INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT OF SCHUTZHUND

By Sher Belonus

Is your dog a toy maniac? Does he have energy to burn? Is he confident and fearless with people he doesn't know? Is he driven to learn new things and please you with his accomplishments? You just may have a dog that would enjoy Schutzhund!

Schutzhund is the German word for protection dog, though the protection aspect is only one part of the sport. The sport of Schutzhund originated in Germany almost 100 years ago as a test for police dogs and breeding stock, ensuring that the qualities needed for service work were present in both the dogs chosen for service and the stock used in breeding dogs for service. While it originated as a test for service, it is now considered more a sport then anything, both here in America and in Germany. The Germans call it hundsport (dog sport).

The sport of Schutzhund will test a dog on three levels. The first is tracking, the second obedience, and the third is protection.

Schutzhund is a very lengthily endeavor. The phases of the three parts of the sport require much time and dedication from both the handler and the dog. The judges are extremely stringent on the criteria that must be met. While the sport is a fun activity for the dog and handler, it is serious business in competition. Repetitive training is the name of the game, perfecting both the handler's and the dog's skills until they are second nature.

Three levels of expertise are attainable/awarded in Schutzhund - SCH1, SCH2, and SCH3. These varying levels of expertise reflect the extent of the dog's and the handler's skills. Each progressive level is a more demanding test of dedication and drive. Later in this series, we'll go into what each level of Schutzhund entails.

Not every dog will be suited for the sport of Schutzhund. While I wish in this article to encourage your interest and participation, I also feel it is important to convey that your dog needs certain characteristics to experience success in the sport. Disappointment is very possible when taking your dog to a Schutzhund trainer for evaluation, and I don't wish to set you up for a fall if the trainer deems your dog lacking in areas that are necessary. Having said that, lets talk about what you can look for in your dog as clues to his suitability for the sport.

1. Prey drive: If the dog exhibits a love of toys and is constantly playing with toys (Frisbee, tennis ball, squeaky toys) this can be an indicator of prey drive. The dog's desire to pounce, bite, and chase toys mimics what the dog would do with potential prey.

2. Confidence: The dog should be comfortable with people and areas unfamiliar to him. Cowering, hiding behind you, or shaking indicates that the dog is fearful of the people around him or his unknown surroundings. Confidence in the dog is very necessary in the sport. He will be expected to perform in strange surroundings with unknown people.

3. Trainability: A good candidate is a dog that loves to learn new things and please you with his accomplishments. The dog will be expected to take on many, sometimes complicated, skills. His desire to receive praise from you on a job well done is important in attaining these skills and will drive him on in the path of more complex trials.

4. Energy: Schutzhund is a very physical sport for the dog, requiring that he run, jump, retrieve, track, and defend. These trials can literally take all day, and the dog must have the energy level to complete each trial.

In some cases, these traits may bloom in your dog with the proper encouragement. Sometimes you won't be able to instill these traits no matter how hard you try. Every dog is unique in his levels of drive and confidence. There is no guarantee that a dog will be able to succeed in the sport even if he does exhibit the traits listed above. It indicates the possibility of suitability for the sport. The only way to know for sure is to have the dog evaluated by a trainer. The characteristics listed are merely a rough guideline for you to look for potential within your dog.

Schutzhund can be a very rewarding experience for you and your dog. If you think your dog may have what it takes for the sport, give it a try! You just may find that your dog adores it, and you are the proud owner of a future Schutzhund!

Coming soon: detailed articles on the three stages of Schutzhund and what they entail. Here's a table defining some of the acronyms associated with the sport of Schutzhund.