WHAT IS  SCHUTZHUND?

SCHUTZHUND is a German word meaning "Protection Dog". It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners

Schutzhund work concentrates on three phases. Many familiar with the obedience work of the American Kennel Club's affiliates will recognize the first two parts, tracking and obedience. The Schutzhund standards for the third part, protection work, are similar to those for dogs in police work.

While dogs of other breeds are also admitted to Schutzhund trials, this breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability.

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.

Schutzhund is the most complete form of training ever devised for the working dog. Why? Schutzhund training is geared to the development of a working dog's natural character. This produces the ultimate in family protection and/or competition in Schutzhund trials and AKC obedience.

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.

Tracking is basically development of a dog's natural abilities and instincts and encourages confidence in himself. Tracking is very enjoyable for the dog and handler and helps to develop a happy, relaxed bond between them.

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 the 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.

Obedience makes a dog a more enjoyable house companion, develops his character and confidence, and adds to the personal pride in man and dog. Schutzhund obedience looks at a handler and dog as a team and puts much more emphasis on a stable working relationship than absolute perfection in a ring procedure. Thus it makes the dog much more reliable in everyday situations.

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 the 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 after the decoy when he attempts to run away. Just when the dog is about the catch the decoy, the judge signals the decoy to turn about and run directly at the dog, threatening the dog with a stick. All bites during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed 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.

Protection as trained for Schutzhund requires that the dog have a reliable temperament and show courage without viciousness. It is much more advanced and complex and must not be compared with attack training. The competition dog must make his own decisions and use judgment. He works completely off lead and at a distance from his handler. He is trained to alert and bark at the helper until there is aggression or an escape attempt. At such time, he must bite and hold but release automatically when the helper ceases fighting. This provides a safety factor against overdone aggression with little control. Because the dog must have a stable disposition and intelligence, this results in a more trustworthy and reliable family pet who loves his family and will give his life to protect them.

As long as there are Schutzhund trials, breeders have a way to judge the breeding potential of their dogs regarding correct temperament and working ability. Correct conformation is extremely important in a breeding animal, but is reduced to nothing if the dog is unwilling or unable to perform the work for which he was bred.

There are three levels of the Schutzhund test.

For Schutzhund I, the dog must be at least 18 months old and pass an 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 obedience and protection tests required for the Schutzhund I degree, 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 the Schutzhund 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 Schutzhund II, and there are three objects, rather than two, that must be found by the dog. The picture of obedience presented by an excellent Schutzhund III team is a beautiful illustration of the partnership of human and dog.

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