The mission of the United Doberman Club is to preserve and protect the Doberman Pinscher and its heritage as a working dog, doing everything possible to perfect its natural qualities. One of the strategies for fulfilling this mission is to conduct events that promote the Doberman as a working breed, and to record and issue titles. The UDC recognizes outstanding Dobermans by awarding the UDC Conformation Championship to worthy individuals.
The UDC Conformation Championship is a notable three-phase accomplishment. While any AKC or FCI registered Doberman may enter a UDC temperament test and conformation show, to finalize the requirements for a UDC Conformation Champion a dog must be UDC registered (have a scorebook), earn three Challenge Certificates (CCs) under at least two different judges, pass the adult UDC temperament test, and earn a performance title such as an IGP BH-VT or AKC CD. The owner does NOT have to be a member of the UDC to register the dog and obtain a scorebook, and all valid wins and titles will be used to determine the dog’s eligibility for a UDC Championship at the time the dog is registered.
Because the temperament test is a requirement for the UDC conformation championship, each UDC sanctioned conformation event must offer an official temperament test prior to the start of the conformation show(s) so that every dog entered has a chance to take the temperament test appropriate for their age and class entered. There is only one temperament test offered per conformation event, regardless of the number of shows featured at a single UDC sanctioned conformation event.
If a dog fails the temperament test required to enter, the dog and handler may still show in the conformation show(s), earn a class placing and awards, and receive a conformation rating and critique from the judge, but the judge cannot award a CC, and the dog is not eligible for a “Best” award in the show.
Old North State Working Dobermans is a member club of the UDC. Our conformation “Carolina Summer Shows” cluster features a UDC temperament test and multiple conformation shows. It is an opportunity for Doberman lovers to gather and learn about the Doberman and how we can work together to preserve the characteristics of our breed that we treasure. We are beginner/novice friendly!
Schutzhund (German for protection/working dog) is a competitive sport designed to test the character of working dogs. Schutzhund titles (now called IGP) have three components: tracking, obedience, and protection. In order to earn a schutzhund (IGP) title, the dog and handler team must pass all three phases of the title in a single trial. There are three levels of schutzhund titles (1-3), with the 3-level being the most difficult. Before a dog can compete for a full 3-phase schutzhund title, it must first pass a basic obedience and temperament assessment to determine its suitability to continue within the sport.
Schutzhund training is a lifestyle commitment. Participants generally spend many hours in training and may travel long distances to acquire the necessary training to be successful. Most schutzhund training is organized around local clubs whose members meet multiple times per week to train together toward competition.
The Old North State Working Dobermans club offers periodic seminars and workshops, along with occasional working dog titling events, but we are not a primary training club. The United Doberman Club holds two national level schutzhund (IGP) trials for Dobermans per year.