Obedience...
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...Rally
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...is a performance competition where handler and dog must work
together to allow the dog to accomplish various tasks when asked.
Some degree of obedience training generally is considered essential for a
Tervuren to be a "civilized" companion. The American Kennel Club awards the
"Canine Good Citizen" (CGC) certificate to dogs that display the willingness and
ability to accomplish certain basic tasks. Many Tervuren excel at obedience work
and Tervuren are frequently among the nationally top-ranked obedience
competitors each year. |
... is an exciting new sport, which was
developed by Charles "Bud" Kramer, the man who brought agility
to the US. Rally was designed with several goals in mind:
- To bring new people into the sport of obedience
- To provide a venue for green dogs to compete who might not be
ready for traditional obedience
- To add elements that made agility interesting to traditional
obedience.
Find
out about Rally here. |
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Read
all about Tervdom's first
OTCH, MACH, CH |
RIVAL |
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The exercises in obedience include:
-- Moving beside the handler (heeling) on and off lead
-- Come when called
-- Stand for examination
-- Sit and stay on command
-- Lie down and stay on command
-- Jump various sized and shaped obstacles
-- Retrieve articles
Some of these exercises have practical applications for a dog as high
spirited as most Tervuren. Many breeders consider some obedience training
essential and will require purchasers to provide their new pet with some formal
classes.
Puppies are learning all the time! Obedience training may commence when the
puppy is only a few weeks old using methods designed with puppies in mind.
Formal obedience competitions separate dogs and their handlers by their
experience. The levels for the dogs are Novice, Open, and Utility. Handlers are
required to show in classes designated "B" when they have previously titled a
dog at that level. Handlers without that experience may show in the "A" classes.
Dogs are not separated by breed. The only difference between the exercises
performed by a Tervuren and those for a Chihuahua is the height of the jumps in
the advanced classes.
A perfect obedience score is 200 points and each dog/handler team enters the
ring with that score. The judge makes deductions based on the team's deviations
from the description of a perfect performance in the AKC obedience regulations.
The team needs at least 170 points to qualify for a "leg" toward its title.
Three qualifying scores, or legs, are required to earn each title.
AKC Obedience Titles are displayed as abbreviations suffixed to a dog's
registered name:
-- Companion Dog (CD) for three qualifying Novice trials
-- Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) for three qualifying Open trials
-- Utility Dog (UD) for three qualifying Utility trials
-- Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) for ten qualifying Open and Utility trials
The scores earned by all of the dogs competing in each obedience class are
used to determine class placements. There is also an award for highest scoring
dog in trial (HIT) and the dog with the highest combined score in Open and
Utility (HC).
Dogs that earn 100 points by placing in the Open or Utility "B" classes are
awarded the title Obedience Trial Champion, which prefixes their registered name
with the abbreviation "OTCH."
Obedience trials often are conducted in conjunction with all-breed
conformation shows. Many local all-breed and obedience clubs offer training. Ask
your breeder, veterinarian or the
American Kennel
Club about opportunities in your area.
