~ The German Kennel Club ~

For more than 100 years now the VDH has been exerting a positive influence on life with a dog in Germany. The VDH has established itself as the greatest lobby group, as an institution rich in tradition and as a seal of quality, and is much sought after as an absolute authority on all matters relating to dogs. For professionals from the media, courts of justice, government ministries, local authorities and also for those simply interested in dogs – the VDH is the first point of contact for everyone.

Over 250 different breeds of dog are supervised through the VDH breeding clubs and bred under the strictest of controls. Right from the start the VDH and its member clubs have been forming decisions in favour of breeding regulations which, by international comparison, are extremely strict. The corresponding guidelines lend the highest priority to the health and protection of the animals.


The VDH represents Germany in the World Canine Organisation, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Currently 343 different breeds of dog are recognised by the FCI. For each breed there is a so-called standard, which describes an ideal specimen with regard to appearance and behaviour. The breed standards are overseen by the FCI member associations from the place of origin of the relevant breed. Germany sets the standards for 32 breeds of dog.

The VDH is a federally structured umbrella organisation which unites pedigree breeding clubs, dog sport associations, federal state associations as well as a number of extraordinary member clubs. Whilst it is not possible for individuals to become direct members of the VDH, they become affiliated through the membership of a breeding club or sports association.

The 175 member clubs of the VDH are composed as follows:

• 15 VDH federal state associations
• 157 pedigree breeding clubs supervising one or more breeds
• The German Dog Sport Association (DHV) and German Association of Working Dog Sport Clubs (DVG), which attend solely to dog training and sport
• Represented as an extraordinary member of the VDH: the Hunting Dog Association (JGHV), which is responsible for examination procedures for hunting dogs.

Their model involves: Competence, Passion, Openness, Tradition.
 

The training offered by the VDH is divided into two areas:

1. VDH-Academy
2. VDH-Kolleg

In the VDH-Academy, the courses are offered, which are within the core competence of the VDH and the education and training of farmers and volunteers in the VDH member clubs. This includes the areas of breeding, dog training and the exhibition industry.

The VDH College includes firstly practical offers of VDH, on the other hand offers VDH-Kolleg external organizers the opportunity to acknowledge seminars by the VDH and to upgrade through the issuance of certificates.

Qualified speakers of the VDH, the universities and the police, ensure in all seminars of a high technical level. More than 2,000 participants per year use the services of the VDH to undergo training on canine subjects or in practical seminars.

An overview of the VDH (in German) can be found here.