| WHAT IS SCHUTZHUND |
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Schutzhund is a German word meaning "protection dog". Schutzhund is a
sport that focuses on developing & evaluating those traits in dogs that make
them more useful & happier companions to their owners. The purpose of
Schutzhund is to demonstrate the dog's intelligence & utility. It also
measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies,
ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, & trainability.
While dogs of other breeds are also admitted to Schutzhund trials, this
breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd
Dog.
This working dog sport offers an opportunity for dog owners to train their
dog and compete with each other for recognition of both the handler's
ability to train and the dog's ability to perform as required. It is a sport
enjoyed by persons of varied professions, who join together in a camaraderie
born of their common interest in working with their dogs. Persons of all
ages and conditions of life - even those with significant disabilities -
enjoy Schutzhund as a sport Often, it is a family sport. |
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| THE TRACKING PHASE |
| The tracking phase includes a temperament test by the overseeing judge
to assure the dog's mental soundness. When approached closely on a
loose leash, the dog should not act shyly or aggressively. The track
is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as
dirt or grass. The track includes a number of turns and a number
of small, man-made objects left by this person on the track itself. At
the end of a 30-foot leash, the handler follows the dog, which is expected
to scent the track and indicate the location of the objects, usually by
lying down with it between its front paws. The tracking phase is
intended to test the dog's trainability and ability to scent, as well as its
mental and physical endurance. |
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| THE OBEDIENCE PHASE |
| The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of
which are closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling,
there is a gun shot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to
such sharp noises. There is also a series of field exercises in which
the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues
to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the
handler. With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to
retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot
slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction
from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. Finally,
each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler,
despite distractions, at the other end of the obedience field, while another
dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are
tests of the dog's temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very
importantly, its willingness to serve man or woman. |
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| THE PROTECTION PHASE |
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The protection phase tests the dog's
courage, physical strength and agility. The
handler's control of the dog is absolutely
essential. The exercises include a search of
hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a
human decoy), and guarding that decoy while the
handler approaches. The dog is expected to
pursue the decoy when an escape is attempted and to
hold the grip firmly. The decoy is searched
and transported to the judge with the handler and
dog walking behind and later at the decoy's right
side. When the decoy attempts to attack the
handler, the dog is expected to stop the attack with
a firm grip and no hesitation.
The final test of courage occurs
when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding
place by the dog's handler from the opposite end of
the trial field. The dog is sent as the
decoy runs toward the dog and handler. The
decoy runs directly at the dog, threatening the dog
with a stick. All bites during the protection
phase are expected to be firmly place on the padded
sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the decoy
discontinues the fight. The protection tests
are intended to assure that the dog is neither a
coward nor a criminal menace.
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| BRIEF SCHUTZHUND DEGREE
PROFILE |
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FOR SCHUTZHUND I
- the dog must be at least 18 months old and
pass and initial temperament test by the judge.
The dog must heel on the leash and off,
demonstrate the walking sit, the walking down,
and the stay tests, as well as the send-out. It
must retrieve on the flat and over a hurdle. In
tracking, it must be able to follow a track laid
by its handler at least 20 minutes earlier.
There are also protection tests.
FOR SCHUTZHUND II
- the dog must be at least 19 months old and
must already have earned its Schutzhund I
degree. It must again pass all of the tracking,
obedience and protection tests required for
Schutzhund I, but those tests, for Schutzhund
II, are made more difficult and require greater
endurance, agility, and above all, control.
There is an additional retrieve required over
the six foot slanted wall. In tracking, the
Schutzhund II candidate must be able to follow a
track laid by a stranger at least 30 minutes
earlier.
FOR SCHUTZHUND III
- the master's degree, the dog must be at
least 20 months old and must have earned both
the Schutzhund I and II titles. Again, the
tests now are made far more difficult. All
exercises in obedience and protection are
demonstrated off leash. There is the addition
of a walking and running stand. In tracking,
the dog must follow a track that was laid by a
stranger at least 60 minutes earlier. The track
has four turns, compared with two turns for
Schutzhund I and II, and there are three
objects, rather than two, that must be found by
the dog.
- In addition to the Schutzhund temperament
tests, the United Schutzhund Clubs of America
offer other examinations: the B, a basic
obedience and temperament test which is required
before entry for the Schutzhund I is permitted;
the FH and FH2, advanced tracking degrees; the
Schutzhund A, which tests obedience and
protection at the Schutzhund I level; and the WH,
a basic protection degree which includes basic
obedience.
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You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information
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shepherds, accepts no liability related to the veterinary advice and
information provided on this site regarding health matters. |
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