WHAT IS THE AMERICAN WORKING DOG FEDERATION?

Gary Patterson

The Invisible Guardian—

Throughout America, whether it be in law enforcement, national security, search and rescue or people just having fun with their dogs, the working dog plays an important and distinctive role. Within a few hours after September 11th, over 350 working dogs were covering the ruins of theWorld Trade Center searching for survivors. All over this country, lost children and hikers are rescued by highly trained working dogs. Criminals are apprehended. War zones are secured. Contraband is discovered. Throughout the world they can be found serving people in ways that cannot be reproduced by any method that doesn't involve a trained dog on a handler's lead. The question that the public and dog critics never ask is: "What are these dogs? Where do they come from?"

In the past 100 years, the modern working dog was created by a dedicated group of dog breeders and trainers who recognized the unique abilities of certain breeds and became committed to honing those dogs and their skills to a level that is now irreplaceable.

Much of this early work came fromEurope and visionaries who saw the potential of the working dog in a way the general public could never comprehend. Yet their dedication paid off by making the modem working dog the most efficient, but often ignored, part of protecting the safety and security of all society. Despite the best efforts of those involved in the working dog movement, this guardian still remains invisible to most people and there must be an ongoing effort to protect this valuable contributor to our modern world.

The Role of the American Working Dog Federation

While recognizing the contributions of the Europeans in the history and development of the working dog, many Americans felt that with a country so different and large, an independent voice was needed to create an organization that could integrate the European heritage of working dogs into a program that meets the modern needs of this country.

The AWDF was founded in 1989 as an effort to meet these needs and has grown to the largest working dog organization in North American. In this short period, it has accomplished goals that were previously thought unattainable:

  • It now has over 10,000 individual members;
  • It has 14 club members representing a cross section of the working dog movement, including working dog breed organizations, sport organizations and training clubs. This broad representation is only the beginning with the expectation that other breed, utility and training organizations will join in the effort;
  • It has 17 working dog judges who are recognized internationally by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) together with scores of other working dog and breed event judges who are members of AWDF club affiliates;
  • It has gained recognition by the FCI and regularly participates in FCI sanctioned dog competitions while many of its individual members, on behalf of AWDF, are currently working with the FCI Commission for Utility Dogs in carrying out its goals;
  • Its members participate in international working dog and breed events which recognize the AWDF as representing theUnited States. Further, these participants have been highly successful, placing and winning in the most prestigious working dog events in the world; and
  • On February 4, 2008, it formalized a working dog trial program in which individual members can compete for American working dog titles, comparable to programs now existing inEurope and the FCI.

AWDF is an umbrella organization dedicated to assisting its member clubs in their development. At the same time, it takes on the responsibility of working on matters of national and international interest and concern that no one person or individual club has the resources or authority to deal with. AWDF does hold a few working dog events, but only as an opportunity for our members to join together and compete with each other or qualify for international competitions in which AWDF members are allowed to participate. These events are big, fun and demonstrate that American breeders and trainers don't take a back seat to anyone.

The Goals of AWDF

The purposes for founding AWDF continue to this day.

1.     The development of a unified American working dog movement.

2.     The participation in and promotion of international working dog utility, sport and conformation events.

3.     The emphasis and protection of the role of the American working dog in America, especially in working with the general public and local, state and federal policy makers.

These goals may sound few in number or obvious, but the challenges they pose will take years to achieve in any meaningful way.

What Can You Do To Help The American Working Dog?

First you should decide what is important to you and what you are good at. Do you have a background in breeding, training, administration, fund raising or working with governmental agencies or law enforcement? You may take these skills for granted, but they are valuable and needed assets at AWDF. Are you involved in a working dog organization that you think could contribute something to the overall goals of AWDF? There is no limitation on the character of the work any organization might have if it advances the goals of AWDF and the working dog movement. Currently, AWDF is soliciting membership from many diverse organizations in law enforcement and search and rescue. Could your organization make an important contribution?

There are a multitude of committees within AWDF on which you could serve and, if there is no current committee that appeals to you, talk to us and we will try to create one to advance your interests.

Lastly, there is always the issue of resources. AWDF currently sends representatives to international conventions and meetings for the purposes of furthering the American and international working dog agenda. In addition, the organization helps participants in international events by defraying the costs of travel and uniforms. If you know of ways to raise funds for these needs or can make personal contributions, please contact us. Any growing organization with such ambitious goals is always short of funds to further the good work we are trying to do.

No matter what your interests, resources or background, the American working dog needs you and cannot succeed without you. Help make the working dog visible in America.