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The term "Schutzhund" means "protection dog". Schutzhund is a test for working dogs. Originally, the purpose of Schutzhund was to test the working ability of the dog in an effort to prove proper working temperament for breeding. Now, Schutzhund has developed into a physically and mentally challenging sport.
Schutzhund displays the character traits that you would wish to see in a working dog. These dogs are confident, intelligent, and show a strong willingness to work and please the handler. Schutzhund also demonstrates the physical capabilities of the dog including strength, agility, endurance and scenting ability.
There are three levels of titles in Schutzhund; a SchH I, SchH II, and the ultimate, a SchH III. There are three phases that must be completed with a passing score to receive a Schutzhund title. These phases are tracking, obedience, and protection. There are also advanced titles, such as an FH, which is an advanced tracking title.
| Tracking The first phase is tracking. Tracking consists of the dog using their natural scenting ability to follow a person's track and find articles that have been left along the way. Tracking is usually done on a grass or dirt field. The maximum number of points is 100, which is a perfect score. At least 70 points are needed to pass this phase.
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| Obedience The second phase is obedience. The obedience exercises demonstrate the dog's trainability and bond to their handler. Exercises include heeling on and off leash, heeling through a group of people, a long down, recall, retrieving, jumping, and a gunfire test. The dog retrieves over a one meter jump and a six foot scaling wall. The handler completes the exercises from memory. The maximum number of points is 100, which is a perfect score. At least 70 points are needed to pass this phase.
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| Protection The final phase is protection. This phase is very intricate and controlled. The dog's temperament should display a courageous, not vicious, dog. The dog is instructed to search a set of blinds and find the helper (the "bad guy"). The helper wears a pair of scratch pants and a special sleeve. The dog bites only the sleeve, with a full bite and without hesitation. Upon instruction, the dog MUST release the sleeve. One of the most important observations during a protection routine is the relationship between dog and handler. The handler is under complete control at all times. The dog trusts the handler's judgement to "out", or release, the sleeve when instructed to do so. The maximum number of points is 100, which again, is a perfect score. In the protection phase however, at least 80 points are needed to pass.
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Other Working Titles: FH I - Advanced Tracking Title FH II - Most Advanced Tracking Title BH - Begleithunde - Obedience and Traffic Sureness Test AD - Endurance Test ZTP - Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung - ADRK Breed Test |
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