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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.
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.
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.
THE PROTECTION PHASE
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.
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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