What is the sport of Schutzhund?

The Germans call it “hundesport” or dog sport, literally translated "schutzhund" means “protection dog.” The modern day connotation references a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating a dog’s character by giving it work to do, and then comparing its performance with that of other working dogs while also noting the degree of teamwork displayed by the dog and its handler. While today other breeds actively participate in the sport, Schutzhund originated as a breeding evaluation test developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog to test the dog’s mental stability, endurance, physical structure, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage and trainability.  Oftentimes one hears “Schutzhund” described as a “canine triathlon” – which in many ways more accurately describes the present day “Schutzhund” athletes – both human and canine. 

While emphasizing control through obedience at all times, Schutzhund concentrates on three parts.  Many familiar with the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) methods and practices will immediately recognize the first two parts, obedience and tracking.  The criterion for the third phase, protection work, incorporates the control and finesse the dogs learn from the first two into the third so while it appears very similar to police work, the German protection sport differs in its nuances and principles.

Prior to being allowed to trial in the sport known today as Schutzhund, both the dog and his handler must achieve the “begleithunde” or “BH” degree – a basic obedience, safety, temperament and traffic test for the dog and for the first time handler, a written test.  Successful completion of the BH allows both to continue training and trialing in the sport which tests three specific areas of a dog’s training and behavior and emphasizes control in all aspects of the sport.

The first phase, tracking, requires the dog to track footsteps following a scent over mixed terrain, change direction and show absolute accuracy and commitment to finding the track.  The dog must also find dropped articles and indicate their locations to the handler.  This occurs on an aged track and sometimes occurs under less than ideal circumstances with difficult cover or bad weather conditions.  Many find tracking a most satisfying training experience and certainly the most peaceful part of Schutzhund.

Learning specific exercises and patterns occurs during the second phase, obedience.  Those familiar with AKC obedience will feel most comfortable in this area as many of the exercises resemble those in Open and Utility.  Here dogs learn focused heeling – both on and off lead.   They perform the sit, down and stand as part of a moving exercise. That’s where the similarity to AKC ends and the Schutzhund style of working becomes apparent.  Instead of a forty foot ring, the handler and dog work on a soccer sized trial field.  Some exercises require the dog to work under the noise of gunshots.  They retrieve a wooden dumbbell of various sizes on the flat, over a one meter jump and a six foot wall. A long send away and a down stay conclude the obedience portion of the trial.

Protection represents the final phase – and probably the most misunderstood – of this triathlon. The most important points to understand when watching a protection routine concern the relationship between the dog and handler.  One observes the control (learned in obedience and tracking) the dog exhibits and the respect for his handler despite the fact that he is working in drive – a condition similar to humans performing under adrenalin rush.  The dog must never bite the trial helper (bad guy) unless the helper attacks either the dog or the handler. When this happens, the dog must attack fully and without hesitation.  The control aspect comes into play when on the handler’s command; the dog must stop biting and guard the helper without displaying further aggression.  People often confuse Schutzhund protection training with police dog or personal protection work. The main difference with Schutzhund training remains the controlled finesse exhibited – that the dog is capable of never showing aggression except under those specific situations for which it has been trained to face, and then do so under the absolute control of the handler.  In addition, the dog directs all “bites” to the helper’s heavily padded, jute covered “sleeve” or arm protection.

Though demanding as individual tests of skill and endurance, a Schutzhund trial combines the three phases into a one day competition. Judges evaluate each dog/handler team according to complex point system that ultimately determines the winner of the trial.  Upon successfully completing the first trial the dog is awarded a Schutzhund I title.* Following this it progresses to Schutzhund II and finally the ultimate Schutzhund III.  In addition to these tests, teams can also earn individual tracking and obedience titles along with other titles in advanced tracking, temperament and endurance.