Schutzhund: Tracking - Obedience - Protection... The Complete Dog Sport

"Hundesport", (dog sport) is what it is called in Germany. Schutzhund started at the beginning of the century as a test for Police and working dogs. It was used to determine which dogs had true working ability also that only dogs with working ability be selected for breeding. In Germany Schutzhund is a required breed test for the German Shepherd Dog. Though Schutzhund is not restricted to particular group or breed of dog. The dog must have the proper temperament and be capable of doing the work.

Schutzhund is also a sport, it is considered the best test for working dogs to determine correct temperament & working ability, resulting in a "Total Dog", sound in mind and body.

The sport of Schutzhund is like a triathlon for dogs. You must view and treat your dog as an athlete, considering the aspects of conditioning, proper diet and psychology. To compete in Schutzhund is the ultimate! Challenge for a dog and its handler. Schutzhund offers what no other dog sport can. It is outdoors. It is physical. It is mental. Through Schutzhund you will become closer and more of a team with your dog than you have ever been. Though the demands on both you and your dog are great, there are many rewards and much satisfaction to gain.

Schutzhund in German means "Protection Dog". But protection is only one phase of the sport. Schutzhund training involves 3 phases: Tracking, Obedience (which includes retrieving and negotiating jumps and scaling walls), and Protection. In each phase a possible perfect score is 100 points with a total perfect score of 300 points possible. Each phase is complicated routine in which both the dog and handler must perform flawlessly as a team to achieve the maximum points. In the tracking & obedience phase, a minimum of 70 points must be achieved to pass. In the protection phase a minimum of 80 points is required to pass.

.
There are multiple levels of training attainable in Schutzhund

The BH () or companion dog
The WH () or watch dog
The RH RESCUE DOG SUITABILITY TEST (RH) (Rettungshundtauglichkeitspruefung)
Schutzhund I
Schutzhund II
Schutzhund III
FH () Tracking Dog
AD Endurance Test (Ausdauerpruefung)
Obedience I
Obedience II
Obedience III
Tracking I
Tracking II
Tracking III

Copyright 1997,1998, 1999, 2000 South Florida Schutzhund Club, Inc. All Rights Reserved
For information or to comment about this site contact:South Florida Schutzhund Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 650874 - Miami, FL 33165 - USA - Tel (954) 966-2746
This page last updated 01/07/00