# Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen

Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH) is Germany's kennel club for dogs and represents Germany in the world federation Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). It is headquartered in Dortmund, Germany.
As the country-wide controlling body, the VDH represents 167 member organizations with more than 650,000 members. In addition, there are over 250 different breeds of dog in the VDH.

## History

On 16 July 1906 the de:Kartell der Stammbuchführender Spezialklubs für Jagd- und Nutzhunde was founded as the second German umbrella organization alongside the de:Delegierten-Commission; first president was de:Albert de Gingins. In 1914, the cartel changed its name to Kartell der Rassezuchtvereine und allgemeine Verbände and in 1925 to Deutsches Kartell für Hundewesen (DKH). After Hitler's seizure of power in 1933, the Reichsverband für die Deutsche Hundewesen (RDH) was established as a "unitary organization" and the DKH, Delegierten-Commission and Verband von Vereinen zur Prüfung von Gebrauchshunden zur Jagd were incorporated into these. The breed breeding societies became student councils. Hans Glockner is appointed chairman by the Reich Sportführer. In 1934 Glockner was elected by the FCI as its president. In 1937, the Reichsverband, from which the hunting federations had been separated, became the Reichsfachgruppe Deutsches Hundewesen e.V. (RDH) in the Reichsverband Deutscher Kleintierzüchter e.V.. Managing Director of the RDH Konrad Most was appointed in 1933 to the Reichsabrichtewart für Diensthunde. In 1939 the RDH was spun off from the Reichsverband Deutscher Kleintierzüchter e.V. and became independent as the Reichsverband für Hundewesen e.V. (RH). This was placed under the supervision of the High Command of the Army. In 1941, the RH resigned from the FCI.
Until 1941, de:Arno Manthey was president of the Reichsverband, after whose death Forstmeister Mueller was appointed president of the RH in November by order of Reichsführer SS and the dog trade of SS.
After the dissolution of the RH, ordered by the Allies, on 1 January 1946 was his board member Franz Bazille (1933 Reichsausstellungswart in the RDH) involved in the founding of the VDH on 11 June 1949. The former managing director of the DKH from 1933 Franz Bazille was appointed honorary president in 1952 and remained that until his death on 12 October 1952.

## Function

The Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen represents Germany in the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. As an umbrella organization of nationwide 176 member organizations (pedigree breed clubs and dog sport clubs), the VDH represents more than 650,000 members. Over 250 different dog breeds are looked after in the breeding clubs of the VDH.
The member associations of the VDH are the 16 VDH regional federations, 156 breed dog breeding societies as well as the de:Deutscher Hundesportverband and the de:Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine. In addition there are the extraordinary members of the de:Jagdgesichtshundverband (JGHV), which is responsible for the testing of hunting dogs, and two greyhound racing clubs.
In the breeding books of the member clubs in 2017 75,621 puppies were registered - bred according to the breeding regulations of the VDH and with appropriate throwing controls. According to the VDH, pedigrees of the VDH should ensure that the information contained therein is correct and that strict litter and breeding controls have been carried out.

## Breeder

According to the VDH, about 8,000 breeders are organized in 156 breeding clubs. For the breeding of dogs in the VDH there is a breeding order, which sets minimum requirements for the breeding, whose adherence is controlled. In addition, there are special breeding programs, the hereditary diseases of breed dogs to push back. the consortium of breed clubs (the working dog breeds) and utility dog associations (AZG). Their original task was to promote the Dienstgebrauchshundwesens, he working dog being in the VDH was their responsibility. Only clubs in the AZG were allowed to issue certificates of performance / performance certificates in the VDH and to carry out examinations with the awarding of recognized training marks, in particular the Versatility Test for Working Dogs . In the AZG is since 1998
Their original task was the promotion of service dog, the working dog being in the VDH was their responsibility. Only clubs in the AZG were allowed to issue certificates of performance / performance certificates in the VDH and to carry out examinations with the awarding of recognized training signs, in particular the Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde.
In the AZG is since 1998 The de:Begleithundprüfung i.e. compulsory examination, i.e. condition for participation in Dog sports. In 2008, AZG members had about 5000 practice sites in Germany.
In the meantime VDH there are separate committees for the different sports. The abbreviation AZG is used for the committee for the working dog being.

## Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Zuchtvereine und Gebrauchshundverbände

Within the VDH the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Zuchtvereine und Gebrauchshundverbände (AZG) existed since 30 September 1956. Their original task was to promote the working dog being in the VDH was their responsibility. Only clubs in the AZG were allowed to issue certificates of performance / performance certificates in the VDH and carry out examinations with the award of recognized training signs, in particular the Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde. In the AZG is since 1998 The de:Begleithundprüfung compulsory examination, i.e. condition for participation in dog sports. In 2008, the AZG members had about 5000 practice sites in Germany.
Members of the AZG:
* Allegeminer Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub
* Boxer-Klub
* Internationaler Boxer Klub
* Deutscher Bouvier-Club von 1977 (Bouvier des Ardennes and Bouvier des Flandres)
* de:Deutscher Hundesportverband
* Deutscher Malinois Club
* Dobermann-Verein
* de:Klub für Terrier
* Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub 1895
* Rassezuchtverein für Hovawart-Hunde
* de:Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde
The VDH now has its own committees for the various sports. The abbreviation AZG is used for the "Committee for the Working Dog".

## Literature

* Anne Dreesbach, Britta Kägler, Susanne Vers: Geschichte der Hunde. Vom Kaiserreich bis heute. 100 Jahre VDH. Kosmos (Franckh-Kosmos), Stuttgart 2007, ISBN 978-3440108703.