About German Shepherd Dog Club of Wisconsin

What the club is

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Wisconsin publishes its purpose in its own strapline: "German Shepherds well bred. . . well trained." It is a breed club rather than a commercial school, with club bylaws, standing rules, officers and a board, a newsletter called Shepherd Tales, a members' portal, a membership application and a club calendar all sitting alongside the training section. A Find a Breeder page carries a breeder code and states what the club expects of its recommended breeders: German Shepherd Dogs "bred for sound health and temperament," "properly socialized," and "vaccinated and well cared for."

The training it offers

The training page groups the work into five named types. Obedience is presented as the base for everything else – "Obedience training is the foundation for everything you want from your German Shepherd. Potty training, good manners, enjoyable walks with your dog, tricks, performance exercises, and competition exhibitions are examples of the result of successful obedience training." Conformation "classes teach you how to show your dog in the conformation (breed) ring," and the club notes that "they are useful to help young dogs develop confidence at an early age." Rally has its own class. Agility is described with its history – "Agility began in England in 1978 and is a fun competitive sport for both dogs and humans. The American Kennel Club (AKC) held its first agility trial in 1994." Tracking is described as "a canine sport that demonstrates a dog's natural ability to recognize and follow a scent," and the club adds that it "is the foundation of canine search and rescue work, along with other working service venues."

How training is organized

The site separates a general Training Description, a Training Schedule and a dedicated Beginners Schedule, so newcomers are routed differently from continuing handlers, and a GSDCW Puppy Programs page sits in the same menu. Alongside these the club maintains an AKC Titles & Awards form and a Brag Form for members to record results, and a PAL number page for dogs registered without full papers.

Club life

The wider site shows an active organization rather than a class list: club news and weather cancellations, a club calendar and premium for the year, club history, community events, membership options, an FAQ and a breed education section that explains the breed standard and the breed's origins with Captain Max von Stephanitz. The club describes the standard as "a 'word picture' of the important and unique characteristics of the breed" and "the 'blueprint' for the breeder and the guide for the exhibitor and knowledgeable owner."

Before you book

Class fees, session lengths and start dates are on the club's own schedule pages; check them or ask the club.