Schutzhund
Ausdauerprufung (Endurance Test): An article by Allyson Tohme
I expect many people exercise their dog on a bike, which is an excellent method of fitness training, provided of course that the dogs are of a suitable age and that the public highway is not used. (My personal opinion is that dogs such as Weimaraners should not start this prior to 18 months old). I am lucky enough to have a disused airstrip at my disposal and a folding bike! I became aware that the AD test was being put on at various venues around the country and decided that I would like to enter my dog at the next opportunity.
The AD award is not a training degree but was designed for show and breeding requirements and is a part of the scheme of versatility tests for working dogs on the Continent and elsewhere. The purpose is to demonstrate that a dog is able to perform physical exertion of a certain level without manifesting substantial symptoms of fatigue afterwards. The ability to endure sustained physical effort is tangible evidence of health and the presence of desired characteristics such as spirit and toughness which are prerequisites for the performance dog.
Dogs must be aged between 16 months and 6 years old and the distance for large dogs is 20 km (12.4 miles), which must be completed at a speed of 12 to 15 km/hour (7.4 to 9.3 miles/hour).
The dogs run on lead at a normal trot next to the bike; a fast pace is to be avoided. The lead should be held at an appropriate length so that the dog has the possibility to adapt its stride to the speed. Light pulling on the line (forging) is not incorrect; however, constant lagging behind of the dog is faulty.
On 16 April 2006 a small group of people and their dogs including 3 Rottweilers, 1 Belgian Malinois and a Long Haired Weimaraner gathered together on a cycle path next to a dual carriageway near Warrington in the hopes that we would attain the AD. Twiggy lead the way being a long striding dog and indeed we completed the bulk of the course with the brakes on, only letting them off when we went uphill!
During the test the judge observed our progress from a car in order to ensure that the health and welfare of the dogs was not compromised (any dogs that show signs of distress are prevented from continuing) and after concluding the distance the dogs were warmed down at a walk and examined by the judge for signs of fatigue and/or sore paws.
I am pleased to say that all the dogs were pronounced fit to continue and Twiggy once again made breed history by becoming the first Weimaraner in the UK to be awarded the AD title.
Article first published in Grey Matters Summer 06
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