Dog Sports in VDH

Die Durchführungsbestimmungen Doping (herunterzuladen unter Dopingbestimmungen » VDH.de) führen eine Reihe von Stoffgruppen auf. Diese Liste umfasst die allermeisten Medikamente mit Ausnahme von Antiparasitika oder den beim Hund üblichen Impfungen. Wird eine Substanz, die dieser Stoffgruppenliste zuzuordnen ist, bei einer Sportveranstaltung im Blut oder Harn eines Hundes nachgewiesen, führt dies grundsätzlich zu einem positiven Dopingbefund.

There is no list of doping-relevant active substances due to the enormous variety of different active substances and the constant discovery of new substances on the market. To ensure that rare and new substances are also covered by the VDH doping rules, a list of substance groups is used instead (see above). 

The list of substance groups is generally  limited to medicinally active substances. We cannot make a general judgement on the extent to which these are contained in food supplements for all food supplements available on the market. Therefore, in cases of doubt, it may be advisable to apply for a medical exemption authorisation (see below), even for food supplements. 

The doping laboratory carries out a qualitative and not a quantitative test for most of the substances analysed. This means that no titre of the measured substances is determined, but every detectable concentration leads to a positive dopingtest result. Accordingly, it is generally not possible to specify a lower limit above which a substance is categorised as doping-relevant. 

How long a given drug is detectable depends not only on the substance in question, but also on the characteristics of the dog that has been given the substance. Accordingly, it is not possible to make generally valid statements about doping-relevant dosages. In case of doubt, there is always the possibility of applying for a medical exemption licence (see below). If the exemption is granted, any subsequent detection of the substances listed in advance during a doping control will exempt the dog owner from sanctions. 

If you would like to compete with your dog in a sporting event despite long-term medication or short-term medication before the event, you can avoid the risk of a positive doping result and the associated penalties by applying for a medical exemption using the appropriate VDH form. 

You can apply for a medical exemption by sending an email to dopingtest@vdh.de at least 3 weeks before the first day of the competition. In addition to the relevant form, you will need a report from your vet stating the medication(s) administered, the dosage, the time or period of medication administration and the reason for treatment. 

The cost of an application is currently €208.25. In the case of long-term treatment, a follow-up application must be submitted annually, for which a processing fee of €32.00 is charged. You can find more detailed information about the procedure under www.vdh.de 

Firstly, the relevant form must be completed and submitted together with the veterinary treatment report containing the above information. Once the application has been submitted, your application will be reviewed by a veterinary pharmacologist. If the medication administered in the dosage used is not expected to have a performance-enhancing effect on your dog at the time of the event, the application will be granted. 

The examination of a possible performance-enhancing effect of medication and its duration is complex and must be carried out by a specialised veterinary pharmacologist. In order for this to be affordable, a corresponding fee must be charged for the derogation application. 

In principle, these regulations apply to all sporting events organised by the VDH or its affiliated clubs. If you would like more detailed information on the regulations for a specific event, please contact the organiser. 

The procedure applies to dog sports enthusiasts from outside Germany just as it does to German dog sports enthusiasts. All relevant documents are also available in English so that foreign-language dog sportspeople can also read the regulations and participate in the procedure for a medical exemption licence. 

No, doping samples are not taken at all events and the focus of doping tests is naturally on top-level dog sport. However, there is always the possibility of samples being taken and the events at which tests are carried out are not publicised for obvious reasons. 

Further information on the doping regulations and all relevant forms can be found at www.vdh.de. If you have any questions about this, please contact your sports club, organiser or Dopingtest[@]vdh[.]de