Prior to 1990, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) had a standing Schutzhund committee charged with preserving and protecting the working heritage of the Doberman Pinshcer. In those years the DPCA held an annual Schutzhund Trial in conjunction with their national specialty managed and run by this same committee. This all changed when the DPCA received a letter from the AKC, dated June 18, 1990. This notice, sent to all AKC licensed and Member Show and Obedience Trial giving clubs, had as its subject title, “Schutzhund and Schutzhund like Events.” It prohibited any AKC member club from sponsoring any type of event that contained an exercise “…in which a dog attacks, bites, grabs or is aggressive towards a person, …”
On August 26 1990 a dedicated group of working Doberman enthusiasts from throughout America and Canada, met in Chicago, Illinois with the purpose of forming a new national Doberman Club. One of the principle objectives would be, preserving and protecting the “Working Heritage” of the Doberman Pinscher. The meeting was run by Bill Knox and Ray Carlisle. A partial listing of attendees includes: Pat Murphy, Renee Tanner, Vic Monteleon, Nazarene Mondello, Lyn Hunter, Anita Chandler, May Jacobson, Nancy Christensen, Paul Combs, and Storm Bergin.
The United Doberman Club, Inc. was officially incorporated in the State of New York, on January 22, 1991, as a Not-for-Profit corporation. The first Board of Directors consisted of Ray Carlisle, Bill Knox, Carma Doyle, May Jacobson, Storm Bergen, Karen Benjamen and Renee Tanner. The UDC is now a member of the American Working Dog Federation (AWDF) and International Dobermann Club (IDC). As a member of these clubs UDC has sent working dog teams to compete in competitions held annually by those organizations.
After more than 20 years, the AKC reversed their position and now allows working dog competitions to be held in conjunction with AKC events. This change of heart by AKC comes after years of educating the AKC board that “Form follows Function.” Beauty and brains are equally important for a quality working dog. Perfection is the perfect balance of Structure and Mentality. After several years of AKC’s attempt to redevelop interest in holding their own ‘working dog sports, they now rely on their member clubs to educate their members of the importance. UDC is working with the DPCA hosting a working dog trial held in conjunction with the DPCA’s national show and convention.