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About Us
The Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America's stated purpose is to promote responsibility and good sportsmanship in the breeding, training and exhibition of the Dutch Shepherd under the breed standard established and approved by the United Kennel Club in 1995. We strongly agree the breed must be preserved in its current functional form, and believe the United Kennel Club outlook of promoting dogs that look AND perform equally well is the best path to follow in preserving this working dog's mind, body and heart.
We are honored the United Kennel Club has appointed the DUTCH SHEPHERD DOG CLUB OF AMERICA as the Provisional National Breed Association for the Dutch Shepherd (US-0123 CON NA). The DSDCA was originally approved as a Single Breed Provisional Conformation Club in May 2012 and became a fully licensed Conformation Club in March 2014. We are now following the additional process required to achieve full National Breed Association status.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America shall be to promote responsibility and good sportsmanship in the breeding, training and exhibition of Dutch Shepherd dogs in the United States and surrounding areas under the breed standard established and approved by the United Kennel Club in 1995.
Our goals are:
A. To serve as the United Kennel Club National Breed Association for the Dutch Shepherd
B. To educate members and to urge breeders to adhere to the standard of the breed as approved by The United Kennel Club as the standard of excellence
C. To confer honor upon worthy Dutch Shepherd dogs and their owners/trainers, and to aid members of the Club to attain UKC conformation and performance degrees through cooperative training and mutual support
D. To promote fair play and good sportsmanship over individual gain, and to join the competitive spirit within the fun environment of United Kennel Club events
E. To provide a forum for fellowship and friendship among owners and fanciers of the Dutch Shepherd breed in the United States and around the world
To fulfill this Mission, we promise:
1) To hold licensed UKC events that will be run in accordance with all the rules, policies and procedures of the United Kennel Club. (This includes, but is not limited to, Breed Standards and the rules for all Conformation and Performance events.)
2) To promote and encourage the breeding, training and showing of UKC registered Dutch Shepherds by communicating with DSDCA members through club member newsletters, health and breed seminars, internet websites, social media pages, etc.
3) To strive and maintain the Dutch Shepherd breed as a breed separate and distinct from others of similar origin due to the breed’s unique physical conformation, body type, working qualities and other unique characteristics.
4) To promote general health and genetic awareness within the breed by supporting health-related studies related to the Dutch Shepherd. Gather and disseminate information and data from relevant scientific research in canine genetics and psychology pertinent maintenance, development, training, breeding and enhancement of the Dutch Shepherd breed.
5) To promote the physical health of the breed through recommended breeding criteria which take into consideration evaluations for canine Hip and Elbow dysplasia certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (commonly known as “OFA”) and genetic testing for Dutch Shepherd IM: Inflammatory Myopathy (Myositis), the results of which are also cataloged on the OFA website.
6) The club will not hold any other registry’s events on the same day/location as that of any UKC event without the prior approval of UKC.
7) To dismiss from our membership without hesitation those who violate these by-laws and the principles of good sportsmanship including fair and honest conduct.
8) We reserve the right to refuse any entry in our competitions, as well as membership in this Club to any individual, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and members. However, no person will be refused entry or membership on a basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age or national origin.
B. To educate members and to urge breeders to adhere to the standard of the breed as approved by The United Kennel Club as the standard of excellence
C. To confer honor upon worthy Dutch Shepherd dogs and their owners/trainers, and to aid members of the Club to attain UKC conformation and performance degrees through cooperative training and mutual support
D. To promote fair play and good sportsmanship over individual gain, and to join the competitive spirit within the fun environment of United Kennel Club events
E. To provide a forum for fellowship and friendship among owners and fanciers of the Dutch Shepherd breed in the United States and around the world
To fulfill this Mission, we promise:
1) To hold licensed UKC events that will be run in accordance with all the rules, policies and procedures of the United Kennel Club. (This includes, but is not limited to, Breed Standards and the rules for all Conformation and Performance events.)
2) To promote and encourage the breeding, training and showing of UKC registered Dutch Shepherds by communicating with DSDCA members through club member newsletters, health and breed seminars, internet websites, social media pages, etc.
3) To strive and maintain the Dutch Shepherd breed as a breed separate and distinct from others of similar origin due to the breed’s unique physical conformation, body type, working qualities and other unique characteristics.
4) To promote general health and genetic awareness within the breed by supporting health-related studies related to the Dutch Shepherd. Gather and disseminate information and data from relevant scientific research in canine genetics and psychology pertinent maintenance, development, training, breeding and enhancement of the Dutch Shepherd breed.
5) To promote the physical health of the breed through recommended breeding criteria which take into consideration evaluations for canine Hip and Elbow dysplasia certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (commonly known as “OFA”) and genetic testing for Dutch Shepherd IM: Inflammatory Myopathy (Myositis), the results of which are also cataloged on the OFA website.
6) The club will not hold any other registry’s events on the same day/location as that of any UKC event without the prior approval of UKC.
7) To dismiss from our membership without hesitation those who violate these by-laws and the principles of good sportsmanship including fair and honest conduct.
8) We reserve the right to refuse any entry in our competitions, as well as membership in this Club to any individual, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and members. However, no person will be refused entry or membership on a basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age or national origin.
Breeder Code of Ethics
The United Kennel Club expects all breeders of UKC registered dogs to adopt and adhere to the UKC Breeder’s Code of Ethics to promote and foster high standards among breeders, owners, and fanciers in their improvement and advancement of UKC dog breeds.
RECORDSI will keep accurate records, retain those records for a minimum of the life of the dog, and make them available to UKC upon request. These records will include, but are not limited to: stud service documents, pedigrees, all litters produced, breeding and whelp dates, and all dogs/puppies sold. I may use the “Breeder’s Record” that the UKC provides to assist in maintain these records.
BREEDING• I shall plan each breeding with the paramount intention of improving the breed.• I will select the stud dog and brood bitch with an eye to conformation, temperament and working instinct and ability, with a careful study of the breed standard and the principles of genetics.• I will not breed any male or female until they are both physically and mentally mature, and will breed within the bounds of the minimum and maximum ages permitted in the UKC Registration Policies.• I will not breed dogs with serious defects or disqualifications addressed in their breed standards.• As a responsible breeder, I will refrain from using a dog that, although free from serious or disqualifying defects, consistently produces afflicted puppies.• I will only breed dogs that are UKC registered and all litters will be UKC registered whenever possible.
HEALTH• I will maintain high standards of health and care for my dogs, and provide puppies to buyers that are free from disease and parasites.
SALES• I will be discriminating in the sales of my puppies, and concerned with the type of homes in which they are placed. My dogs/puppies will not be sold to dog wholesalers, retailers, or pet shops.• I will refrain from releasing any puppy until it is the minimum age as required by my state’s law. ADVERTISING AND RELATIONS• My advertising of dogs/puppies will be factual and honest, both in substance and implication.• I believe breeding purebred dogs involves certain responsibilities, which I take very seriously.• I will not advertise my dogs/puppies as UKC registered if they are not.• As a breeder, I will encourage dog/puppy purchasers to become involved in UKC events and to embrace the Total Dog philosophy. IMPLEMENTATIONThis Code of Ethics is intended as an expression of goals for breeders, owners, and fanciers.
BREEDING• I shall plan each breeding with the paramount intention of improving the breed.• I will select the stud dog and brood bitch with an eye to conformation, temperament and working instinct and ability, with a careful study of the breed standard and the principles of genetics.• I will not breed any male or female until they are both physically and mentally mature, and will breed within the bounds of the minimum and maximum ages permitted in the UKC Registration Policies.• I will not breed dogs with serious defects or disqualifications addressed in their breed standards.• As a responsible breeder, I will refrain from using a dog that, although free from serious or disqualifying defects, consistently produces afflicted puppies.• I will only breed dogs that are UKC registered and all litters will be UKC registered whenever possible.
HEALTH• I will maintain high standards of health and care for my dogs, and provide puppies to buyers that are free from disease and parasites.
SALES• I will be discriminating in the sales of my puppies, and concerned with the type of homes in which they are placed. My dogs/puppies will not be sold to dog wholesalers, retailers, or pet shops.• I will refrain from releasing any puppy until it is the minimum age as required by my state’s law. ADVERTISING AND RELATIONS• My advertising of dogs/puppies will be factual and honest, both in substance and implication.• I believe breeding purebred dogs involves certain responsibilities, which I take very seriously.• I will not advertise my dogs/puppies as UKC registered if they are not.• As a breeder, I will encourage dog/puppy purchasers to become involved in UKC events and to embrace the Total Dog philosophy. IMPLEMENTATIONThis Code of Ethics is intended as an expression of goals for breeders, owners, and fanciers.
Breed Registry
United StatesThe kennel club of registry for the Dutch Shepherd in the United States is the United Kennel Club, having first published their breed standard on January 1, 1995. The United Kennel Club was established in 1898, and is the largest all-breed, performance-dog registry in the world... registering dogs from all 50 U.S. states and 25 foreign countries. More than 60% of its nearly 16,000 annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training, and instinct. UKC-registered Dutch Shepherds successfully compete in agility, conformation, dock jumping, lure coursing, nosework, obedience, precision coursing, rally obedience, shed hunting, weight pull and previously in protection/police dog events through the now-defunct Dog Sport program. The Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America reveals that the UKC reflects 2,198 permanently registered Dutch Shepherds in their archives, but indicates the number of active Dutch Shepherds (under the age of 12) totals 1,328 dogs (as of June 1, 2023).
FCI The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is an overseeing entity for many international purebred dog breed registries, including the Dutch Kennel Club (Raad van Beheer). The FCI itself is not a registry and does not issue pedigrees; instead, the FCI has 90 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issues its own pedigrees and trains its own judges. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the breed standards that are used as reference for judges at shows held in FCI member countries. Some member countries have an open studbook by which dogs can be registered based on appearance, and other FCI member countries have closed studbooks. The Dutch studbooks were closed on February 1, 1971. The goal of the FCI is, in part, ‘to protect the use, the keeping, and the breeding of purebred dogs in the countries where the FCI has a member or a contract partner’. The United States is NOT an FCI member or contract partner.
As of 2012, the Dutch Shepherd is being recorded by the American Kennel Club in their Foundation Stock Service (FSS), accepting pedigrees from some FCI members as eligibility, but declining membership to dogs with pedigrees from certain other FCI member countries. FSS breeds are not eligible for AKC registration, but once individually registered under the FSS program, a Dutch Shepherd is able to compete in the AKC companion events of obedience, tracking, agility, and rally. The American Kennel Club board of directors voted their approval on January 16, 2016 of moving the Dutch Shepherd to the Miscellaneous Class effective January 1, 2017 and has designated the American Dutch Shepherd Association as the AKC Parent Club for the breed. In March 2024, the American Kennel Club's FSS database reflected a total of 854 Dutch Shepherds recorded, with 774 of them having 3 generations listed.
FCI The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is an overseeing entity for many international purebred dog breed registries, including the Dutch Kennel Club (Raad van Beheer). The FCI itself is not a registry and does not issue pedigrees; instead, the FCI has 90 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issues its own pedigrees and trains its own judges. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the breed standards that are used as reference for judges at shows held in FCI member countries. Some member countries have an open studbook by which dogs can be registered based on appearance, and other FCI member countries have closed studbooks. The Dutch studbooks were closed on February 1, 1971. The goal of the FCI is, in part, ‘to protect the use, the keeping, and the breeding of purebred dogs in the countries where the FCI has a member or a contract partner’. The United States is NOT an FCI member or contract partner.
As of 2012, the Dutch Shepherd is being recorded by the American Kennel Club in their Foundation Stock Service (FSS), accepting pedigrees from some FCI members as eligibility, but declining membership to dogs with pedigrees from certain other FCI member countries. FSS breeds are not eligible for AKC registration, but once individually registered under the FSS program, a Dutch Shepherd is able to compete in the AKC companion events of obedience, tracking, agility, and rally. The American Kennel Club board of directors voted their approval on January 16, 2016 of moving the Dutch Shepherd to the Miscellaneous Class effective January 1, 2017 and has designated the American Dutch Shepherd Association as the AKC Parent Club for the breed. In March 2024, the American Kennel Club's FSS database reflected a total of 854 Dutch Shepherds recorded, with 774 of them having 3 generations listed.
Meeting Our Goals
United Kennel Club National Breed Association Requirements
Register of Merit
Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America REGISTER of MERIT Program (ROM)
Breeder of Merit
Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America BREEDER of MERIT Program
