Schutzhund


Schutzhund is a German dog sport. It translates into "protection dog".

 

What is Schutzhund?
The purpose of Schutzhund training is to assess and mold the dog's natural abilities to track, protect, and teach the dog control through obedience. It has been considered by some to be a test for breeding in that during the training the degree to which the dog possesses these working abilities becomes apparent. There are three degrees of Schutzhund training: SchH1 or novice; SchH2 or intermediate; and SchH3 or advanced.

To be eligible to do Schutzhund training, it is essential that the dog have a sound temperament. It cannot be shy, sharp shy, vicious, or have poor nerves (that is easily rattled). A responsible trainer will never train a dog with poor temperament in Schutzhund. It is also important that the trainer know when to back down and when to admit ignorance in order to keep from ruining a dog.

Good socialization during puppyhood is critical. Poorly socialized dogs will have problems getting started and will require more ground work.

The tracking is very similar to the AKC TD and TDX, except the dog is penalized for quartering (that is sniffing from side to side down the track). This phase of training can be started when the dog is about five months old.
The obedience portion is very similar to that of the AKC CDX work except it is done on a large field as opposed to a small ring. This is for SchH1. For SchH2 and 3 obedience, the dog has to scale a 6 foot tall slanted wall to retrieve a dumbell in addition to the SchH1 exercises. The dog is expected to do the work with greater precision at the more advanced levels. This portion of the training is usually started in earnest at about 12 months of age. Basic puppy training is always a good idea.

The protection phase consists of developing the dog's natural protective instincts, and teaches it control in full drive through obedience exercises. The protection phase is best started no earlier than 15 months of age. The dog needs to have developed emotionally as well as physically and mentally.

Schutzhund training is very time consuming and requires a commitment from the owner. The length of time it takes to attain a SchH1 title will depend upon the dog's abilities and the time commitment made by the owner. This can range from three months under ideal conditions (two times tracking/wk; four times/wk of obedience; four times/wk of protection) to three years if the training is sporadic or of poor quality.
 
There is a difference between Schutzhund Training and a Schutzhund Trial. When done properly the training is a good test of the dog. A strong dog doesn't always do well at trials because they can be a bit obstinate during the obedience phase. A dog that scores well may not be a good dog.

 
 

       

Schutzhund Organizations
 

In Germany, the two largest Schutzhund organizations are the SV (GSD Dog Club) and the DVG (German Alliance for Utility Dog Sports). In 1975, the first Schutzhund organization in the US, United Schutzhund Club of America (USA), was formed. Soon after, an American branch of the DVG formed. The USA's address and phone numbers are in the Resources section. (Breeding requirements for the United Schutzhund Clubs of America include a minimum of an "a" stamp and BH (German Companion Dog).
 

Schutzhund Trials

 

 Trials involve 3 different phases,                   

  

Tracking            
 

Obedience         

              

Protection                          

                      

 
 

These 3 are all designed to test the natural drives, temperament and abilities of the dog. Courage, endurance and willingness to work are a few of the traits necessary for a dog to excel in Schutzhund.
       The German Shepherd is a working dog and should always be bred with that goal in mind. Dogs that possess the traits that are necessary in Schutzhund also make excellent companions and family pets.
      Schutzhund is a great sport for both dog and handler. It will strengthen the bond between the two as well as be a forum to make new friends along the way. Schutzhund people seem to be a breed all their own, most with such a strong conviction and love of the breed, you know they can't be anything but "good people!"
 
                                              Who can Participate?
 

Schutzhund is a sport for all who are willing to put forth the effort it requires. People of all ages and walks of life enjoy schutzhund- even those with significant disabilities. Often, it's a family sport. Any breed or mixed breed of dog can compete. However, size is a factor - the jump is fixed at 39 inches. The A-frame is fixed at 5 feet (Sch II) and 6 feet (Sch III). The dog must also be able to handle the protection work. The dog need not be intact. Typical breeds competing are German Shepherd Dogs, Rottweilers, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Bouviers, and Belgian Malinois.

 

 
 
 

The German Sieger Show and Other SV and SV-Style Shows

Fred Lanting

There are a number of differences between the way the GSDCA National Specialty is run and the methods employed in conducting the (World) Sieger Show in Germany and the SV-sanctioned Sieger Shows in other countries. Besides being international in scope, the Sieger Show is completely controlled by the SV, not some supra-organization such as the AKC. They therefore can set requirements that would not be allowed here in the US. The main judges are the same year after year, until new officers are elected. No one is allowed to judge any SV show, much less classes at the Sieger Show, until he has passed extensive training, an apprenticeship, and won the approval of officials in the organization. This main breed show is held in a different city in Germany each year.

 
 

AKC Ring Procedure Differences

The spectator or exhibitor who is used to only one type of dog show may want to know what is going on, and why, at another event. The best way is to find someone showing more than one dog and simply ask if he has a few minutes to explain the procedures to you. At an AKC or CKC all-breed show, there are generally a considerable number of constraints, mainly "Newtonian" (i.e., time and space). Judges are expected to process at least 25 dogs per hour, and when you include the shuffling of papers, checking armband numbers, waiting for dogs to enter and exit the rings, and the difficulty some exhibitors have in "setting up" their dogs, there is pitifully little time spent going over each entry. Of course, a good judge can spot a good dog right away, and both I and a German friend are fond of saying (only partially tongue-in-cheek) that we can see a dog jump out of a car trunk, jump right back in, and can tell you the quality level in that instant. But a very short time is not fair to the exhibitor or to the breed.

In such an AKC ring at an multi-breed show, there is another judge and another breed or group waiting for your space. And that is the other major constraint: the dogs have a very small ring at most of these shows, so even in a small class they can only take a few steps before they have to make a right-angle turn. It is not fair to exhibitors or good for the breed to judge them as little more than statues. Judges in such venues customarily run the class around once, then individually check teeth, testicles, and hopefully other aspects, then move the dog down and back, and around to the end. Some vary the method from here on, with the better ones either temporarily placing the dogs in a large class at the time they do the individual exams, others taking notes so they can call out the dogs in order of preference after the "individuals". Those who do neither risk forgetting which dogs had the bad mouths, insecure temperaments, and other problems, and such dogs are often given the top awards because of this or lack of concern about the breed. Many judges at these shows have been "given" the breed simply because they are licensed to judge others in the group, and have filled out the application forms and passed the quiz on the Standard. Most have never seen anything but the extreme American fad dogs and think that style is correct.

"The judging of the dog should throw light on his external features and his nature and - in certain circumstances - of his accomplishments."
--von Stephanitz
 

At the Sieger Show, all entrants in the Open Class (the Gebrauchshundklasse) are pre-screened by the judge the day before the extended gaiting, and then on the final day are admitted into the ring in order based on notes compiled in the preliminary standing exam. By that day, the judge has already put the entry numbers worn by the exhibitors into one or another column in his note pad, placing them in initial order of quality in either the V+, V, V-, SG+, SG, SG-, or other column, with the better of each group nearer the top and the poorer nearer the bottom of the columns. He will make minor changes in that line-up during the extended gaiting portion of his evaluation (at smaller shows, all this can be done on the same day). The entry is usually well over 100 in the Open Class, perhaps some 30 percent greater than a typical GSDCA National "Specials" class. These dogs also must have been surveyed, performed the courage test, be gun-sure, have a Schutzhund title, and have earned at least an SG (sehr gut) ranking at some previous competition such as one of the Landesgruppen "regional" shows. So, by the time the adult males enter the ring to be judged by the president of the SV (females are customarily judged by the chief Koermeister), their pedigrees and records are known to the judge.

Conversely, in AKC type shows the judge is not supposed to base his decision on anything other than what he sees in the ring on that day. This directive puts a terrible burden of dilemma on a judge who knows a certain dog is dysplastic, or of poor temperament, or produces very poorly, yet is under control and shows none of his problems on the day of  the show.  The previous-day initial look includes checking teeth, tattoos, and testicles, though sometimes with a big entry, a fellow judge will do this to save time.

 
 

 

Courage Test

"Judge not according to the appearance."
--John 7:24
 
 

On the day prior to being judged in the "show" ring, the adults must also pass the courage tests in a different field or arena, while the younger dogs are being judged by someone else in the conformation ring. Elements of Schutzhund training are used to test the Working Class dog's character and willingness to protect his handler. While the two walk down the field, an agitator jumps out from behind a blind making threatening gestures. The dog must attack, bite full and hard, and hold on until commanded by his handler to release. The villain used to go through the escape-turn-threaten routine a second time, from far away, and the dog had to pursue and again attack this stick-wielding agitator. (Note: SV rules as of 1997 were changed to eliminate running away from the dog, and now the second "bad guy" comes out of a blind at the other end of the field and runs menacingly at the dog.) The dog must work well in spite of the cheers and other noises made by the enthusiastic crowd, something he is possibly not used to in his first tests or at a trial with a small turnout.

"As soon as the judge enters the ring he must remember the breeding aim of the SV
which is: the shepherd dog is a working dog!"
--von Stephanitz
 
 
 

  Schutzhund--Devotion to Quality Breeding and Progressive Training   

This article appeared in Dog World Magazine and The German Shepherd Quarterly.

Search for the Helper
(field 40x50 paces, four blinds)
10 pts.
Hold and Bark
10 pts.
Disarms the Helper
At the judge's command, the Handler leaves the center of the field and approaches to within 3 to 4 paces from the dog. At another command from the judge, the dog is recalled with the command "Heel". The Handler calls the Helper out, downs his dog in place after ordering "Hands up". When Handler checked up the Helper, returns to his dog and puts him in a sit.
10 pts.
Hearing the Helper
When dog sit, Handler (holds dog by the collar) hearing the Helper.
10 pts.
Defense of the Handler
During hearing, the Helper attack Handler and dog. Dog must confidently and forcefully defend against attack by biting hard and full.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts.
Escape 
Handler stays in start position holds dog by the collar. In distance 50 paces, the Helper leaves the blind and run away. The Handler orders the Helper to halt by calling "Stop, stand still!" The Helper ignore this command. The Handler sends his dog with command "Go on" and follow him approaches 5 paces from Helper and dog.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts
Defending against attack
Handler holds his dog by the collar and Helper run against them. He is attacking and Holder sends his dog to defend against the attack by biting hard and full. When the dog bites, the Helper gives him 2 hits with the padded stick on the hindquarters, sides or withers.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts.

 

SVV2

Conditions: Minimal age of dog – 16 months. Points – max. 300; min. 210 (in every part of this title, the minimal limit is 70 pts.) to obtain this title.

Tracking (max.  score 100 points)

Track laid by stranger, 500 -600 paces long, at least 1 hour old, two orthogonal angle, 1st article on track, 2nd article in the end of track. Time limit for finish is 15 minutes.

Obedience (max. score 100 points)
Heeling off Lead
(includes fast, normal, left turn, right turn in walking and left, right turns instead next left leg of the Handler at the judge's commands, gun shots)
10 pts.
Sit-Down-Stand instead
(off Lead one pace ahead of Handler)
10 pts.
Walking Stand
10 pts.
Barking
Dog off Lead stands one pace ahead of handler and on command "Bark" starts barking still standing.
10 pts.
Creeping
Handler with dog on basic position, at the Judge's command Handler put dog down and lie down alongside his dog. At the command "Creep" dog starts creeping on and Handler too. At the Judge's command the Handler stops creeping, stand up and put dog into basic sit position.
10 pts.
Retrieval over 1 m jump
Handler's own bar-bell ,1 kg weighty
10 pts.
High beam with ladder - (one course)
After Handler's command dog (off Lead) goes on beam and handler follows him alongside of beam.
10 pts.
Go out with down (30 paces)
10 pts.
Recall
The Handler recalls dog from down position after "go out". Dog must sit ahead of the Handler.
10 pts.
Down under distraction
(handler stays 50 paces from dog)
10 pts.

All items of obedience Handler is doing at Judge's commands.

 

Protection (max. score 100 pts.)

Search for the Helper
(field 60x110 paces, six blinds)
10 pts.
Hold and Bark
10 pts.
Disarms the Helper
At the judge's command, the Handler leaves the center of the field and approaches to within 3 to 4 paces from the dog. At another command from the judge, the dog is recalled with the command "Heel". The Handler calls the Helper out, downs his dog in place after ordering "Hands up". When Handler checked up the Helper, returns to his dog and puts him in a sit.
10 pts.
Defense of the Handler
During checking, the Helper attack Handler. Dog must confidently and forcefully defend against attack by biting hard and full.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts.
Hearing the Helper
At the Judge's command, the Handler walks to his dog at normal pace. The Handler has the Helper take 3 steps back, tells him to raise his arms and then downs the dog. The Handler disarms the Helper again. After hearing the Helper, follows back transport to Judge.
10 pts.
Escape 
Handler stays in start position holds dog by the collar. In distance 100 paces, the Helper leaves the blind and run away. The Handler orders the Helper to halt by calling "Stop, stand still!" The Helper ignore this command. The Handler sends his dog with command "Go on" and follow him approaches 5 paces from Helper and dog.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts.
Defending against attack
Handler holds his dog by the collar and Helper run against them. He is attacking and Holder sends his dog to defend against the attack by biting hard and full. When the dog bites, the Helper gives him 2 hits with the padded stick on the hindquarters, sides or withers.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts.

 

SVV3

Conditions: Minimal age of dog – 18 months. Points – max. 300; min. 210 (in every part of this title, the minimal limit is 70 pts.) to obtain this title.

Tracking (max.  score 100 points)

Track laid by stranger, 1000 - 1200 paces long, at least 3 hours old, two orthogonal angles, 1st article on track, 2nd article in the end of track. Time limit for finish is 20 minutes.

Obedience (max. score 100 points)

Heeling off Lead
(includes fast, slow, normal, left turn, right turn in walking and left, right turns instead next left leg of the Handler at the judge's commands, gun shots)
10 pts.
Sit-Down-Stand instead
(off Lead 20 paces ahead of Handler at gesticulation commands)
10 pts.
Walking Sit
10 pts.
Barking
Dog off Lead downing 20 paces ahead of handler and at gesticulation command starts barking still downing.
10 pts.
Creeping
Handler downs dog and go away from him about 10 paces. At Handler's gesticulation command dog starts creeping to Handler. When dog is ahead Handler, Handler puts him in sit.
10 pts.
Retrieval over 1,8 m scaling wall
stranger bar-bell ,1 kg weighty
10 pts.
High beam with ladder - (both course)
After Handler's command dog (off Lead) goes on beam and handler stays in basic position ahead beam. When dog is over beam at Handler's command "Back" he returns over beam and sits ahead Handler.
10 pts.
Go out with down (two another courses, 50 paces)
At Handler's command dog go out and at another command dog down. At Judge's command Handler recalls dog. After recall Handler go out dog at another course. After dog downing, Handler recalls dog again.
10 pts.
Recall (2x)
The Handler recalls dog from down position after "go out". Dog must sit ahead of the Handler.
10 pts.
Down under distraction
(handler stays in blind 50 paces from dog)
10 pts.

 

Protection (max. score 100 pts.)

Search for the Helper
(field 80x100 paces, six blinds)
10 pts.
Hold and Bark
10 pts.
Disarms, Hearing, back transport the Helper
At the judge's command, the Handler leaves the center of the field and approaches to within 3 to 4 paces from the dog. At another command from the judge, the dog is recalled with the command "Heel". The Handler calls the Helper out, downs his dog in place after ordering "Hands up". When Handler checked up the Helper, returns to his dog and puts him in a sit. The Handler has the Helper walk ahead and follows at a distance of a maximum of 5 paces to place of watching.
10 pts.
Watch of the Helper (2+1 minutes)
When they are in place of watch the Handler stops the Helper. The Handler puts his dog to down and goes to blind. The dog must watch the Helper attentively and at the same time, lie quietly. After 2 minutes the Helper go away from dog. By a fast, hard and energetic bite, the dog must effectively prevent the escape. When Helper stands still dog must let go on its own. Than he must watch the Helper 1 minute yet.
10 pts.
Defense of the Handler
At the Judge's command the Handler walks to his dog. Than the Handler has the Helper walk ahead and follows at a distance on a maximum of 5 paces. After about 10 paces Back Transport, the Helper attacks the Handler and dog. The dog must immediately confidently and forcefully defend against the attack by biting hard and full.
15 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting and stands still, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper.
5 pts.
Escape with attack
Handler stays in start position holds dog by the collar. In distance 150 paces, the Helper leaves the blind and run away. The Handler orders the Helper to halt by calling "Stop, stand still!" The Helper ignore this command. The Handler sends his dog with command "Go on" and remains where he is standing. At the Judge's command the Helper turns and run against the dog and attacks him. The dog must forcefully defend against the attack by biting hard and full. When the dog bites, the Helper gives him 2 hits with the padded stick on the hindquarters, sides or withers.
35 pts.
Outing
After the Helper stops resisting and stands still, the dog must let go on its own or at the single command "Out" and guard the Helper intently.
5 pts.