ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The German Shepherd Dog Club of America-Working Dog Association, Inc. (GSDCA-WDA) is dedicated to the welfare and betterment of the German Shepherd Dog. As a member of the WUSV, the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs, through its affiliation with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the WDA provides enthusiasts a framework for activities in the United States patterned after those available to the world-wide GSD community.

WDA member clubs host schutzhund trials, conformation shows and breed surveys in keeping with the Total Dog Concept. This concept supports a dog that conforms to the breed standard and is also proficient in working skills, such as herding, tracking, obedience, or protection. Since the German Shepherd Dog was intended to be a working dog, our club activities are designed to preserve the necessary genetic vigor and characteristics of the breed.

Since its inception in 1982, the GSDCA-WDA has accepted working titles obtained in trials sponsored by other schutzhund organizations such as the Verein fuer Deutsche Schaeferhunde (SV) in Germany, DVG and United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA). All score-books issued by these organizations are accepted by the GSDCA-WDA, as are earned titles awarded by any trial judge certified by the SV, DVG, or USCA. Although recognized by GSDCA-WDA, the SV does not recognize schutzhund titles or AD's awarded by DVG and USCA judges as valid prerequisites for Breed Surveys conducted under SV Kormeisters.

The WDA provides clubs with qualified Trial and Conformation Judges for sanctioned events. A Judges Program trains and certifies WDA members as authorized judges. Clubs may also schedule certified Judges and Koermeisters for WDA events through an arrangement made with the SV.

WDA clubs are organized into 9 regions. Members within each region are represented by Regional Directors on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is also composed of the WDA's elected Officers and General Directors assigned by the GSDCA. The Board appoints various Board Members to serve on the Executive Committee which makes policy recommendations to the full Board for their approval. In addition to the Eecutive Committee, several standing Committees have been formed to assist in governing the organization. And an Office Administrator has been installed to oversee and direct the administrative operations of the organization.