Schutzhund to me is a way of life. Not that I'm any good at it (yet!) but what I find so amazing is that at every new plateau I get to, I make the realization that there is so much more to learn. It is a way for me to spend time with my best buddies, really learn what they are about, understand more about canine behavior and having fun. As Schutzhund is a three phase sport, it allows us to really utilize the whole dog; their natural abilities all come into play. When you can put all these pieces together, while maintaining the dog's drives and not suppressing them, it is a beautiful thing. What a way to spend one's time (assuming you love dogs!).

Mid-Atlantic Working Dog Club is a great club. The training is super, the members are polite, humble and intelligent folks who enjoy their dogs for who they are and are trying to make them the best that they can be.

On the side (!), I am a veterinarian in Bel Air, MD and have an obedience training school at the same location. I am currently working Frank, a 2 1/2 year old unregistered, but well-bred malinois (Klemm grandson) and Andy, a registered daughter of Yagus van de Duvetorre. Same breed, same sport, but entirely different dogs!

In addition to working my own dogs, I have been lucky and healthy enough to be able to do some helper work too. I have done the ScH III front-half at the 2004 Northeast Regionals, the back-half at the 2005 Dobermann Nationals and the 2005 AWDF ScH I's. Helper work is fun, allows me to help friends with their dogs and teaches me more and more about canine behavior.