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Author:
C. Covington

Will your new German Shepherd have what it takes for the notable classification Schutzhund?  This very special type of protection dog must pass rigorous tests and training, to prove that he possesses special character traits, in order to earn such an honor;  and the purpose of Schutzhund tests are to measure his intelligence, his trainability, courage, perseverance, his protective instinct and bond to his handler, and his desire to work.  While Schutzhund tests accurately assess whether the individual German Shepherd is suitable for such jobs as police work, many dog owners also find these tests and training appropriate, and there are clubs specifically for Schutzhund dogs and their owners. 

A German Shepherd must first pass a temperament test, prior to beginning Schutzhund training and testing. There are three phases of Schutzhund;  and your dog must pass and earn his title in each before being allowed to proceed to the next stage.  The first is tracking--  the dog is judged on how well he tracks, indicates and gains each article which has been dropped.  The second is obedience--  the dog is scored on such factors as obeying commands, retrieving, and his reaction to sudden, loud noises.  The element of control is the primary factor in the obedience testing.  The third is protection--  these tests judge the dog's ability and willingness to protect himself and the dog handler, as well as the absence of aggression, fear, or his inability to be controlled. 

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America were designed to both assist individual German Shepherd owners in learning about and practicing this sport as well as placing it on the level of competition.  In the United States, there are a number of regional clubs which hold events for their members.  There national and international competitions--  the next scheduled national event will be held in Carrollton, Georgia, from November 8-11, 2007;  the next International event will be held in 2008. 

To learn about the rules and regulations for membership, and where to find regional clubs in your area, the contact information is:  United Schutzhund Clubs of America, 3810 Paule Ave., St. Louis,  Missouri, 63125-1718;  or 314-638-9696.  Your regional club can also assist you in locating Schutzhund trainers in your area. 

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