What is Schutzhund?
The word "Schutzhund" exactly translated from German to English means "Protection Dog." This literal translation is somewhat misleading, as there is much more to Schutzhund than just protection.

Today, in the United States, Schutzhund is a fast-growing, competitive sport. In Europe, SchH (the abbreviation for Schutzhund) has been a popular sport since the early 1900's. Schutzhund was originally a test to determine which German Shepherds were quality dogs for breeding purposes in Germany. Today, SchH is that and much, much more. It still gives us the ability to test our dogs to determine if the temperament is correct and to also view their working ability. It is also a highly competitive sport which is maintained by the efforts of teamwork between the handler and his/her dog. Schutzhund is designed for the dogs with working ability. However, it is not restricted to any particular group or breed of dog. The United Schutzhund Clubs of America, primarily a German Shepherd organization, does recognize all breeds capable of doing SchH work.

Schutzhund training and showing involves three phases: Tracking, Obedience and Protection. There are three SchH levels one can achieve with his/her dog: SchH I (considered the novice level), SchH II (the intermediate), and SchH III (the advanced level). Each handler and his dog start out in each phase with 100 points. From there, points are to be deducted by the presiding judge according to the point system, providing the dog/handler team errors. A total perfect score is 300. In order for a person and his dog to achieve any one of the SchH degrees, the team together must achieve at least 70 points or better in tracking and obedience and at least 80 points or better in protection. If these minimum scores are not received, a SchH degree cannot be awarded to the participating dog/handler team. The requirements that a dog/handler team must fulfill become progressively more difficult from the SchH I level to the SchH III level.

Tracking is a development of a dog's natural abilities and instincts. It helps to build confidence within the dog. The dog must use his nose in locating a track laid either by his handler or a stranger and also have the ability to discover various articles dropped along the track. The track length, the age of the track, the number of articles and the size of the articles depend on the level of the SchH degree.

Obedience makes a dog a more enjoyable companion and also makes him more reliable in everyday situations. SchH obedience judges a handler and his dog as a team. The team is required to do various exercises, depending on the SchH degree one is attempting to earn.

Protection, as trained for Schutzhund requires that the dog have a reliable temperament and show courage without viciousness. It is an advanced and complex training wherein the dog must make his own decision and use his judgment. The "bad guy," known as the agitator or helper in the sport, is required to wear protective pants and a special sleeve covered with burlap for the dog to bite. The dog must bite correctly or he will lose points. The dog must be trained to release his bite. A dog can fail if he consistently does not release his bite when commanded.

If you are interested in Schutzhund, ask around you! Every handler and owner is proud of every title his dog has achieved and can tell you what a feeling of accomplishment it is to earn a Schutzhund title with his/her dog.

Schutzhund offers three levels of titles, and there are three phases to each title. One must obtain a passing score in all three phases in order to obtain a title, and be able to advance to the next training level.

The titles are:

• Sch H I (novice)
• Sch H II (intermediate)
• Sch H III (master level)

There is also an advanced tracking degree offered, FH.

The sport is designated for all athletic dogs with correct working abilities and is not restricted to a particular group or breed of dog. Schutzhund is now the fasted growing Dog Sport in North America!

Schutzhund Training Phases
For each of the three titles already discussed above, there are three distinct phases: tracking, obedience, and protection.

Tracking
In this phase, the dog must draw from inherited abilities by using his/her nose to find a person's track and discover articles that have been dropped along the way. Depending upon the title sought, all tracks will vary in length, shape and age. Tracking is usually done in dirt or on grass. A perfect score is 100 points, with a minimum of 70 needed to pass.

Obedience
The obedience phase involves numerous and demanding exercises which include heeling on and off leash, a gunfire test, walking through a group of people, motion exercises, recall, a 10-20 minute long down, retrieving, and jumping. A set pattern is demonstrated by the handler from memory (unlike AKC obedience, where the judge calls the pattern for you). A perfect score is 100 points, with 70 needed to pass.

Protection
This phase of Schutzhund training is very intricate, advanced, and taught with control in mind. It should not be confused or compared in any way with guard dog or police protection training. A dog competing in the sport of Schutzhund must always prove to have a reliable temperament and must show courage without viciousness. The "bad guy" or "helper" as he is known in the sport always wears protective leather pants and a special sleeve with a burlap cover. The dog is allowed to bite this sleeve and he must bite this in the correct manner. On command, the dog MUST release the bite. A dog will fail if it does not release the bite when commanded to do so. A perfect score is 100 points, with 80 points needed to pass.

THE EXERCISES
Many people view the sport of Schutzhund like preparing for an Olympic Event. One must see their dog as an athlete and learn all the aspects of conditioning, proper diet, and the psychology of it all -- for one's self as well as for the dog.

Only dogs that appear healthy can be exhibited in a trial. Before being permitted to participate in a trial, each dog must pass a test of impartiality and sureness. The testing is performed prior to the Tracking phase which is the first phase of the trial. Testing of the self confidence will take place during the entire trial. Dogs who fail the of self confidence or impartiality are to be excused from the trial proceedings.

Before any dog can enter a Schutzhund trial and obtain a degree it must pass a ( BH ) . BH = German Companion Dog. The dog must pass this test at an approved Schutzhund Trial. This test was developed as a preliminary character evaluation. This test was designed to keep aggressive, sharp, shy, or nervous dogs from participating in the sport. A dog must have absolutely sound temperament to compete in a Schutzhund trial.

There are three major degrees awarded: SchH-I, SchH-II, and SchH-III - in order of increasing difficulty. The traits that make for a good Schutzhund candidate mostly are innate characteristics that must be bred for. Even among dogs bred out of Schutzhund bitches and dogs, a minority have the ability to reach even SchH-I, and a small percentage will have the necessary drive, intelligence and hardness to achieve a SchH-III title.

The above degrees were difficult enough, but to make it even more demanding, they all happen in one day during competitions that are held all over the country. These trials are held by local clubs or in regional and national championships. Each dog is judged by a complex point system that then determines the winner of the trial.

Schutzhund training is very time consuming and requires a lot of commitment from the handler. The length of time it takes to get a Schutzhund title varies greatly depending upon the dogs abilities, the time spent training, and the quality of the training.

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. Schutzhund as a sport is enjoyed by persons of varied ages, professions and life styles.

Schutzhund is an active sport that has a lot to offer. It's held outdoors. It's a physical sport. It's mentally stimulating. Schutzhund is a demanding recreational sport that is both fun and very rewarding.

Degree Levels - Minimum Age Requirements

FH                              16 months
SchH A                          14 months
SchH I                          14 months
SchH II                         16 months
SchH III                        18 months

N - Not Acceptable                         0 - 109 points
U - Unsatisfactory                       110 - 219 points
S - Satisfactory                         220 - 239 points
G - Good                                 240 - 269 points
SG- Very Good                            270 - 285 points
V - Excellent                            286 - 300 points

Part B
Obedience (100 Points)
1- Heeling on Lead (15 Points)
2- Heeling off Lead (15 Points)
3- Walking Sit (10 Points)
4- Walking down with Recall (10 Points)
5- Retrieve on Flat Ground (10 Points)
6- Retrieving an Object over a Hurdle 1 Meter High (39 Inches) and 1.5 Meters Wide (59 Inches) (20 Points)
7- Go out with Down (10 Points)
8- Down Under Distraction (10 Points)

Part C
Protection (100 Points)

1- Hold and Bark (5 Points)

2- Attack on the Handler (30 Points)

3- Follow and Hold (Courage Test) (55 Points)

4- Fighting Instinct (Includes Courage and Hardness) (10 Points)

SchH II
Part A
Tracking (100 Points)

Search for articles on a track from 600-700 paces long, 30 minutes old, laid by a stranger.

Part B
Obedience (100 Points)

1- Heeling on Lead (10 Points)

2- Heeling off Lead (15 Points)

3- Walking Sit (5 Points)

4- Walking Down with Recall (10 Points)

5- Retrieving a 1 Kilogram (2 lb. 3 oz.) Dumbbell on Flat Ground (10 Points)

6- Retrieving a 650 gram ( 1 lb. 7 oz.) over a Hurdle 1 Meter High (39 inches) and 1.5 Meters Wide (59 inches) (15 Points)

7- Climbing Jump over a Scaling Wall 1.8 Meters (5 ft. 11 inches) and 1.3 Meters Broad (51 inches) Retrieving an Object (15 Points)

8- Go Out with Down (10 Points)

9- Down Under Distraction (10 Points)

Part C
Protection (100 Points)

1- Searching for the Helper (5 Points)

2- Hold and Bark (5 and 5, 10 Points)

3- Escape and Defense ( Escape 10 Points, Defense 30 Points )

4- Escort (5 Points)

5- Surprise Attack, Courage Test and Fighting Instinct (40 Points)

A- Surprise Attack and Courage Test (30 Points)

B- Fighting Instinct (Includes Courage and Hardness) (10 Points)

SchH III
Part A
Tracking (100 Points)

Search for articles on a track from 1200-1400 paces long, 50 minutes old, laid by a stranger.

Part B
Obedience (100 Points)

1- Heeling off Lead (10 Points)

2- Walking Sit (5 Points)

3- Running Down with Recall (10 Points)

4- Walking Stand-Stay (5 Points)

5- Running Stand-Stay (10 Points)

6- Retrieving a 2 Kilogram (4 lb. 6 oz.) Dumbbell on Flat Ground (10 Points)

7- Retrieving a 650 gram ( 1 lb. 7 oz.) over a Hurdle 1 Meter High (39 inches) and 1.5 Meters Wide (59 inches) (15 Points)

8- Climbing Jump over a Scaling Wall 1.8 Meters (5 ft. 11 inches) and 1.3 Meters Broad (51 inches) Retrieving an Object (15 Points)

9- Go Out with Down (10 Points)

10- Down Under Distraction (10 Points)

Part C
Protection (100 Points)

1- Searching for the Helper (5 Points)

2- Hold and Bark (5 and 5, 10 Points)

3- Escape and Defense ( Escape 10 Points, Defense 20 Points )

4- Escort (5 Points)

5- Attack, Courage Test and Re-attack (10 plus 10 plus 20, 40 Points)

6- Fighting Instinct (Includes Courage and Hardness) (10 Points)

FH
The dog exhibits his tracking ability on a track at least 3 hours old, laid by a stranger, with six ninety degree turns and crossed a minimum of three times at widely spaced points by a fresher decoy track. Four tracking articles, well saturated with the track layers scent are laid on the track at irregular intervals. The articles are found by the dog and are picked up or pointed out. Before the exercise the handler must inform the judge whether the dog will pick up or point out.

Ratings

0 - 35 Not Acceptable

36 - 69 Unsatisfactory

70 - 79 Satisfactory

80 - 89 Good (G)

90 - 95 Very Good (Sg)

96 - 100 Excellent (V)

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