Joe Tackett helped found Schutzhund in the US along with the late Gernot Reidel and other prominent individuals in the late 1960s. Joe Tackett's dog, Ironwood's Shoshoni SchH III, was the first American bred dog qualifying as a USA team member BRED, TRAINED & HANDLED BY OWNER. Ironwood's Cherokee was also the first American Bred/ Owner/ Handler SchH 3, FH, Kkl 1 in the first sanctioned breed survey in this country pre-USCA. Joe was also the recipient of West Germany's SV Gold & Diamond Sports Medals. Joe is mentioned as a founder of Schutzhund in the Second Edition 1999 of "The Total German Shepherd Dog" by Fred Lanting on page 122 under History of Schutzhund in North America, 3rd column, line 12 from top of page.


The Credentials of Judge Joe Tackett include:

• 1960-1961 DOG WORLD AWARD
• 1966-1971 HEAD TRAINER The German Shepherd Dog Fanciers of Northern California
• 1968-1969 PRESIDENT The German Shepherd Dog Fanciers of Northern California
• 1966-1975 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The German Shepherd Dog Fanciers of Northern California
• 1970-1973 HEAD TRAINER Atherwood All Breed Training of California
• 1971-1982 HEAD TRAINER PENINSULA CANINE CORPS The Peninsula Canine Corps is the oldest existing Schutzhund organization in the USA
• 1982-1986 PRESIDENT PENINSULA CANINE CORPS
• 1982-1986 VICE PRESIDENT UNITED SCHUT HUND CLUBS OF AMERICA
• 1984-1986 U.S.A. BREED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• 1978-1990 WORKING DOG JUDGE OF THE UNITED SCHUTZHUND CLUBS OF AMERICA
• 1988-1990 DIRECTOR OF JUDGES OF THE UNITED SCHUTZHUND CLUBS OF AMERICA
• 1991 to 2006 Judge Tackett laid down his judgeship in 1991 for a higher calling of reaching high-risk kids in poverty and feeding the poor. He remains President of Feed My Lambs Ministries, Inc., dedicated to feeding the poor. However, he re-entered his former beloved sport as a judge for The GSDCA- WDA. Joe and his wife, Victoria, founded The Good Shepherd Schutzhund Club serving Houston and rural Texas.
• 2008 GSDCA-WDA Judge (German Shepherd Dog Club of America Working Dog Association) AKC WDS Judge ( American Kennel Club Working Dog Sport); President & Training Director of The Good Shepherd Schutzhund Club near Houston, Texas.