Schutzhund

The unique talents of the German Shepherd Dog is brought out in impressive form through Schutzhund training. "Schutzhund" is a German word meaning "protection dog." Schutzhund-trained dogs are not attack dogs; they are trained to ward off dangerous situations, not provoke them. The most important quality of a Schutzhund dog is complete control through obedience under distraction.

Schutzhund training has three parts: Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. The Tracking portion tests a dog's trainability, ability to follow a scent, and mental and physical endurance. In the Obedience portion, dogs perform a variety of exercises such as heeling, sitting, retrieving, and staying down and they must not be intimidated by distractions, including the sound of a gun or a group of strangers milling about. The Protection portion tests the dog's courage, strength, and obedience by requiring the dog to find a hidden person and defend its owner when needed.                                                                                                                   Available also are an Endurance Certificate (AD), and advanced Tracking Degree (FH1, FH2), and Police Dog degrees for service dog handlers and others.   

Schutzhund training and trials take place around the world. Schutzhund dogs are excellent candidates for canine law enforcement, search and rescue work and family companions. Although Schutzhund training is for all breeds, German Shepherd Dogs particularly excel due to their intelligence, their bravery, and their desire to please their masters.   

The sport of Schutzhund is open to all dogs as long as they can do the work. Traditionally, German Shepherds, Boxers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Airedales, Bouviers, and Giant Schnauzers have been the most common, with the German Shepherd dogs outnumbering them all.  

While Europe has enjoyed the benefits from the Schutzhund program for decades, Canada, until recently, adhered to the pet-obedience type of training. In 1979 the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada (GSSCC) was formed, bringing together individual clubs from across Canada. Trials are now held regularly with SV Judges and many titles have been awarded.  

 People do not wish to share their house or community with a potentially dangerous dog. ANY  dog is potentially dangerous. The large breeds of dogs needs to be handled by a responsible, knowledgeable person who will give a lot of understanding, affection, love, attention and MOST IMPORTANT of all, TRAINING to the dog. Anyone who lacks these basics should not  consider owning a dog and definitely not one of the large working breeds. For the responsible, private working dog owner; however, the Schutzhund sport has proven to be an ideal program. Training can be done in very small groups, training locations are readily available, time requirements are reasonable and benefits are obvious, knowing how a dog behaves in critical situations is reassuring and provides better control over the animal, eliminating in fact, so-called viciousness. The result is a happy, friendly but alert, controllable family dog that becomes an asset, not a nuisance or even a danger to society.

Terminology

Working titles For Working German Shepherds
SchH I,II, or III - Schutzhund I, II and III, ( Tracking, Obedience, and Protection work. )
IPO I, II or III, International

l SchH I, II and III - ( Internationalae Prufungsklasse I, II, and III)
FH = Most advanced tracking title for a tracking dog, - ( Faehrtenhund )
HGH = Herding dog,   (German term)-( Herdengebrauchshund )
ZH I, II = Customs dog,  (German term )-( Zollhund )
DPH = Service police dog, (German term)-(Dienstpolizeihund)
DH = Service dog, (German term)-(Diensthund)
PH = Police dogs, (German term)-(Polizehund)
PFP I, II = Police tracking dog I or II, (German term)-(Polizeifaehrtenhund I, II)
PSP I, II = Police protection dog I or II, (German term)-(Polizeischutzhundprufung I,II)
GrH = Border patrol dog, (German term)-(Grenzen Hund)
LawH = Avalanche rescue dogs, (German term)-(Lawinen Hund)
BIH = Guide dogs for the blind, (German term)-(Blindenhund)
BREED RATINGS
KKL, 1 - Korklasse, 1,Breed Surveyed Recommended For Breeding.
KKL, 11 - Korklasse, 11, Breed Surveyed Suitable For Breeding.
Lbz, - Lebenszet, Lifetime Rating.

Internationally recognised working titles