White Shepherds in Performance Competitions

Agility events are fast-paced exercises in which the handler directs the dog through a course involving tunnels, a sway bridge, jumps, and other obstacles in a race against the clock. Speed is important, but so are control and accuracy. The dogs are scored on the manner in which they negotiate these obstacles and the time elapsed to complete the course.

Dock jumping is a simple, yet exciting sport that has been exploding all over the country. UKC is excited to add it as another performance event, through Ultimate Air Dogs; yet another way to have fun with your dog! There are two different forms of jumping that UKC dogs are able to obtain titles in: Ultimate Air or Distance Jumping, and Ultimate Vertical.

The purpose of competitive herding trial is to preserve and develop the herding skills inherent in the herding breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful functions for which they were originally bred. Although herding trials are artificial simulations of pastoral or farm situations, they are standardized tests to measure and develop the characteristics of the herding breeds. White shepherds are fantastic natural herding dogs and many white shepherd owners and their owners perform in herding events.

Individuals under the age of 18 can earn show their dogs and earn junior titles.

Brandon Sadowski showed dogs for many years, earning many titles, and was integral to helping many UWSC juniors during his time through his kindness. In his honor, we have created the Brandon Sadowski Memorial Award! This is awarded to Best Junior at the National Specialty Show each year.

Modeled after working detection dogs, this activity provides a safe and enriching scenario that can be easily performed anywhere and builds a trusting and lasting relationship between handler and dog. In the sport, one dog and one handler form a team where the dog must find a hidden target odor, often ignoring distractions such as food or toys, and alert the handler once the target odor is found. In one test, dogs search for an odor hidden on a vehicle.

Obedience events test the training of dogs as they perform a series of exercises at the command of their handler. There are several levels of competition, ranging from basic commands – such as “sit,” “come,” and “heel” – to scent discrimination and directed retrieves over jumps. The classes are further divided by the experience of the handler as well. All dogs start their competition with a perfect score of 200, and points are deducted according to the performance of dog and handler. Obedience events offer an opportunity for the handler and dog to form a special bond of trust unequaled in other events.

The purpose of Precision Coursing is to elicit the dog’s natural prey drive and chasing instincts. Precision Coursing will give dogs an opportunity to learn patterned courses that become increasingly complex. Courses will test a dog’s speed, agility, and foresight.

Weight pull competition tests a dog’s strength and stamina based on the dog’s ability to pull a maximum amount of weight on a sled or cart over a prescribed distance within a prescribed amount of time. Scores are based on the amount of weight pulled and the amount of time required to complete the pull. The type of weight vehicle may vary according to the surface of the pull area.