I learned about Schutzund training while I was looking for my first German Shepherd dog. I now have two female German Shepherds who I train in the sport of Schutzhund. I still have a lot to learn but everyone at my local Schutzhund club has been very helpful.

"Schutzhund" is a dog sport that was developed in the early 1900's in Germany and means "protection dog". It was to test whether the German Shepherd dog was to perform in manner that the breed was intended. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, willingness to work, ability to scent, endurance , structural efficiencies, courage and train-ability.

Schutzhund is a sport that the whole family can participate in.

The Schutzhund trial/competition consists of three parts that the dog is required to pass:

Tracking

During the tracking phase a track is laid earlier by a person who walks normally on a natural surface such as grass or dirt. Depending on what Schutzhund title you are going for, the track will contain a number of turns and several small man-made objects, such as leather or wood will also be laid on the track. The handler will follow the dog on the end of a 33 foot leash. The dog is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of the small objects, usually by lying down on the track with the object between its front paws. The handler then proceeds to the dog and picks up the object and raises it above their head to show the judge.

Obedience

During the obedience phase, the dog will have to do a series of heeling exercises, some of which are in and around people. During part of heeling phase there is a shot gun test to make sure the dog doesn't openly react to sharp noises. It also includes various field exercises where the dog is commanded to sit, down, or stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the handler either returns to the dog or the dog is recalled to the handler. Dumbbells are also used in various weights where the dog must retrieve them on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also given a command where he must run straight from the handler and then is commanded to lie down. The other part of the test is where the dog is commanded to lie down far away from his handler and is required to stay there despite distractions while another dog on the field completes his obedience exercises.

Protection

During the protection phase, the dogs courage, ability and physical strength are tested. The handler must maintain complete control of the dog, thus obedience first is a must before doing protection work. The exercises in the protection test require the dog to search different hiding places, find a person hidden and guarding that person while the handler approaches. The dog is expected to chase the person and hold his grip firmly. There are a couple of more tests with the person acting as the decoy. The final test of courage is when the decoy is asked to come out from his hiding place and then charges at the handler waving a stick, the dog must not hesitate but grip the padded sleeve firmly and then stop on command or release when the decoy stops the attack.

There are three different Schutzhund Titles; Schutzhund 1, Schutzhund 2, and Schutzhund 3. Your dog must first pass a BH before he can accquire any of the titles.

BH-Begleithund

It is also called a companion dog title. The dog must be at least 15 months.

The obedience phase of a BH is similar to that of the Schutzhund 1, except that you do not have any retrieving exercises. The dog is required to heel on and off of a leash. Also includes the various field exercises of sit and down while the handler continues to move. The dog must also perform the long down where the dog must lie down while the handler is at the other end of the field and another dog is on the field completing his field exercises. Another part of the test is how well the dog performs in heavy traffic, with cars going by, people jogging by, people riding bikes by the dog with the dog remaining calm on a loose leash.

Schutzhund 1

For the SchH1, the dog must be at least 18 months old. The dog must also pass an initial temperament test by the judge. The dog must heel off leash, also perform certain field exercises such as how to demonstrate the walking sit, the walking down, the long down under distraction as well as the send out. The dog must retrieve the dumbbell on a flat surface as well as over a hurdle and over the scaling wall. The dog must be able to follow a track that was laid at least 20 minutes prior. There are also protection tests.

Schutzhund 2

For the SchH2, the dog must be at least 19 months old and have already earned its SchH1 title. The dog must again pass all of the SchH1 tests and the tests for the SchH2 are made more difficult and require greater endurance, agility and more control. There is an additional walking stand exercise required. In tracking, the dog must follow a track laid by a stranger at least 30 minutes prior. There are also protection tests.

Schutzhund 3

For the SchH3, the masters degree, the dog must be at least 20 months old and have earned both the SchH1 and SchH2 titles. Again the tests are made more difficult and there is a running stand also included that replaces the walking stand. In tracking the dog must follow a track that was laid by a stranger at least 60 minutes prior. The track has four turns compared with two for SchH1 and SchH2 and there are three objects rather than two that must be found by the dog. The picture of obedience, strength, eagerness, and confidence presented by an excellent SchH3 team is a beautiful illustration of the partnership of human and dog.

Do the dogs enjoy Schutzhund work?

If trained in the right way, dogs do enjoy working, just come to a Schutzhund trial and see for yourself. Schutzhund training helps develop the dogs natural instincts to a high level. Self-confident dogs that are doing work for which they are trained are happy dogs.

I know that in my club, the dogs can't wait to go out on the field and train. We make it fun so they want to work.