Obedience

Obedience emerged from the english verb `to obey´ which stands for taking orders (obeying). Obedience developed shortly after the First World War in England, where it still enjoys great popularity. Meanwhile there are two different kinds of Obedience:

 

1. English Obedience

    Biggest Competition: CRUFTS

2. FCI Obedience

    Biggest Competition: World Championship

 

Both are called Obedience and the aims are very similar, both resulting around perfect harmony between handler and dog, but contain different exercises.

In English Obedience the emphasis lies on heelwork and in FCI Obedience it lies in the technical exercises, e.g. send-away, retrieve etc.

The handler-dog team should build a perfect unit in both sports and should show highly motivated exercises.

 

I practice FCI Obedience with both of my dogs. This sport contains classical elements like heelwork and positions out of the heelwork, but also retrieving exercises and a scent discrimination. Especially the send-away, a set out square with cones and a ribbon, belong to the characteristic exercises of FCI Obedience.

 

In a competition the dog should carry out all of the exercises precise and joyfully. Harmony between handler and dog is very important.

 

Obedience can be practiced by every breed up to a certain ammount, from the Pomeranian to the Newfoundland I have seen lots of breeds in this sport. Every breed brings another charm to the mat. To compete in Obedience in Germany you need to have passed the Companion Dog Test (VdH). 

 

The highest class is the so called International Class 3.

It is made up of the following exercises:

  1. Sit in Group 20 Minutes Handler out of sight
  2. Down in Group 4 Minutes Handler out of sight
  3. Heelwork with different Elements
  4. Stand, Sit, Down out of Heelwork
  5. Recall with Stand and Down
  6. Send-away
  7. Directed Retrieve
  8. Retrieve over hurdle
  9. Sent discrimination
  10. Distant Control

 

How we started Obedience:

 

After Anouk and I passed our Companion Dog Test in the local dog club, we were invited to our very first Obedience lesson. This happend 6 years ago and the enthusiasm isn´t fading. On the contrary it is increasing with every year.