Julie & Mark
Hutchinson
Sunwolf Cottage,
Leicestershire, U.K
Tel: 01509 881192
Mob: 07813 860221
What is Schutzhund? A Basic Introduction to the Sport
Schutzhund which literally means "Protection Dog" was originally developed as a method of selecting the right temperament and working ability of German Shepherds to be used to progress the breed.
As the German Shepherd grew in popularity a competitive element entered these tests and the sport that we now know to represent "Schutzhund" was born.
The modern sport of Schutzhund (Sch H) has recently been renamed Vielzeitigskeitspruefung fuer Gebrauchshunde (VPG) by the working dog council of Germany.
The translation "Versatility Test for Utility (Working) Dogs" although quite a mouthful, does give a better representation to what the sport represents however, to many the sport will always be known as "Schutzhund"
The sport itself is broken into three very distinct phases which in basic terms are:
Tracking
During this phase the dog is required to follow the scent left by a humantracklayer. The scent is made up of various components which is primarily crushed grass & insects but includes the personal scent of the individual laying the track. It may also include scent deposits from footwear such as rubber or leather.
The dog is attached to the handler by means of a 10 meter line. The handler follows the dog around the track recovering any items of property that the dog locates on the track. The dog must indicate the presence of property on the track in a passive manner without interfering with it.
Throughout this exercise he handler must not influence the dog by voice commands or use of the line. At the highest level (Sch H3) the track will be laid by a stranger at least 60 minutes earlier. The track has four turns and there are three articles to be recovered.
Obedience
The obedience phase includes heelwork at slow, normal & fast pace, left, right & about turns with the dog being left in static positions at specific points in the routine.
There is a temperament test included where the dog is walked through a group of people.
Agility comprises of a 1 meter high hurdle and a 6 feet high scale with the dog being required to retrieve a dumbbell over each jump. Other exercises include a send away, a long down and a retrieve of a 2000g dumbbell (just over 4lb).
Protection
The protection work phase is not just about the dogs ability to bite. There is a huge emphasis on control of the dog.
This phase begins with the dog being directed towards hides or blinds that are set out on the field. On reaching the hide the dog searches to locate a criminal. If no criminal is present the handler directs the dog to the next blind until such time as the dog indicates by barking that it has located someone.
Once the criminal (known as a helper) has been found they are searched by the handler while the dog is under control, the helper will then attempt to escape and the dog must stop them in a determined manner by holding onto the arm (sleeve).
The dog must release its hold when the handler directs it to do so.
The dog and handler then escort the helper back to the judge. During the escort the helper will attack the handler and the dog must engage the them preventing the attack.
The final part of this phase is a test of courage with a helper running at the dog in a threatening manner armed with a stick (a padded flexible stick is used). The dog is released from the opposite end of the field and is required to engage the helper in a fast determined manner. On command from the handler the dog must release its hold.
Schutzhund
The Schutzhund Titles
The BH-Begleithund (Companion Dog) title is a pre-requirement for Schutzhund titles. All breeds and sizes are eligible with the minimum age requirements of 15 months. A short written multi choice examination is a prerequisite of taking the BH test.
There are three levels of Schutzhund tests
Schutzhund 1. The dog must be at least 18 months old and pass an initial temperament test by the judge. The dog must heel on and off leash, demonstrate the walking sit, the walking down, and the stay tests, as well as the send-out. It must retrieve on the flat and over a hurdle. In tracking, it must be able to follow a track laid by its handler at least 20 minutes earlier. There are also protection tests.
Schutzhund 2 the dog must be at least 19 months old and must already have earned its Schutzhund 1 degree. It must again pass all of the obedience and protection tests required for the Schutzhund 1 degree, but those tests, for Schutzhund 2, are made more difficult and require greater endurance, agility, and, above all, control. There is an additional retrieve required over the six foot scale. In tracking, the Schutzhund II candidate must be able to follow a track laid by a stranger at least 30 minutes earlier.
Schutzhund 3, the master's degree, the dog must be at least 20 months old and must have earned both the Schutzhund 1 and the Schutzhund 2 titles. Again, the tests now are made far more difficult. All exercises in obedience and protection are demonstrated off leash. There is the addition of a walking and running stand. In tracking, the dog must follow a track that was laid by a stranger at least 60 minutes earlier. The track has four turns, compared with two turns for Schutzhund 1 and 2, and there are three objects, rather than two, that must be found by the dog.