UDC Nationals 2025

I'm not really planning to go but it's a nice central location so they should get a decent turnout.
 
Hmm....probably only a 5-6 hour drive for me but it's doubtful. That is a really tough time for me to get away.
I haven't been to the nationals in probably a decade or so. It would be interesting to see if anything has changed. I know a lot of the same people are still involved so probably not.
 
Anyone here going?
I would if I was close enough. LOL, this event is 1500 miles one way. If you are close enough to go watch it would be an excellent way to stand by and observe. Since it's so many days you would be able to see conformation, obedience, temperament tests (by age appropriate), plus the IGP trials. I could be wrong, as I've never looked into other working breeds testing, but seems to me only GSDs have shows/trials that cover all this in one location. Usually it's just conformation or just IGP. Sometimes a Doberman Club confo show will have a WAE (adult temperament test), but only the UDC will have temperament tests for puppies, adolescents and adults. So if you are wanting to learn more about the breed and the goals for those wanting a "total Doberman", this would be a great venue. They also would probably love to have more volunteers where you could learn even more by assisting in some way or other.

I haven't been to the nationals in probably a decade or so. It would be interesting to see if anything has changed. I know a lot of the same people are still involved so probably not.
That's too bad, sounds like you had a bad experience with them. I know shows can bring out pettiness, but if you aren't competing and just want to learn about the breed and see how these venues work, it seems this would be a good opportunity for anyone to go watch. There are new people who have joined in the last 10 years, as well as many of the same ones who will be there forever. Perhaps some things have actually improved?
 
That's too bad, sounds like you had a bad experience with them.
Actually multiple bad experiences. That's not to say everyone will have the same one. I would still courage anyone to give it a try. It is a learning experience of both good and bad things. I unfortunately happened to get the scales tipped the wrong way. I'm okay the way things worked out.
 
Can you just show up and get your dog a WAE, or are you required to join a chapter, etc?

Or is that better done at a regionalevent?
 
Can you just show up and get your dog a WAE, or are you required to join a chapter, etc?
I think there is a deadline to enter, they have to know ahead of time to be able to schedule the day and for the judge. Big difference of 10 dogs pre-entered and 25 showing up day-of. But no, I don't think you have to be in any chapter of any club. I did my WAE at a Doberman Club sponsored event (mostly AKC conformation) in Arizona, didn't belong to their club, but all the events do have a cut off for entries so they can plan their trials accordingly. So glad you are even thinking of this! Great way to evaluate your dog ❤️
 
The scorebook is EVERYTHING in UDC.
No more "everything" than points are important in AKC conformation to get a CH or that Q's are needed to get AKC titles. There is no requirement to have a scorebook through UDC unless you want your records noted in UDC records. I am a UDC member, I have a score book for IGP and it does have pages in it for temperament tests,. UDC is simply a Doberman club that keeps records of your titles like AKC and UKC except it is breed specific and has a place for titles in sports and temperament testing plus health & UDC conformation scores that aren't kept by general registries such as AKC. So yeah, especially if you are a breeder a scorebook should be everything and something to be proud of. Or if, people like me just want to go out and prove my dog, it's a great record book to have. But it is not required for UDC unless you want to get UDC club titles. The scorebook I have is an AWDF (American Working Dog Federation) for all breeds, not a specific Doberman scorebook and a scorebook IS required for any bitesports trials - IGP, Mondio, French ring no matter what breed of dog.

I just don't want people here like @BG1 who are learning and interested in seeing what UDC is all about to think that you have to be a member of UDC or have a scorebook to enter a WAE test. WAE tests are required to be offered by every DPCA chapter club at least every other year to meet requirements of being a DPCA club. WAE is not just put on by UDC, it's a DPCA Doberman-specific temperament test.
 
Without doing a deep dive, I found this on the UDC website, which it APPEARS to me to enter anything a the UDC Nationals, membership is only required for IGP3. All other trials can be entered without a UDC membership. For this discussion, entries are closed for this years Nationals, but hopefully this will be helpful for anyone interested in future UDC events.

UNITED DOBERMAN CLUB PERFORMANCE MANUAL

CHAPTER 2 – WORKING DOG (IGP) RULES

I. IGP RULES AND VARIANCES.

A. All UDC trials are governed by the latest IGP rules issued by the FCI at the FCI website

www.fci.be (http://www.fci.be/medias/UTI-REG-IGP-en-10245.pdf).

B. SPr (defense/protection) is not offered as a stand‐alone entry at UDC trials. The dog

must be entered in either FPr (tracking) or UPr (obedience) as well as SPr.

C. Only UDC members are permitted to enter the UDC National IGP Trial at the IGP3 level

to compete for the title of UDC National IGP3 Champion. UDC membership is not

required to enter at any other level in the UDC National IGP Trial. UDC membership is

not required to enter at any level at the UDC Fall Classic IGP Trial or any regional or

club IGP trial.

II. ADDITIONAL EV
 
No more "everything" than points are important in AKC conformation to get a CH or that Q's are needed to get AKC titles. There is no requirement to have a scorebook through UDC unless you want your records noted in UDC records. I am a UDC member, I have a score book for IGP and it does have pages in it for temperament tests,. UDC is simply a Doberman club that keeps records of your titles like AKC and UKC except it is breed specific and has a place for titles in sports and temperament testing plus health & UDC conformation scores that aren't kept by general registries such as AKC. So yeah, especially if you are a breeder a scorebook should be everything and something to be proud of. Or if, people like me just want to go out and prove my dog, it's a great record book to have. But it is not required for UDC unless you want to get UDC club titles. The scorebook I have is an AWDF (American Working Dog Federation) for all breeds, not a specific Doberman scorebook and a scorebook IS required for any bitesports trials - IGP, Mondio, French ring no matter what breed of dog.

I just don't want people here like @BG1 who are learning and interested in seeing what UDC is all about to think that you have to be a member of UDC or have a scorebook to enter a WAE test. WAE tests are required to be offered by every DPCA chapter club at least every other year to meet requirements of being a DPCA club. WAE is not just put on by UDC, it's a DPCA Doberman-specific temperament test.
Thanks @Ravenbird !
I'm not going to he able to make Nationals but will look for UDC, DPCA events with WAEs in the coming year. Bonnie is just a rescue spayed NA/EU but interested in the learning process and "new things to do" as time permits, if we get another- it would be preservation breeder pup (male) in a year or two as a companion, with same NA/EU sort of mix for drive and temperament, with known good health, longevity documented.
 
Are there any Doberman dog shows held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse...i would love to go.. or any around this Syracuse upstate western area..??
 
Are there any Doberman dog shows held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse...i would love to go.. or any around this Syracuse upstate western area..??
If you are talking about UDC (IGP working sports) there is a lot of activity in NY. This one is in the fall, so details aren't out yet. I don't know how close this is to Syracuse, but as few of the trials put on by UDC, you are lucky to live in the same state where one is held! Screenshot 2025-04-16 at 6.38.13 AM.webp

One the other hand, if you want to see AKC or UDC conformation any large show will have Doberman classes. DPCA website will have a list of chapter club(s) in your state and you can inquire to one local to you about upcoming shows to watch for.


will look for UDC, DPCA events with WAEs in the coming year.
If you haven't seen this page already it is very helpful. It does list the upcoming events, but many aren't listed very far out from the date. Also are results listed and information about the test and how it will present for you. Also, same as I said above, navigate the DPCA website for the closest chapter club near you, then contact them for upcoming shows.

Working Aptitude Evaluation (WAE) |



.... found this for you regarding WAE at club shows -

Q: How many WAE are required?

A: Every chapter club needs to do a WAE test every three years. The Northern California clubs and all five clubs in Ohio do this every year together so all clubs get credit. Just need to have three club members minimum from each club to help put on the event to get credit. New this year is smaller clubs being able to put on the WAE at the nationals. If a club wants to do that you need to have three members there and contact the national show coordinating folks. I know Las Vegas is helping out putting it on this year because they can’t fire a gun at their show site.



Also, I think you have seen the threads on WAE here on DCF where a couple of us have posted videos of our dogs doing the test?
 
I forgot to post that one, thanks @JanS - I never realized when I got my puppy that I was so isolated from all the action. I would have loved to do UKC stuff, especially conformation. Zero shows in NM or AZ, two in CO 10 hour drive one way and several in Texas but all 10 hours plus. I watched for a couple of years and think they had a show in Tucson or Phoenix a couple years ago, but I finally just gave it up. Same with any Doberman stuff. No DPCA club in my state, no specialty shows, very few IGP clubs. So those of you who can go to training or a trial and go home the same night: Count your blessings! 😉
 
Also, I think you have seen the threads on WAE here on DCF where a couple of us have posted videos of our dogs doing the test?
Here are links so you don't have to search for them. I sometimes don't think about the newcomers who aren't as familiar with navigating DCF. Also sometimes one prompt such as "WAE" leads to many discussions and I knew how recognize these two threads.


 
Hubby put a big tarp along the sidewalk to keep them from tracking in mud so they have that part of WAE down. LOL
Our club is holding an FDC (Farm dog certification) again this summer so I really should work on some of those things since it's very similar to WAE.
 

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