The word Schutzhund originated in Germany and literally means "protection dog." Schutzhund began in 1901 as a test to evaluate German Shepherd breeding suitability. This test evaluates the physical and mental attributes that make this breed a working partner with man. A Schutzhund title is indicated after the dog's name by SchH1, SchH2 or SchH3. The SchH1 is the first level while the SchH3 means the dog has achieved the highest and most difficult level.

Schutzhund maintains a critical role as part of the breed evaluation test but has also developed into a highly competitive sport with trials held all over the world. Other breeds participate in the sport of Schutzhund, but the vast majority of dogs are German Shepherds. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility along with mental stability, endurance, structural efficiency, scenting ability, willingness to work, courage and trainability.

There are three parts in a Schutzhund trial. The dog must pass all three parts in order to be awarded a title. Throughout all three phases, the dog is evaluated for temperament. This sport is fun and enjoyable but also represents dedication and a significant investment of time.

The Tracking Phase

The tracking phase includes a temperament test conducted by the judge to ensure the dog is approachable and relates well to people. The judge approaches the dog which is kept on a loose lead. The handler is then asked to walk his dog on a loose lead in a group of neutral people. If the dog demonstrates any shyness or aggressiveness, it is immediately dismissed from the trial.

The track is laid by a person walking on a surface such as dirt or grass. The track is aged for a period of time, and contains several turns and several small articles which the dog is expected to indicate. The dog is expected to stay on the track, make the turns accurately and demonstrate a deep nose throughout the track. The dog must indicate the articles usually by laying down with the article between its front paws. The tracking phase is a test of the dog's trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance. The dog must receive a score of at least 70 points in order to pass this phase.

The Obedience Phase

Schutzhund obedience consists of several on-lead and off-lead heeling exercises which demonstrate the dog's willing attention to the handler. The heeling exercise involves the dog moving through a group of people while being very attentive to the handler and readily working through the obedience routine while another dog is on the field in an honoring down stay.

There is a gun shot test administered during the off-lead heeling and during the down-stay. The dog must not show any reaction to the shots being fired. The gun shot temperament test ensures that the dog is sound sure and will not react to sharp noises. German Shepherds are used in a variety of police, service and protection work requiring exposure to noises. Since sound sensitivity is in large part a genetic trait, the gun shot test is important so that only sound sure dogs will pass. If a dog shows any reaction (either aggression or fear) to gun shots, it is immediately dismissed from the trial.

The obedience phase consists of other exercises similar to AKC obedience including the sit-in-motion, down-in-motion, stand-in-motion and recalls to the handler. The dog must retrieve a dumbbell of various weights on the flat, over a one-meter high jump and over a six-foot A-frame. The dog is expected to perform a send-away which involves running in a straight direction away from the handler on command and must perform the honoring down while another dog and handler work on the field.

The obedience exercises get more demanding with each level of Schutzhund. All exercises for a SchH3 are done off-lead. Throughout the obedience phase, the judge evaluates the dog not only on the accuracy and correctness of the exercise but on the willingness with which the dog performs. The dog must demonstrate accuracy, speed and a willing attitude in order to be awarded full points. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog's temperament, structural efficiencies, and its willingness to work.

The obedience phase also tests the handler's ability to train. It is a beautiful picture to see a handler and dog working as a happy team. A passing score for obedience is 70 points.

The Protection Phase

The protection phase tests the dog's courage, strength and agility. Throughout the protection phase, the handler must demonstrate absolute control of the dog.

The first part of protection consists of "running the blinds." The blinds sometimes resemble canvas teepees and represent hiding places for the "bad guy" who is actually the helper or decoy. In SchH1, the dog searches 2 blinds, but in SchH2 and SchH3, the dog searches 6 blinds crisscrossing a soccer size field. When the dog finds the helper in the 6th blind, he must energetically approach barking continuously showing guarding behavior without touching the helper.

Later the dog must pursue the helper when he attempts an escape and hold the grip on a burlap sleeve fully and firmly even while being hit with a padded stick. The stick hits are done by an experienced helper and administered carefully to not injure the dog. The hits do demonstrate clearly the dog's courage under attack. If a dog leaves the helper when he administers the stick hits, the dog is excused from the trial. The strong dog actually grips the sleeve harder upon the stick hits showing strong courage and fight drive.

The dog must also show tremendous control during the back transport. The handler and dog are several paces back following the helper. Suddenly the helper turns to attack the handler. The dog without verbal command should immediately launch himself at the helper with a full, hard and calm grip on the sleeve.

The final and most dramatic test is the pursuit. On direction from the judge, the handler and dog go to one end of the field while the helper goes to the opposite end of the field. The helper aggressively moves towards the handler and dog. The dog must remain calm and focused while this is occurring. At the judge's signal, the handler releases the dog who must again pursue the helper with courage and engage with a full and hard grip.

In all instances where the dog grips the sleeve, it must release from the sleeve at the handler's direction or when the helper discontinues the fight. The handler is allowed three commands to get the dog to release the sleeve. If the dog does not release during any of the gripping phases, it is excused from the trial.

During the entire protection phase, the dog must be obedient to the handler. If the handler does not have this control, serious point deductions will occur or the dog will be excused. The dog is judged by its overall drive to perform this work and its courage and hardness in pursuing the helper and taking stick hits. The judge also wants a grip on the sleeve that is full, hard and calm even when the dog is being strongly challenged by the helper. A passing score for protection is 80 points, and the dog is also evaluated as pronounced or sufficient. The dog must pass all three of these phases at a single trial (usually in one day) in order to be awarded a Schutzhund title. For the handler, the title signifies a major accomplishment for many months and years of hard training. For the dog, the title is a major step towards meeting breeding requirements.

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