If you want to get into the sport of Schutzhund, one of the first steps is to join a club. Having a community of experienced and like-minded people is ideal for beginners. The members of your future Schutzhund club will help you train and prepare your dog for trials.
However, you have to choose the right one for you. Some training clubs are better than others, but it also depends on your goals, needs, preferences, and location. Where you live will influence a lot what your options are.
List Of All Schutzhund Training Clubs In Michigan!
Michigan is a great state to live in, and there are quite a bit of clubs for Schutzhund enthusiasts. So here’s a list of all the training clubs for this dog sport in this location.
- Capital Area Schutzhund Club (USCA)
- Der Michigan Schutzhund Verein (USCA)
- Metro Detroit Schutzhund Club (USCA)
- South Michigan Schutzhund & Police Club (USCA)
- Wildhaus Kennels (USCA)
- Capital City DVG SchH/IPO Association (DVG)
- Falconhurst Canine Corps (DVG)
- Pure Michigan Dogsport (DVG)
O.G. Michigan Schutzhund Club (USCA)– No Longer Exist
Michigan Schutzhund Clubs Per Region!
Although there are 8 clubs in Michigan, it’s a relatively big state divided into two by the Great Lakes. Besides that, the Schutzhund clubs aren’t distributed equally around the state. They are all situated in the lower part of Michigan (Southeast) near Detroit and Grand Rapids.
Best Schutzhund Training Clubs In Michigan!
Since there are only 8 clubs in this state, let’s dive into more details for each one of them. Then, you should visit those that interest you and are near your location to find the best one for you.
| Schutzhund Club Name | Region | Contact Information |
| Capital Area Schutzhund Club | Lansing, MI | Amy Morris Email: [email protected] Phone: (517) 795-6122 |
| Der Michigan Schutzhund Verein | Pittsford, MI | Tricia Singer Email: [email protected] Phone: (517) 605-5663 |
| Metro Detroit Schutzhund Club | Milan, MI | John Bochenek Email: [email protected] Phone: (248) 860-5340 |
| South Michigan Schutzhund & Police Club | Clinton, MI | Sean Murphy Email: [email protected] Phone: (734) 323-2748 |
| Wildhaus Kennels (Breeder & Club) | Ann Arbor, MI | Tim and Chris Wild Email: [email protected] Phone: (810) 610-7523 |
| Capital City DVG SchH/IPO Association | St. Johns, MI | Cheryl Carlson Email: [email protected] Phone: (517) 719-0208 |
| Falconhurst Canine Corps | Saginaw, MI | A.J. Slaughter III Email: [email protected] Phone: (989) 752-7492 |
| Pure Michigan Dogsport | Grand Rapids, MI | Claire Ransom Email: [email protected] Phone: (248) 835-8894 |
(No Longer Exists) |
The information in this table was retrieved from the USCA Mid-East Region Clubs Directory, DVG Find A Club Tool, and Wildhaus Kennels Contact Page.
USCA Schutzhund Clubs
Capital Area Schutzhund Club
Even if there’s not a lot of information about this Schutzhund club online, it’s still an option you should consider. They have an excellent reputation, principally because of their trainer Gustavo Sanchez. Many people say he’s the best and that the Capital Area Schutzhund Club is a good one.
Der Michigan Schutzhund Verein
Another well-known club in the state of Michigan is the Der Michigan Schutzhund Verein. It’s the equivalent of The Michigan Schutzhund Club in german. The training director, Brian Harvey, has trained dogs for police, sport, and personal protection for more than 30 years.
Also known as the Pronounced K9 club, you can check their Facebook Page and website for more information. Just to give you an idea, there are over 20 people that recommend this organization on Facebook. They say it’s a welcoming club with good trainers and helpers.
Metro Detroit Schutzhund Club
Near Detroit, this is also an option you might consider to get into Schutzhund. This club welcomes anyone who wants to train and compete in IPO/IGP, regardless of their experience or the breed of their dog. It has various members, ranging from beginners to accomplished handlers.
The Metro Detroit Schutzhund Club is a full member of both the USCA and AWMA. So it could be an excellent organization to join for any handler. For more information, you can check out their Facebook Page or visit them during one of their training days.
South Michigan Schutzhund & Police Club
On their Facebook Group, they describe themselves as a group of friends that enjoy Schutzhund training and the camaraderie of the sport. Their members have titles ranging from the BH to IGP 3, passing by the FH competing at the regional and national levels.
The South Michigan Schutzhund & Police Club participates in all three parts of the sport. They also train dogs for conformation and breed surveys. By joining this group, you will have access to great mentors, a national-level helper, and a performance judge/teaching helper.
Wildhaus Kennels
This Schutzhund club isn’t on the USCA Clubs Directory, but many handlers recommended them on forum threads. I took a look at their website, and they claim to be registered with this organization as a kennel. Thus, Wildhaus Kennels isn’t only a breeder but also a club.
Members have only good things to say about Chris and Tim, the trainers and owners of this kennel. So their club might be an excellent option for you if you live near Ann Arbor in Michigan. For more information, you should contact them by phone or email.
O.G. Michigan Schutzhund Club
Although this club is listed on the USCA, it no longer exists.
DVG Schutzhund Clubs
Capital City DVG SchH/IPO Association
This working dog competition training club has been established since 1979. The founder, president, and training director is Cheryl Carlson, a well-known expert in the industry.
Situated in St-Johns, it might also be the nearest Schutzhund club if you live in Central Michigan. Check out their website for more information!
Falconhurst Canine Corps
I didn’t find much information about this Schutzhund club, but it was mentioned a few times in forum threads. All I know is that it’s a member of the LG DVG America, and the training director is A.J. Slaughter III. It could be an option to consider if you’re located near Saginaw.
Pure Michigan Dogsport
The Pure Michigan Dogsport club is a team of handlers that participate in the sport of Schutzhund. Active on their Facebook Page, it seems like a very close group of people that enjoy training their dogs together. In 2021, they earned a TR1, OB1, IGP 2, and three IGP 1.
Other Schutzhund Clubs Near Michigan!
Even if you’re in Michigan, you can still look for Schutzhund clubs nearby in another state. So here are a few other clubs you might consider too.
- Great Lakes Working Dog Assoc. (New Paris, IN)
- Michiana Working Dog Association (Wawaka, IN)
- O.G. Inselstadt Schutzhund Club (Phillips, WI)
Schutzhund Trainers In Michigan!
Joining a club isn’t the only way to prepare your dog for Schutzhund. You can also work with a trainer outside of training days. Some training directors such as Gustavo Sanchez and other experienced handlers also offer private sessions.
Besides that, some dog training centers have programs for Schutzhund, obedience, and protection in Michigan. If it’s something that interests you, here are some links you should check out.
- K9 Specialist (Schutzhund)
- Backwoods K-9 (Schutzhund)
- Canine Resolution (Obedience)
- West Michigan K9 (Obedience)
- Motor City K9 Solutions (Obedience)
Last Thoughts About Schutzhund Clubs In Michigan!
Finally, there are a lot of clubs and places where you can train your dog for Schutzhund in and around the state of Michigan. Now that you know what your options are, it’s time to choose the right one for you and your dog.
Let’s Find That Schutzhund Club!