it on your own.
Finding and joining a local Schutzhund club is highly recommended for beginners. It will allow you to train with other handlers and learn from more experienced protection dog trainers. So here’s everything you should know about Schutzhund clubs!
What Is A Schutzhund Club?
A Schutzhund club is a group of people that work and train their dogs together for IGP. Training clubs are non-profit organizations created for recreational purposes. Dog owners and handlers join a Schutzhund club to learn and progress with other members. So it’s a community that can help beginners to get started.
How Do Schutzhund Clubs Work?
In general, Schutzhund clubs offer memberships that provide benefits to members. It can include lower training fees, access to equipment, field, and much more. However, each Schutzhund club works differently and has its own policies.
Visitors and guests are welcome by most clubs but won’t have the same rates and advantages as members. Those non-profit organizations are run by volunteers who share a passion for Schutzhund. All funds are used to finance the club, host trials, buy equipment, etc.
So joining a Schutzhund club costs money, but it’s worth all the benefits you will get from this membership. It’s a no-brainer if you want to train your dog for IGP, especially if you’re a beginner.
How To Find A Schutzhund Training Club Near You?
Now that you know how a Schutzhund club might help you, it’s time to find one that you can join. There are many different groups of people that train for this dog sport. Depending on your needs, goals, and location, some clubs are more appropriate for you than others.
With all the Schutzhund clubs out there, it’s not easy to choose the right one if you don’t have any experience and knowledge in this canine sport. You might also have no idea where to search for them. Thus, here are 3 steps you can follow to find a club for you and your dog.
1. Select A Schutzhund Organization!
The first step is to choose the Schutzhund organization you want to participate in. Each club has a parent organization that hosts and monitors IGP trials. The largest one in the US is the United Schutzhund Clubs of America.
The USCA is an organization that wants to protect and preserve the German Shepherd Dog’s working heritage, which involves Schutzhund training. The standard Single Membership costs $100 and gives you access to multiple benefits, including access to their IGP trials.
Apart from USCA, there are many other Schutzhund organizations you may consider. The right one for you will mainly depend on where you live, what your goals are, and your dog’s conditions.
For example, DVG America is the only all-breed IGP organization in the US. (Learn More About Schutzhund Dog Breeds!) It focuses more on the sport aspect of Schutzhund than its original use as a breeding suitability test, contrary to USCA. So here’s a list of some organizations with helpful information about each of them.
List Of The Main Schutzhund Organizations In North America:
United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA)
- Largest Schutzhund Organization In The US.
- Around 175 Clubs In The US.
- IGP Focus: Breeding Suitability Test.
- Mainly For German Shepherds, But Allow Other Dog Breeds In Certain Events.
DVG America
- Only All-Breed IGP Organization In The US.
- Around 80 Clubs In The US & Canada.
- IGP Focus: Dog Sport.
German Dog Clubs of America (GSDCA)
- Breed Organization For German Shepherd Dogs.
- Number One GSD Organization Recognized By The American Kennel Club. (AKC)
- 25 IGP Regional Clubs.
- Focus More On AKC Events & Shows Than Schutzhund.
American Working Malinois Association (AWMA)
- Breed Organization For Belgian Malinois Working Dogs.
- Around 40 Clubs In The US.
- IGP Focus: Breeding Suitability Test.
- Mainly For Belgian Malinois, But Allow Other Dog Breeds Too.
German Shepherd Club of Canada (GSSCC)
- Largest Schutzhund Organization In Canada.
- Around 40 Clubs In Canada.
- IGP Focus: Breeding Suitability Test.
- Mainly For German Shepherds, But Allow Other Dog Breeds In Certain Events.
The USCA is the go-to Schutzhund organization. With the largest number of clubs, judges, helpers, and trials/events hosted in the US, it’s the most popular choice for IGP enthusiasts. However, your location or needs might lead you to another venue.
I retrieved most details of the organizations from their respective website. I also find some interesting information on each of them while reading this article from the My Schutzhund Life blog.
2. Look At The Training Clubs Near You!
Once you have selected the organization you prefer, it’s time to find a Schutzhund club associated with it. You can visit the website of the IGP organization you have chosen and search for clubs in your area. Here are some links to their club listings or directory.
- USCA Clubs By Region
- DVG America Clubs By Region
- GSDCA Clubs By State Map
- AWMA Find A Club Page
- GSSCC Home Page (Navigation/Clubs/Region)
If you don’t mind the organization, you can also type “Schutzhund club near me” on Google or any other search engine. It will allow you to find many IGP clubs in your area quickly. Then, you can see what your options are within a reasonable driving distance.
3. Choose The Right Schutzhund Club For You!
Before you start more in-depth research, it’s essential to understand what you should be looking for. In general, the people (Training Director, Helper & Members), club goals, training methods, and atmosphere should be the main elements to analyze.
The club you choose must fit with your personal goals and needs. Looking at the training days and hours can also be helpful to make sure it works with your schedule. The best way to find the right Schutzhund club is to look at and visit as many as possible to see which one you prefer.
How To Join A Schutzhund Club?
You first have to contact the Schutzhund club you’re interested in joining. Then, you can visit the organization and maybe even participate in a training session. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and observe how this IGP club works. Finally, you will need to follow the procedures and pay the membership to join the club.
Joining a community of Schutzhund trainers isn’t as easy and simple as you might think. Some clubs are always happy to welcome new members, while others don’t take anyone aboard. Thus, you should contribute to the organization for better chances of joining it.
What To Expect After Joining A Schutzhund Club?
The club will have specific training days and times when members can access facilities to meet and train together. Most clubs will focus on the protection phase when they work in groups. Obedience and tracking are generally left to handlers to do outside group training days.
Schutzhund requires a lot of time, effort, and commitment. Thus, you should be ready to work hard and train a lot when joining a club. Some organizations even have a minimum of training sessions members have to attend.
Please don’t expect others to do the work for you and take you by the hand from start to finish. The golden rule is that the more you give to other members, the more you will receive in return. Everyone must contribute to the club.
Although it won’t be easy, preparing your dog for IGP can be fun too. Being part of a Schutzhund club allows you to share your passion with others. So I’m sure joining the right organization will only make this type of training more fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Last Thoughts About Schutzhund Clubs!
Finally, finding and joining a training club is one of the first steps to participate in the sport of IGP with your dog. And make sure to choose well because members generally stay with a Schutzhund club for 2 to 3 years. (See How Long Schutzhund Training Can Take!)
Here’s what you have to do now!
- Select The Right Organization! (USCA, DVG America, etc.)
- Look For Clubs Associated With It In Your Area! (Clubs List or Google Search)
- Analyze Them & Join The Right One For You! (People, Training, Schedules, etc.)
With this action plan, you have no more excuses not to get started. So what are you waiting for? The sooner you start training your dog for Schutzhund, the faster you can improve his obedience, tracking, and protection skills.
Have Fun Training With Your Club!