Fit-For-Breeding Test

Entry requirements:

• Minimum age for entry is 14 months.
• HD grade must be equal to B or better and the result must be known on the day of evaluation.
• Dogs held back at a previous test may not be reentered until the waiting period has expired.

Males are tested before females. The FFB certificate applies to the reproductive period of the dog unless a breeding ban is issued due to a hidden hereditary disorder not detected prior to the test. An annulment of the FFB certificate must be motivated in writing and addressed the dog’s owner by registered letter.

Guidelines and practical execution regulations:

The test is done according to the guidelines provided by the Executive Committee of the Danish Dobermann Club. Special weight must be given to working faults such as weak jaws, long soft (flexible) back, faulty front and hind legs and inadequate movement. A deviation of up to 2 cm. from standard size results in a deduction in the physical evaluation. Other deviations lead to a breeding ban. Dogs with dental faults - overshot, level bite, undershot, missing teeth according to dental chart and abnormalities in dental position - are unsuitable for breeding. Special weight is put on the dog's behaviour during dental check (with reference to following character evaluation).

Following the physical evaluation, the evaluator directs the handler to lead the dog in different directions across the test grounds over a distance of 300 steps. The leash must be held as loosely as possible. On their way, the dog meets 4-6 people spread across the grounds. They are either moving or standing still. Next, these people meet to form a group. The group dos not form according to a strict plan. The evaluator may vary the movement of the group. The group may for example move towards the handler at a suitable distance, or the handler moves inside the group. During the group work, it is important that the different situations occur naturally, pecisely the way it happens in daily life (greetings by hand shake, an object is dropped, an umbrella is put up etc.). During the above exercise it is important to make sure that the dog is not put under pressure. All that is tested is the dog's selfconfidence, boldness, temperament, leadability and threshold.

Then the handler and dog walk to a spot designated by the evaluator. The dog is tied (without the handler using commands such as "down"), and the handler moves out of the dog's vision. On their way to the tie-out, two 6-mm. shots are fired at a distance of at least 15 steps. Gun-shy dogs are unsuitable for breeding. A clear distinction is made between gun sensitive and gun-shy. The tie-out spot must be accessible from all sides (appropriate destance to fences, walls etc.). The isolation of the dog lasts a at least 5 minutes. At a distance of 5-8 steps, which are reduced to 2-3 steps, the evaluator walks passed the dog or around it without threatening it. The evaluator remains standing in front of or beside the dog and lets a note book or something similar drop. Special weight is put on the dog's behaviour during the absence of its handler. Then the handler leaves the test grounds with the dog.

The helper walks to the blind pointed out by the evaluator.

1. The evaluator requests that the handler walks in a certain direction with the dog. The dog is walked on a leash. On the evaluator's sign the handler is now attacked frontally by the helper, who initiates the attack from the blind. The intention is that the dog proves its need and ability to protect and defend its handler. The helper only threatens the dog once it has entered into the fight. The dog is threated acoustically and physically; however it will not receive any blows with the stick. The helper ends the attack on the evaluator's sign.

2. Next, the helper moves to a distance of approximately 50 steps. The handler holds the dog in its collar and sends it towards the helper with cry-outs. First the helper flees; then on a sign from the evaluator, the helper attacks the dog when it is at a distance of 8-10 steps. Again the helper threatens the dog, but this time too, the dog is not given a blow with the stick. The handler is allowed to encourage the dog by hollering. On the evaluator's sign the helper remains standing. The handler walks to the dog, leashes it and walks away.

The evaluation falls into two categories:

1A: Dogs who leave an overall correct impression. 1A is given only to the dog who leaves a confident, impeccable impression in the fights as well as in composure.

1B: Dogs whose overall chacter still lives up to the standard. 1B is given to the dog who displays a defensible character in composure and who displays defence and fighting drives

Held back: Dogs whose character creates a justifiable doubt of the required character stability and suitability for breeding must be held back. This type of dog must not be shown to any other evaluator until three months have expired. A dog may only be held back once.

Unsuitable for breeding: Aggressive, shy, nervous and/or cowardly dogs cannot be declared suitable for breeding.

FFB (=AEP) is a modified Danish version of the German ZTP