WAE Background

The Doberman Pinscher Club of America was formed principally to preserve and protect the Doberman Pinscher and to do all possible to bring its natural qualities to perfection.

The perfection we seek is embodied in three sets of characteristics: those of conformation, those of temperament, and those of trainability. This Register of Merit Award and Working Aptitude Evaluation Program has, as its fundamental purpose, the recognition of Dobermans having those natural qualities of beauty and functional utility that make the breed what it was intended to be.

In order to earn a Working Aptitude Certificate (WAC), a Doberman must demonstrate the characteristics required of a dog to be a stable companion and resolute protector.

ROM/WAE CHAIRPERSON
Julie Stade
DPCArom@dpca.org

WAE SECRETARY
Ellen Hanley
DPCAWAESecretary@dpca.org

ROM SECRETARY
Eve Auch
DPCAROMSecretary@dpca.org

Upcoming Evaluations

Information for Clubs

	Guide-Timeline-Tips
	Assistants Needed
	Equipment List
	Application

To schedule a WAE, a DPC Chapter Club appoints a WAE Coordinator. The coordinator contacts the DPCA WAE Secretary by email at DPCAWAESecretary@dpca.org , stating that the club wishes to schedule a WAE. The WAE Secretary will reply and send the following documents:

• Current list of approved WAE evaluators

• Application to sponsor a WAE (also available for download on this page)

• WAE Guide-Timeline-Tips (also available for download on this page)

Please read the WAE Guide, which provides an overview and may help with planning. The application is a fill-in form, so it will be easier for host clubs to complete and return via e-mail. You can download the latest version of Adobe Reader at http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO

Criteria for approving an application:

• Incomplete applications will not be approved.

• WAEs scheduled for the same date must be a minimum distance of 200 miles from each other.

• Applications may be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the requested date.

After the WAE Secretary receives a completed application, she will send a Letter of Approval and include additional documents needed to successfully host the event. Information about the scheduled WAE shall be published on the “Upcoming Evals “ tab.

EVALUATORS:

The WAE Secretary shall maintain the list of approved evaluators.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

List of Qualified WAE Evaluators

Eve Auch
Ray Carlisle
Zelda Casanova
David Horton
Pat Murphy-Cornelius
Corey McLennan
Grover McLin
Eric Peterson
John Schoeneman
Jessica Wilcock DVM

Information for Handlers

	Handling your Doberman through the WAE
	Handbook for Handlers
	Entry Form This is the official DPCA Working Aptitude Evaluation for Temperament Entry Form, which contains the waiver to publish passing scores on www.dpca.org as well as a release of liability. All who participate in a WAE must complete and sign this form. Failure to submit the official entry form will result in an invalid entry and no WAC will be issued if your dog should pass. Forms will be available at the evaluation site but it is recommended that you download the form, fill in the requested data, sign your name, and bring it with you to the evaluation along with copies of any titles you may wish to appear on your WAC. We hope this will save time on the day of the evaluation and reduce errors.

Performance Titles Qualifying for a ROM

In order to earn the title of ROM, a Doberman must attain its AKC Championship, pass the DPCA Working Aptitude Evaluation (WAE) and must have a qualifying working title.  Below is a list of the qualifying working titles:

It is the responsibility of the owner of the Doberman to submit all pertinent paper work to the ROM Secretary in order for a Doberman to be certified as a Register Of Merit. In order for your Doberman to qualify for this prestigious title, he or she must be an AKC Champion of Record, have earned an acceptable performance title and have passed the Working Aptitude Evaluation.

The owner needs to forward a copy of the AKC Championship certificate along with a copy of any allowed performance titles the dog has earned and a copy of the Working Aptitude Certificate to the ROM Secretary before the yearly August 1 deadline. When received and confirmed by the ROM Secretary, a letter will be issued to the owner. If you do not receive that letter within a reasonable period of time, please contact the ROM Secretary to see if there is a problem with the paper work.

Only an AKC championship qualifies the dog for this title. Canadian, Mexican, and International championships do not qualify. A list of acceptable performance titles is available on the DPCA website.

Eve Auch
11778 Tinkers Landing
Truckee CA 96161
Phone: 530-582-4942
Fax: 530-582-4762
Email: DPCARomSecretary@dpca.org

ROM Dobermans

In order to earn a Register of Merit (ROM) award from the DPCA, a Doberman must earn an AKC championship, an approved working title, and pass the Working Aptitude Evaluation.

To view a listing of ROM Dobermans, click here.

Suggested Reading on Temperament and Behavior

The following list of books is presented as the "basics" for an understanding of the subject matter of temperament and behavior. Books cannot substitute for observation, thinking, training and actual communicating, however. And this is as it should be when dealing with the phenomenal capability for observing minute changes in body language and gleaning from those changes volumes of meaning that our dogs have. In honor of their fidelity to us despite our frequent miscommunications, should we not also attempt the same?

There are many books already written about dog behavior and, it seems, more being published every day. This list is therefore by no means exhaustive. Nor is it a ringing endorsement of every concept set forth in the books listed.

Schutzhund vs. WAE

I have been asked to briefly explain the difference between the WAE and Schutzhund and their goals.

Both are tests of temperament! However, they differ completely in structure and purpose! The WAE is a basic temperament test that requires no training. Each dog is evaluated at 7 stations, manned by untrained helpers. Schutzhund however, requires extensive training and an experienced helper or "decoy". Schutzhund tests the dogs working ability and temperament under varying degrees of pressure applied by the "decoy."

The WAE tests the temperament of a UNTRAINED dog. The "evaluator" scores each dogs reaction at each of the 7 testing stations. No training is required, nor preferred, to properly evaluate the dogs temperament. A trained dogs reaction, to any portion of the test, can be misleading and defeat the purpose of the test! The WAE is designed to give owners and breeders a better understanding of the dogs temperament, but not it's working ability! A review of the test results will give a good understanding of the strengths and weakness of each dogs temperament. If you don't test, your guessing! Informed breeding decisions will produce better temperaments in our breed! The WAE is judged by a DPCA evaluator who has completed an apprentice program and has been approved by the DPCA board.

Schutzhund tests the dogs "working ability" and "temperament." Each phase of Schutzhund requires a trained dog and experienced handler. Team work is required for a successful passing score. Schutzhund is a 3 phase test. Tracking, obedience and protection! The untrained dog cannot and will not pass a Schutzhund test! Tracking requires training the dog to follow a scent on the path of the track layer and locate articles placed on the track. Obedience training is a fundamental or basic requirement at all Schutzhund phases and levels. The entry level (BH) training is comparable to the AKC obedience title "CD". The higher levels require more extensive training. All phases, tracking, obedience and protection, require a dog under the absolute control of the handler!

Schutzhund is judged by licensed judges that have been approved after an extensive apprenticing program.

Schutzhund requires well trained dogs and experienced handlers at all levels!

The WAE tests temperament only and not "Working" ability! The WAE and Schutzhund normally tests and evaluates the dog away from its home environment. Schutzhund is considered a "Sport" providing competitions all around the world. The WAE is not a sport, it is a DPCA temperament testing program designed by the late "Vic Monteleon" and approved by the DPCA board.

Yours for the Total Doberman,

Ray Carlisle

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