DVG – Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine (German organization of working dog sport clubs) is the largest working dog organization in the world. It is also the oldest Schutzhund training organization in the world. It has over 30,000 members participating in many different dog sports. In addition to Schutzhund, DVG in Germany offers agility (its most popular sport), flyball, search and rescue trials, rally obedience, water rescue, obedience, and many other sports. Schutzhund was one of the original DVG sports, and it remains an important part of the organization, even though the number of participants is relatively small. DVG is divided into a number of regions, called Landesverbände (LV). All of the LVs are in Germany, except for LV DVG America, which covers all of North America. The president of LV DVG America is a member of the Board of DVG, and goes to Germany each year to the annual business meeting to vote on Board and membership affairs. Some Landesverbände are further divided into regions called Kreisgruppe (KG). LV DVG America has 4 KGs – West, Midwest, Southeast, and North. DVG is a member of VDH, the German Kennel Club, roughly equivalent to the AKC. In turn, VDH is a member of FCI, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Organization). FCI is the largest canine organization in the world. It includes 92 member clubs and contract partners. Most of these are breed clubs, but there are also a number of working dog organizations. DVG, like many other working dog organizations, follows the rules of the FCI for running its trials and other competitions.

Why pick DVG America?

DVG America is the only all-breed working dog organization in North America. If your dog can do the sport of schutzhund, we welcome him, no matter what the breed–even if he’s a mixed breed or unregistered. We have over 70 clubs located across the United States and in Canada. In addition to schutzhund, we offer individual titles in tracking and obedience, providing competition opportunities for all people who love to train dogs. We do not have a dog registry – our efforts focus on offering competitions in Schutzhund, without the distractions represented by a registry program. DVG America, like the rest of DVG, follows the rules of FCI in running its competitions. Most working dog organizations follow FCI rules, so your experience at DVG America prepares you to compete in any of those other organizations.