Breed Articles

27/03/2009

THE AUGSBURGER MODEL - A PROGRAMME FOR ALL WORKING DOGS

During the late nineteen seventies when the GSA embarked on the task of introducing and promoting the International Schutzhund trial programme in Ireland we were already fully aware of how the greater overall system was operated on the continent, and in Germany in particular. We certainly knew then that all breeds, and especially Rottweilers, Dobermanns and Boxers were eligible to take part in Schutzhund trials in Germany and elsewhere, as indeed were other capable breeds. Also from practical experience we knew that even Airdales and Giant Schnausers from the terrier lists were acceptable and in most cases more than capable.

We knew and accepted unreservedly that the Schutzhund dog sport was not and could not ever be claimed exclusively as the property of the German Shepherd fraternity. The simple truth as to why in our formative years we never encouraged or accepted the owners of other breeds was purely a political one. Our early objectives were determinedly concentrated on building a breed club to cater for working dogs. Nothing else mattered. At the time we had our work cut out for us, and struggled against negativity and sheer bloody-mindedness for many years. The idea that we should even consider other breeds in any context had absolutely no part on our agenda. Whatever one thinks of this reasoning, it was, for the time, the correct one for the GSA. The fact that today, we now have in place and operating the international conformation and performance programmes are evidential rewards for that single-minded vision. The fact is the idea paid off, was a success, and positioned us as a reliable influence for the breed and sports dogs in Ireland. Armed with this background knowledge we found ourselves in early 2006 in a position where we could confidently extend the hand of friendship and welcome all dog owners in Ireland interested in training and competing in trials. All committed dog owners are now welcome to join us.

But, least the GSA is criticised or misinterpreted for embarking on this course it should be said that our actions are based on and in complete accord with the policies of the SV, the German parent breed club. In fact, the SV was one of the first specialist breed clubs in the world to offer this type of accommodation to other keen dog enthusiasts in areas where no organization or training structures existed. To make this idea work and to ensure that there were clear lines of delineation which would not interfere with defined programmes and systems which are exclusive to German Shepherds, the SV in their wisdom initiated a specific programme which set out a series of rules and regulations. This programme is now known universally as the Augsburger Modell. The SV saw the prospects of this move in the realistic prospective of its potential to bring in extra revenue to its local organisations and for increasing the entries in trials. We expect similar benefits, as well as the expectation of these recruits realizing the extraordinary abilities and potential of the German Shepherd Dog when experienced at close quarters. The prospect of a next dog, a German Shepherd, with a chance of a place on a world championship team cannot be ignored.

The "Augsburger Modell" as adopted by the GSA shall have the exact same provisions, safeguards and benefits for new members just as the SV programme has. Owners of other breeds shall have equal opportunities in all the areas of training and trials and shall be eligible for qualifications, titles and any awards or special prizes.

Though the regulations are quite specific in detailing the areas of ineligibility for dogs other than pure bred German Shepherds it is nevertheless appropriate to point out that the only limitations placed on these dogs in competitions is in the context of the National Schutzhund Championship Trials and in the selection process for a place on the Irish and World Championship Team.

With this important progressive step the GSA has accomplished another leap forward. By harnessing the interest of people from the other working breeds we hope to not only expand our agenda further and bring information about the dog sport programmes to more and more people, but to also encourage and help other breeds to develop their own licensing programmes within their specific breed clubs. The possibility of a future federation of working dog clubs representing all the working breeds is becoming a possibility.

The fact that the GSA as the German Shepherd  operating with the backing of the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs (WUSV) and supportive elements within the FCI continues to demonstrate that the international dog sport can be operated in a safe and regulated manner in Ireland. The fact that in future this will be done with multi-breed involvement has not gone unnoticed universally and will shortly become an issue of interest to the receptive ears in the FCI headquarters in Brussels.