| INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHUTZHUND
SPORT - part1 (for part part2, please click here) |
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As the last century drew to a close, the industrial revolution was in the
process of changing a centuries old way of life throughout Europe, altering
the very fabric of society. In many different regions, diverse groups of men
realized that the indigenous working dogs of the farmer, drover and stockman
were in imminent danger of being lost forever because of the rapid
modernization of agrarian life. Separately and in small groups they sought
to gather together and preserve the various regional working types and form
them into breeds. Their legacy to us is the German Shepherd, the Rottweiler,
the Bouvier des Flandres and the other herding and working breeds as we know
them today.
Since the primary objective of these men was the preservation of the
working heritage, it is not surprising that as they created their various
organizations and evolved formal standards a number of working trial systems
were devised. The primary purpose of these trials was to serve as a gauge of
working character so as to facilitate the identification of animals suitable
for consideration as breeding stock. In this way, the working trial served
the purification of the soul just as the conformation show served to
consolidate correct, uniform physical structure. The sporting aspect drew in
many who enjoyed the training and then the competitive nature of the trial
itself. It would seem that the desire to go out and see whose horse is
faster or whose dog is stronger, quicker and more courageous is as old as
the domestication process itself.
Among the earliest systems was that devised by the creators of the German
Shepherd Dog, that is, the Schutzhund (protection dog) trial. Others include
the KNPV competition (the Dutch Police Trials) and the Ring Sport of
Belgium, which date from the same era. For a variety of reasons, including
the early and strong popularity of the Shepherd, the Schutzhund trial has
become predominant, and is rapidly evolving as the primary arena in which
the protective heritage breeds demonstrate their working character and the
quality of their training. This trend is strong in Europe beyond Germany and
its scope is in fact world wide. The predominant rules are those of the VDH
(the West German kennel club) although there is a slightly different FCI
(The World canine organization) version.
Although Schutzhund competition is usually open to any dog capable of the
work, the primary interest is among the fanciers of the protective heritage
breeds such as the Doberman Pincher, Boxier, German Shepherd, Giant
Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flandres and the Rottweiler. Patterns in Europe and
America vary, with the Boxier for instance being very active in Germany but
virtually never seen in North American competition. |
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| A review of the objectives of training and working trial systems in
general serves as an effective introduction to a discussion of the
Schutzhund sport in particular. These include:
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- Identification of
those dogs suitable to be bred, that is, of sound temperament, willing to
work and of correct structure.
- Preparation of
the individual dog to serve the purpose of its breed, be it hunting, herding
or protection of family and property.
- Provision of
sport and recreation for man and beast that brings out the best qualities of
both.
- Since the Schutzhund program is primarily for dogs of the protective
heritage, its emphasis is on those qualities necessary in such dogs, such as
initiative, courage and responsibility. The three phases of the program are:
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- TRACKING: where the dog uses his olfactory capability to
follow the path taken by his handler or another person.
- OBEDIENCE: heeling, retrieval of objects and other exercises that
demonstrate cooperation and handler control.
- PROTECTION:
search out and hold of an adversary, close in defense of the leader and a
remote attack on an aggressor.
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There are three progressively more difficult levels of competition that
lead to the Schutzhund titles I through III. Many dogs go on to compete
repetitively at the Schutzhund III level in order to achieve the highest
possible score and to qualify for participation in various annual
championship events. There is also an advanced tracking title and a number
of other specialized degrees.
Among the factors contributing to the usefulness of the dog is his
incredibly sensitive nose, which makes the sense of smell so totally
superior to that of a human being that a dog virtually lives in another
world. The olfactory sensitivity adds another dimension, a further
capability, to the human/canine team. The dog can locate a lost child,
detect the presence of narcotics or warn of a hidden adversary in time to
save a life.
Tracking is thus an integral facet of the program in order to measure and
enhance this most useful faculty. The test is conducted in an open field
where a person walks a prescribed route several hundred yards long and drops
a number of articles, such as a glove, which the dog must locate. Elementary
level tracks are laid by the handler, more advanced competition uses a
different person. The track is often laid in a plowed field rather than one
with vegetation or in a pasture.
The track is aged for a period according to the title being sought (20
minutes to an hour) after which the dog is taken to the marked starting
point and sent out, usually on a line. (The handler has the option of
sending his dog off lead, but I have never seen this done.) It is necessary
to stay ten meters behind the dog except when he picks up a dropped article
or indicates its presence by laying down or sitting. The difficulty of a
particular track is dependent on the nature of the vegetation and the
weather. Damp, cool, still conditions are generally the most favorable.
Early in the morning is often the best time of day.
The obedience exercises require the dog to heel at the handler's side on
a route with turns, changes of pace and distractions such as gun shots and a
group of milling persons. The dog must be left in the down, sitting and
standing positions and come when called. Objects thrown by the handler are
to be retrieved on command. This is done "on the flat" and over a one meter
barrier. The dog must go out away from the handler and then down on command.
The gun sure AKC obedience competitor at the CDX level will find the
Schutzhund I obedience routine familiar, the only additional exercise being
the go out which is introduced at the Utility level under the AKC system.
A fundamentally different character of Schutzhund obedience is due to the
arena, that is, the fact that it is conducted in an open field rather than a
small, confined ring. This is a significant consideration for the team with
a large dog, which is at a substantial disadvantage in the typical cramped
AKC ring. Within broad limits the handler has much latitude to adapt the
size and order of the heeling pattern to his own dog. That a beast heels a
couple of inches ahead or behind or sits slightly crooked is not of earth
shaking consequence, for the purpose is to demonstrate control, cooperation
and working willingness rather than to turn the dog into an ultra precise
heeling machine.
The protection exercises involve a number of simulated attacks by a human
adversary who wears padded leather pants and a padded sleeve which the dog
bites. (In Schutzhund the dog is trained to bite only the sleeve; in other
forms of competition he is encouraged to bite either an arm or a leg or go
directly to the body. The agitator's protective equipment is substantially
different in such instances.) Once on the sleeve, the agitator will strike
the dog with a bamboo stick to establish the willingness to persist in the
face of a counter attack. The dog is trained to respond to an active
aggressor, and that when the helper stands still he is to watch and bark but
may not bite. Control and discipline are recognized as essential attributes
of the well trained dog. The purpose of the protection program is not to
produce a weapon that will automatically attack at the least excuse, but
rather a dog who will respond to a direct threat in the appropriate manner.
Although tracking, obedience and protection are the three phrases of the
program, the divisions are more apparent than real, for each facet of the
training must contribute in harmony to the balanced whole, result in a
fundamentally sound dog, or they mean nothing. In a correct program there is
tremendous synergism, the lessons of one phase positively reinforcing those
of the others. The tracking builds confidence and initiative that carries
over as an alert, positive attitude in the obedience. Obedience teaches
discipline and responsiveness to the handler, which reinforces the precision
necessary for high tracking scores and paves the way for the control aspects
of the protection work. And the enthusiasm of most dogs for the man work
carries them through the long haul, provides the spark that makes training
day the best part of the dog's life. The very best Schutzhund program does
not train tracking, obedience and protection, it does not even consider the
dog as a whole and train him, rather it trains the team, the dog and his
leader together.
The trial generally starts with the tracking early in the morning, since
that is the most favorable time for the dog to track, and because there is a
long day's work ahead if there is a full slate of ten or twelve dogs. The
judge begins by assigning track layers and supervising the laying of the
tracks. Each team in turn reports and is sent out to attempt their track.
The judge will often conduct a preliminary temperament test in which he
will purposely pressure the dog, perhaps by walking between him and his
handler and pushing him with his knee. The dog who shows a fearful or
inappropriately aggressive reaction is excused on the spot. It is the
judge's right and obligation to devise whatever tests he believes to be
necessary to establish the stability of each dog as they progress through
the day. It is necessary that Schutzhund judge have significant latitude in
conducting the trial in that his duties are by far the most difficult and
serious one can take on in the entire scope of canine affairs. Put quite
simply, the future of the working heritage is in his hands each time he
steps on the field.
When two dogs have completed their track, the judge will in the presence
of the handler and his dog, and any others who care to listen, give a brief
critique of the performance and announce the scores. A primary purpose of
this is education, as the judge will often not only point why he has taken
points away, but go on to suggest improvements in training approach to
correct the problems. Teaching is in fact the essence of the judge's role,
and a trial conducted by a good one is an educational encounter as well.
The judge's critique does a great deal to enhance the spirit of fair play
and sportsmanship, for the audience may find out what he has seen that was
not apparent from their vantage point. They will often find out that they
noted a detail that he in fact missed, for no man can see everything when
there are two dogs and two handlers on the field, often widely separated.
The noted judge Jean-Claude Balu makes a point that bears repeating: it is
the judge's responsibility to score according to what he actually sees and
hears, that while he will on occasion know that something has occurred when
his vision was blocked or his attention diverted he must not deduct points.
It is important that those in the audience be aware of this distinction.
There is no doubt that the necessity of giving a critique and announcing
scores immediately after the exercise puts pressure on a judge, as there is
no such thing as having a ring steward post the scores and being long gone
before anyone knows what went down.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Schutzhund competition is not that
the dog must track, execute the obedience exercises and show protective
capability. Rather the real challenge is that each of these three must be
done successfully on the same day in order to earn a title. It would be much
easier if you could get the beast up for tracking next week, pass the
obedience after a couple of tries next spring and then worry about the
protection work! The comprehensiveness of the test is the essence of its
validity, for the dog who attains the degree under a competent judge is in
most instances a legitimate working dog. An occasional unsure dog may have a
lucky day and get through, and judges, being human, are on occasion too
lenient. There are of course distinctions in that some pass without a high
score or are not able to attain a higher title.
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| (Articles written by: Jim Engel Copyright 1993) |
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(PART 2, PLEASE CLICK HERE) |
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