Obedience Section

for the beginner

In order to compete in Obedience or any other sporting discipline one must be a member of the State ruling body.   If you are not a member of a State ruling body see links to your individual State body (see General Information).

The GSDCA supports obedience training and competition via its affiliate Clubs and at the National Shows. 

Most affiliate member Clubs conduct obedience training sessions for the new owner and new handler as well as for the enthusiast.  For information pertaining to these classes please contact your state affiliate Club.  Member Clubs also hold Obedience trials connected to their Specialty German Shepherd Dog Shows whereby dogs are able to gain Obedience titles. (see Affiliate Clubs).
 

obedience titles

Titles attainable in obedience are CCD (Community Companion Dog title), CD (Companion Dog title), CDX (Companion Dog Excellent title), UD (Utility Dog title), UDX (Utility Dog Excellent title), and OC (Obedience Champion).
 

national trial results

Please note that Trial Results for the 39th National are published on the National Shows page in the Trial Results section.  

Past Trial Results of the National Show and Trials are published on the National Shows page with the Archived Show Results.

Click here for photos of some obedience competitors at 39th National in 2011

Click here for photos of the GSDL Demonstration Team at the 39th National Show and Trial at Erskine Park in 2011.
 

obedience national competition and excellent awards competition rules

1. GENERAL

• The competition is open to all owners of registered pedigreed German Shepherd Dogs.
• The owner shall be a financial member of an affiliate of the GSDCA at the time of the competition.
• The owner shall be a member of an ANKC Affiliate at the time of the competition. (State Kennel Council)

2. SCORES:

• All scores shall be qualifying scores gained at Kennel Control Sanctioned, title gaining trials.
• The scores shall be, for the highest aggregate:
     3 Novice Scores for the Top Novice Award.
     6 Open Scores for the Best Open Dog Award
     6 Utility Scores for the Top Obedience Dog Award.
     NB: The National or MBE score may be a NQ entry, making it a 7 score entry for Open and Utility.
•  If there is no qualifier in any of the three sections, then the award for that section will not be presented for that year.

3. ENTRY INTO COMPETITION:

• The competition shall run from the National to 3 weeks prior to the next National.
• In Open and Utility Class, the competitor must have competed at the National or Main Breed Exhibition.
• Competitors shall present clear photocopies of their best qualifying cards to the Obedience Chairman by the closing date, that is 3 weeks before the National Show and Trial.
• The relevant information on the winning dogs and handlers, dates of trials, affiliates conducting the trials and scores, shall be published in the National Review.

4. CLASSES:

• BEST NOVICE DOG AWARD - For the dog and handler gaining the highest aggregate of qualifying scores in Novice Class.
• BEST OPEN DOG AWARD - For the dog and handler gaining the highest aggregate of qualifying scores over 6 trials in Open Class.
• TOP OBEDIENCE DOG AWARD - For the dog and handler gaining the highest aggregate of qualifying scores over 6 trials in Utility Class.

5. TIED SCORES:

• Generally, scores from the National and MBE rank equal.
• Two equal 1st place awards are to be presented if a winner can not be found by the following method:
  1st: A competitor at the National or MBE,
  2nd: Highest score on Count Back Exercises.

Award Entry Form
 

gsdca excellent awards

Inaugurated 1997 and as amended 2003/2004

Excellent Handler Awards are presented in the following manner :

EXCELLENT HANDLER AWARDS are presented for the Excellent gradings to be achieved in the working aspects of : Obedience, Tracking, and Agility, in one, or any combination of these disciplines.

BRONZE: 5 Excellents
SILVER: 10 Excellents
GOLD: 20 Excellents

OBEDIENCE EXCELLENTS : These are awarded at all GSD Club Trials by any ANKC Licensed Judge for a qualifying score of 190 or over.

AGILITY and JUMPING EXCELLENTS : These will be awarded for 2 clear rounds in Novice, Open and in Masters.

TRACKING EXCELLENTS : These are qualifying certificates issued by any organizing club, with the judge awarding a “pass, EXCELLENT”.

EXCELLENT DOG AWARDS : These are presented to dogs that are awarded 10 Excellents in Obedience and/or Tracking and/or Agility/Jumping, in a single or any combination of the 4 disciplines.

BREEDERS’ AWARDS :  These will be presented to breeders of dogs that have gained the EXCELLENT DOG AWARD, provided that the dog has gained either an OSAC or Breed Survey Classification.

THE NATIONAL OBEDIENCE COMPETITION:

Please either see above or ask for a copy of The Rules. In a nutshell.:

NOVICE CLASS: Please send in your highest 3 qualifying scores from any trial. No National or MBE required as entry.

OPEN and UTILITY CLASS: The National or MBE score, PASS or FAIL, count as an entry into the competition. Competitors will submit any SIX qualifying scores. The highest aggregate wins.

special obedience national teams event

General Rules:

1. Entry to the teams event is open to Clubs, kennels or groups of individual competitors.
2. Each team must be comprised of four separate dogs, which may come from any class.
3. Each team member must be a member of an affiliated GSDCA club.
4. More than one team may be entered by any one group.
5. Individual dogs may be entered in Open and UD in two different teams, provided that any class score is counted only once.
6. Team co-ordinator to sign off on rules at time of entry.
7. All scores must be qualifying scores.

Total of three best scores for team.
Four dogs scores will count, lowest score is dropped.
Reserve to be used only if one of nominated team cannot compete.

Please note that the entry form MUST be lodged with the Trial Manager / Secretary prior to the commencement of the obedience trial.

  National Teams Event Entry Form

 

ankc rules and regulations for obedience

See ANKC website -  http://www.ankc.org.au/Rules.aspx