ZTP

The meaning and purpose of the ZTP is to ascertain those Dobermanns which are – according to the breeding goal (breed standard) – suitable for breeding, and to eliminate unsuitable dogs from the breeding program. ZTPs can only be judged by breed judges. The judge and the helper shall be named by the test giving club’s official committee. ZTPs can only be held, if authorisation from the DV has been given and the event has been published and deadlines have been adhered to. Additionally, ZTPs should only be held if there are at least 10 dogs expected to participate. The maximum number of dogs to be judged in one day shall be 20. ZTP test-date applications to the DV must include the name and address of the test giving club, as well as the name of the ZTP test chairperson, the name of the judge, and the deadline for entries. The exact location and start time of the ZTP test shall also be included. ZTPs are independent events. They cannot be held in conjunction with conformation shows or Schtzhund trials. The ZTP can only be carried out if, on the day of the test, the judge is presented with at least 8 dogs, and if the test location is deemed suitable for the test. The ZTP judge shall be responsible for determining the suitability of the test location. All Dobermann which have been bred according to the breeding requirements of the DV and have been properly X-rayed for hip-dysplasia, can participate in the ZTP. The results of the X-rays have to be submitted on the day of the test. Furthermore there has to be a successful test of obedience (BH). Foreign bred Dobermanns, whose owners have their permanent residence in Germany, have to have proper transfer papers. Foreign bred Dobermanns can participate in any ZTP, as long as all DV requirements have been met. The minimum age for dogs participating in a ZTP is 14 months. Dogs which have been “Held-Back” (did not pass) at an earlier ZTP, can only be re-entered once their waiting period has expired. Dogs which do not pass the ZTP the second time they are judged, cannot be entered again. The test chairperson checks the required documents and prepares the test papers. S/He is also responsible for the uninterrupted completion of the entire test, as well as the availability of all equipment necessary for the test. A suitable Schutzhund helper has to be available!! There has to be an insurance for this test. All dogs in the testing location have to be kept so as not to disturb the testing in any way. Prong collars are not permitted on dogs, during any part of the test.

Test Procedure

1. Examination for the Conformation Ratings
2. Temperament Testing
Reasons for elimination of a dog are further discussed later in this writing.
Aggressive, shy or fearful dogs shall be excluded from breeding.
3. Determination and announcement of ZTP ratings.

If the ZTP is held the day before a Conformation show with the same judge, and the same dog is entered in both the ZTP and conformation show, then the ZTP rating will be announced the day of the Conformation show.. Dogs will be judged first, followed by bitches. The observations of the judge shall be entered in the ZTP papers and signed by the test chairperson. The decision of the judge and his conformation and temperament ratings are indisputable. Objections regarding formal errors must be brought to the test chairperson’s attention the day of the test. If a resolution cannot be achieved, the matter is to be presented to the officers of the DV for a decision. The ZTP rating is applicable for the duration of the dog’s breeding age, unless revoked by a DV committee, because of newly discovered or earlier concealed genetic faults. The revocation of a ZTP rating must be made in writing to the owner via a registered letter. No dogs owned by the judge or his immediate family can participate in a test judged by him. After conclusion of the test, its results are to be given to each dog’s owner, co-owner or handler. A duplicate has to be sent to the DV within 3 days following the test. Another duplicate shall be given or sent to the officiating judge. All financial matters shall be settled immediately.

Judging Rules and Performance Regulations

Prior to the start of the ZTP, the judge briefly explains to all competitors the meaning and purpose of the test, and the exercises involved. At the start of testing the competitor and his dog report to the judge. The test chairperson checks the authenticity of the dog’s pedigree with use of the dog’s tattoo. In a conversation with the handler the judge informs himself of the training, care and possible changes in ownership of the dog presented to him. The conformation evaluation is done according to the guidelines set forth by the governing club, its rules and regulations and breed standard. Special attention should be paid to faults which would affect working ability, such as a weak muzzle, long weak back, faults to front and rear legs as well as bad movement!! Deviations in body dimensions by more than 2cm have to be judged by reduction of conformation ratings. Greater deviations are leading to exclusion from breeding. Dogs with faults of their dentition – such as less than 42 teeth, deviations in the tooth pattern, or overshot/undershot bites, are to be deemed unsuitable for breeding purposes. The behaviour of the dog during the examination of the mouth is to be specially noted, as it may serve as an indication for certain temperament problems.

Minimum rating required for males: Very good

Minimum rating required for females: Good

After the conformation evaluation the judge will instruct the handler to lead his dog in different directions over the testing area for a duration of about 300 paces, with the dog’s leash being held loosely. During this walk, the dog/handler team has to encounter 4 to 6 persons who are either moving or stationary. After this, those 4 to 6 persons will form a group. The group formation should not be in any particular stiff and rigid pattern. Here the judge is encouraged to vary the proceedings, in as much as he orders the movement of the group towards the handler with his dog, or the movement of the handler/dog team in the group. During the stop in the group, it is important to create situations which are as natural as possible, such as they occur in day to day life (i.e. meeting a stranger by shaking his hand, dropping of items, opening of an umbrella, etc.) During above said exercise it is particularly important not to show any threat towards the dog. It shall strictly be used to evaluate the dog’s self-confidence, fearlessness, temperament, obedience and threshold of stimulation. After this the judge orders the handler and his dog to the previously determined tie-out location, where the handler ties up the dog without the use of obedience commands such as “down” or “Platz”, and goes out of sight of his dog. During the time the handler and dog are walking to the tie-out location, two gunshots shall be discharged from a suitable distance of about 15 paces, using 6mm ammunition. Gun-shy dogs are unsuitable for breeding; gun-sensitivity is to be strictly distinguished from gun-shyness.

The tie-out location is to be freely accessible from all sides (i.e. away from walls, fences, etc.)

!!The dog has to be left alone for about 5 minutes. The judge shall approach the dog from a distance of about 5 to 8 steps, and either pass him or walk around him at a distance of approximately 2 to 3 steps, without threatening him in any way!! He stops in front of or beside the dog, drops an exercise book or something similar. The behaviour of the dog in the absence of its handler is to be specially observed. After this, the handler shall return to his dog and take him out of the testing area. At the direction of the judge the helper shall proceed to the hiding place.

Part 1.
The judge will direct the handler to walk his dog into a specific direction. The dog shall be on a leash. At the direction of the judge, the helper will now come out of the hiding place and attack the handler and dog from the front. The dog should show his protective instincts and protect his handler. The helper starts threatening the dog only after he has engaged the fight. During the fight the dog will be threatened verbally and physically, but does not receive any stick-hits. Upon order from the judge, the helper stops the attack.

Part 2.
The helper now turns away, and starts running a distance of about 50 paces. The handler holds the dog by his collar only, first shouting at the helper to stop, then sending the dog. The helper flees first, but at the direction of the judge turns and attacks the dog, when he is as close as approximately 8 to 10 steps. The helper tries to threaten the dog again, however even here there shall be no stick-hits used.
The handler may, at his discretion, encourage the dog verbally. Upon order from the judge, the helper shall stop the attack. The handler shall return to the dog, place him back on the leash and report back to the judge.

Notes for Part 1:
It is very important that the helper wears a protective suit consisting of pants and jacket. The stick used for threatening shall not be too bendable. The helper must carry insurance for this test-work. The hiding place shall definitely be variable so that no pattern training of local club dogs can be done. Cars, corners or recesses of walls or tree/shrub groups can be selected for this purpose. The helper can only work upon order from the judge, in other words, the attack and the end position are determined by the judge. The attack will always be done towards the front of the handler, not the dog. If the dog engages in the fight, the helper will turn towards the front of the dog and threaten him verbally and physically. The stick can be used only as threat but never to actually hit the dog. The dog is allowed to bite the helper in locations other than the arm.

Notes for Part 2:
The helper must go to about 50 paces distance. The judge will instruct the helper as to when to launch the attack on the dog, at which time the helper must threaten the dog verbally and physically. The stick will again be used as threat only.

Character Classification

There are four possible classifications:
1A
1B
Held-Back
Unsuitable for Breeding

1A
Dogs which are overall correct. A “1A” can only be awarded to a dog which gives a completely sure and correct impression in the static as well as the fighting periods of the test.

1B
Dogs which are overall sufficient. A “1B” will be awarded to a dog which performs acceptably in the static periods of the test and shows some protective and fighting drives.

Held-Back
Dogs must be rated “Held-Back if there is sufficient doubt about the dog’s behaviour as it relates to soundness of temperament and breed-suitability. A dog so rated may not be shown to another judge until the expiration of a 3 month waiting period. A dog can only be rated “Held-Back” one time.

Unsuitable for Breeding
Shy, nervous and timid dogs cannot be rated suitable for breeding.