Originally Posted by Rosemary

Okay, as some of you might know, I'd like to do IPO tracking with Ilka, but I have some questions about the process (trials, not actual training). Please, forgive my "newness" and possibly annoying questions.

1) She's got her AKC Canine Partners listing number (she's a mutt). Is that all I need, or do I have to register her with one of the organizations that put on trials?

If she's a mutt the AKC listing means nada and you won't need to provide paperwork. You need to register yourself for membership with one of the organizations, preferably with one that provides a mixed breed book. Unless you're expecting to compete at the national championship any of the orgs will do. Folks wanting to compete at the AWDF national with mixed breeds or breeds without a breed club must do so as part of the DVG team.

2) If I need to register her, who do I register her with? Do they accept each other's registrations?

If you opt for a DVG book you'll also need to find a local club, there are no independent memberships, you must belong to a club.

If you opt for UScA you just need to pay the membership and score book fees, no club affiliation is required. On the order form linked you would want the 1st book type listed in the box [1.) AWDF/USA Scorebook-issued if you have a GSD. Any other breed will be marked as Mixed], and you should be able to use it at any other org's trials. For UScA if you have any questions regarding their process / policies you can contact Jody at the main office, she is very helpful. Tel 314.638.9686 / Email Scorebook@GermanShepherdDog.com

3) I understand dogs must be identified by either a tattoo or microchip. She is microchipped with a Bayer ResQ chip. Would I need to have a scanner, or would the trial-giving club have one? Would it be easier if I just go ahead and have her tattooed with her AKC number? If I have her tattooed, where does the tattoo have to be?

Microchips are fine and many dogs have only that for identification. Most clubs have scanners, but it is technically not their responsibility to provide one. If you opt for a tattoo, I'd have it done in the ear and you can choose any number / alpha sequence or combination thereof, you'll just need to indicate what the tattoo is when you fill out the forms to get her a scorebook.

4) Would whomever I register her with issue her a scorebook, or would I get that at her first trial? Would that book be for any trial by any organization, or would I need one for each organization? (Maybe the answer to this in the IPO rulebook, and I just missed it?)

You'll need to get a membership to one of the organizations (UScA, DVG, etc.) and a scorebook before you ever trial. Depending upon which org you get a scorebook from, it may need to be cross-certified or not (i.e. DVG scorebooks need to be stamped for use in UScA trials, etc.).

5) She'd have to pass a BH before we did anything else, right?

Yes.

6) Am I nuts?

Originally Posted by Rosemary

I haven't contacted any clubs yet, but I think the closest one is in the Houston area (which means a two hour drive). I won't be able to do anything until after January, but I wanted to get an idea of what-all was involved in geting a scorebook, etc.

Originally Posted by Rosemary

Thanks for the help, everyone. Sonterra, if you know it, could you please send me (via PM) the contact info for the people you mentioned?

I notice nobody has touched on question #6, though.