Schutzhund?

[caseyolee]

I have been wondering about his FOREVER!!!! Could someone please explain to me what it is, where they do it, and anything else you know about it? I think I watched it on TV once and it looked amazing, but I can't remember if it was called Schutzhund or not...heck, I don't even know if I'm spelling it right LOL. What kind of dogs do they use for it? How can I get into it....like go watch it?

Any info?

 

[stirder]

okay, easy fun question. YAY!!! lol.
schuzthund is a working dog sport designed by max von stephanitz as a way of testing german shepherds, but also other breeds abilities in tracking, obedience and protection. It consists of schutzhund 1 title, schutzhund 2 title, schutzhund 3 title. there are others but those are the basics. each title requires all 3 phases = protection, obedience, tracking. each level (1,2, or 3) is harder than the last, both for the handler and the dog.
the most common schutzhund breeds in order are the german shepherd, doberman pincher, belgian malinois, rottweiler, and giant schnauzer. that will vary depending on the area of the country and world you are in. There are also bouvier des flanders, pit bulls, presa canarios, dogo argentinos, american bulldogs, labs, chesapeake bay retrievers, and many more who occasionally train in the sport. there has also been a Jack Russel Terrier who recieved a sch III title.
where do they train and compete? everywhere. to find a club in your area take a look at this website.... http://germanshepherddog.com/clubs/index.htm
I can't speak for every club, but every club I have ever visited enjoys having people come to watch and learn. Most club trainers will be happy to answer any and all questions, as will the majority of the members. Just keep in mind that if you visit a club, the trainer will most likely be pretty busy training dogs on the field so most of your questions will have to be asked of the members on the side lines waiting their turns and watching. I also recommend the book "Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods" by susan barwig and stewart hilliard.
I am more than happy to go into more detail on each phase, and each phase of each level if you would like.

 

[caseyolee]

Awesome reply stirder. Thanks!

Is is hard to train for? It sounds EXCITING!

If you have the time, I'd like to know more about the protection, tracking, and obedience tests and what they have to do in each.

 

[stirder]

yes it is hard to train for, but its also a lot of fun. I will gladly go into detail for each of those phases, for each level (sch I, II, and III). this'll take a while though, I have to run an errand right now though. I'll be back in about an hour, maybe less.

 

[caseyolee]

I'll check back in a while then THANKS!

 

[luvmydogs]

okay, easy fun question. YAY!!! lol.
schuzthund is a working dog sport designed by max von stephanitz as a way of testing german shepherds, but also other breeds abilities in tracking, obedience and protection. It consists of schutzhund 1 title, schutzhund 2 title, schutzhund 3 title. there are others but those are the basics. each title requires all 3 phases = protection, obedience, tracking. each level (1,2, or 3) is harder than the last, both for the handler and the dog.
the most common schutzhund breeds in order are the german shepherd, doberman pincher, belgian malinois, rottweiler, and giant schnauzer. that will vary depending on the area of the country and world you are in. There are also bouvier des flanders, pit bulls, presa canarios, dogo argentinos, american bulldogs, labs, chesapeake bay retrievers, and many more who occasionally train in the sport. there has also been a Jack Russel Terrier who recieved a sch III title.
where do they train and compete? everywhere. to find a club in your area take a look at this website.... http://germanshepherddog.com/clubs/index.htm
I can't speak for every club, but every club I have ever visited enjoys having people come to watch and learn. Most club trainers will be happy to answer any and all questions, as will the majority of the members. Just keep in mind that if you visit a club, the trainer will most likely be pretty busy training dogs on the field so most of your questions will have to be asked of the members on the side lines waiting their turns and watching. I also recommend the book "Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods" by susan barwig and stewart hilliard.
I am more than happy to go into more detail on each phase, and each phase of each level if you would like.

yup.ditto. SCHUTZ means PROTECTION, and HUND means DOG in german...

 

[caseyolee]

I guess I should start learning German HUH? LOL

 

[stirder]

okay. Intro to Schutzhund... Im going to go through each phase of schutzhund: tracking, obedience, and protection. Im going to start off by showing a diagram of each phase with a description of what is reguire in each level, then describe how to start a dog (say 1-2 years and up because the bite work is different with a puppy) in each phase for a schutzhund I trial.
TRACKING:
schutzhund 1 tracking pattern...http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/angel_perrer/100_0625.jpg

sch II tracking pattern...http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/angel_perrer/100_0627.jpg

sch III pattern and below it is the FH Pattern...http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/angel_perrer/100_0628.jpg

for sch 1 tracking you track is laid 300-400 paces long and about 20 minutes old, with 2 articles for the dog to locate. for sch II the track is identical except 400-500 paces long and atleast 30 minutes old.
for sch III the track is 800-1,000 paces long, atleast 50 minutes old with 4 turns and 3 articles.
for FH the track is laid by a stranger, at least 1,000 paces long, atleast 3 hours old, normally 6 turns, 4 articles, and 3 points where another stranger crosses the track, the elevation and terrain vary throughout the track.
in all of these the dog is required to follow the ground sent, not the scent carried by the wind. cutting corners during trial is a disqualification.
tracking points scoring system for all 3 levels: 96-100 points = excellent. 90-95 points = very good. 80-89 = good. 70-79 = satisfactory. 36-69 = faulty. 0-35 = insufficient.

to begin training on a dog for tracking: the looser the soil the better for 2 reasons. #1 is so you (the handler) can see the trail after creating it. #2 will be evident in a moment. for this I far prefer a loose, recently plowed/tilled field. without the dog present set up a track. for a beginner dog make it a straight line about 20-30 paces long, any longer the dog will get bored with the repetitive searching/tracking. loose soil so you can dig your heel in every step. heel to toe, heel to toe. in every other heel mark leave a tiny peice of hot dog (or whatever your dogs favorite, small, non-filling treat is). leave something at the ending point of the track to signal the dog, he/she is tracking something or someone, not just sniffing the dirt. I like to use a leather glove, tennis ball, kong toy, etc. now go get your dog (should be nearby, not a 15-30 minute drive home), put a leash on (regular collar or tracking harness, not a corrective collar), get the dog excited and show them the first foot print. at first you may have to show them the first 3 or 4 to get the idea. if they start to veer away from your track, do not correct them but encourage them to come back to the track and praise them when they get it right. young dogs who have never done it before may even try to backtrack, its okay because at this stage especially it is all a game, just shw them where it is again and let them know you're happy when they get it.
when they get to the end (I said a tennis ball or kong so they get excited) encourage them to play with the item. don't worry, as they gain experience and understand what they are supposed to do you will train them to sit or lie down when they find the article.

 

[stirder]

Obedience:
this is a diagram of the sch III obedience test, I dont have a diagram for sch I and II.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/angel_perrer/100_0618.jpg
sch I obedience test:
heeling off leash = 15 points: "heel" you begin walking forward 40 paces then turn around and come back.
heeling off leash = 20 points: handler moves with his/her dog out of the crowd, removes the leash, walks back into the crowd and repeats the heeling excercise. at the judges command the team heels away from the group. after going approximately 15 paces a gun is fired once and then again several seconds later. if the dog shows signs of stress or fearit will lose some points due to aggression or gun fear. if the judge isnt sure about the dogs fear/stress he may have additional shots fired.
sit in motion = 10 points: begin with sit at heel, move forward with dog briskly (off leash) for atleast 10 paces, command "sit", dog should stop and sit instantly.without looking at the dog or hesitating (to see if command was obeyed) the handler contiues at same pace for another 30 paces, turns and faces the dog, after a few seconds return to dog and walk right around to his/her right side. if dog stops but stands or downs instead of sitting it loses 1/2 points from excercise. if does not stop, or returns to handler after he/she goes 30 paces and faces dog, loses 1/2 points.
down with recall = 10 points: begin with sit at heel, team moves forward off leash. after atleast 10 paces command dog to down. dog should stop and down instantly. handler conitues 30 paces, turns and faces dog. on judges command call the dog to you. dog should run right to handler and sit directly in front of handler. then on handlers command the dog finishes to the heel position. it is considered a double command to use the dogs name on the recall. dog looses 1/2 possible points for excercise if stops on down commannd but fails to down.
retrieve on the flat = 10 points: sitting in heel position, handler throws a dumbbell or personal article approximately 10 paces inf ront of dog. he may not signal the dog to stay as in akc regulations for the excercise. when commanded to do so the dog immediatly fetches the article and returns with it to his handler. once the dog sits straight in front and presents the dumbbell, the handler removes it and commands the dog to finish to the heel position. the dog will lose points if it drops or plays with the dumbbell, or if the handler moves from his/her original position during the retrieve. dog will also lose 20% of points for excercise if handler must give additional commands.
retrieve over meter jump = 15 points: dog sitting at handlers side, handler stands an appropriate distance from the jump, throws an article over the jump, commands the dog to "hup". as the dog clears the the jump in midair the handler may give 1 additional command to get the article. dog should get the article, jump back over the jump, sit directly in front of the handler and present the article. again, after taking the article the handler commands the dog to finish to heel position. for this excercise points are deducted as follows: 2 points-lightly touching the hurdle. 3 points-stepping on the hurdle. 4 points-dropping, mouthing or playing with the article. 10 points-refusing the return jump but article retrieved (going around hurdle). 10 points-refusing the jump going out but rest correct. 10 points-jumping correctly but not retrieving article.
send away and down = 10 points: the dog and handler move forward briskly off leash. after a few paces signal dog straight ahead with right arm and command "go out". dog should move out quickly in a straight path for atleast twenty five paces. when commanded "down" should turn toward the handler and drop immediatly to the down. handler pauses a few seconds then walks out to the dog and stands in heel position (dog doesnt move, you get in position), excercise is complete when he commands the dog to sit. deductions made if dog does not go out the proper distance or does not go straight. dog loses points for downing slowly or downing before commanded.
long down under distraction = 10 points: (this one may seem confusing) in this excercise another dog performing obedience excercises is used as a distraction for the competing dog. at the beginning of one dogs excercise 2nd dog isd put into a "down stay" (stay is not an allowed command in trials, sit/down etc include stay without an extra command, or points deducted). the other handler then heels the dog to a place indicated by the judge, removes the leash and downs the dog. he walks away about 40 paces and stands with back to the dog. the dog must remain in the same position throughout the other dogs excercises. the the dog moves approximately 3 yards from original postition (regardless of whe he does it) no points will be awarded for entire excercise.

 

[stirder]

schutzhund 1 protection:
heres a photo of the field < and > are the blinds...http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/angel_perrer/100_0619.jpg
hold and bark (5 points): before the team walks onto the field, the helper (agitatior/bad guy) hides behind one of the blinds. on judges command team heels to the midline between 2 blinds. on judges signal the handler removes the leash from the dogs collar and sends the dog to the blind. when the dog reach the helper it must harass him by staying close and barking loudly, powerfully, and aggressively. the helper does not move or show aggression toward the dog in any way, and must not be bitten. dog loses points for bumping or biting, not barking with enough force, or being less than completely vigil (looking to see where handler is, etc).
attack on handler 30 points: at the end of the hold and bark judge instructs handler to go to his dog and taking its collar, pull it away from the helper. the helper leaves the blind and once he is clear the handler and dog step into it. meanwhile the helper moves to a new blind (dog cant see what he is doing). at judges signal team heels on leash in direction of new blind. still in motion the handler removes the leash and contiues heeling toward the blind. simulating an attack on the handler the helper charges out of the blind. without command the dog should immediatly attack the helper and bite hard and full on the sleeve. during fight the helper drives the dog and strikes dog twice with a flexible reed stick. at judges command the helper stops fighting and freezes. the handler commands the dog to "out" and dog must release its bite. dog wont get schutzhund title if it does not out properly atleast once during the routine. after the out the dog should remain near the helper and closely guard him. the dog may bark or not and it may sit stand or lie down but must remain vigilant and concentrated on the helper. at judges signal handler advances and again takes dog by collar so helper may step away.
pursuit and courage test (60 points): helper runs away down the field making threatening gestures at the team as he goes. on judges command handler sends the dog to pursue helper who is now about 50 paces downfield. when dog is about 30 paces away from him the helper turns around and runs directly toward the dog while still making threatening gestures and noises. the dog should not hesitate: it should charge straight at him and bite. helper fights the dog for 5 or 6 seconds without striking with the stick, then freezes. handler has staid in one place the whole time, now commands the "out". handler should wait for judges signal before going to his dog. then the handler and dog escort the helper to the judge. handler walks on helpers right side, dog on leash between them. dog should remain vigilant but nicely at heel and under handlers control. this is the side transport.
judge evaluates the fighting instincts of dog throughout the entire trial. animal must have strong spirit and drive, and have a firm full grip on the bite sleeve in order to get maixmum points. if during any protection excercise the dog returns to handler or doe snot pay enough attention to the helper it may recieve no more than a "sufficient fighting drive score", rather than "pronounces fighting drive". a dog thats not under control of handler, doesn not release its grip when commanded to "out" or refuses to bite during the courage test or during the attack on handler will not pass.

 

[stirder]

now I guess it is question time. who wants to go first to see what I left out or didnt explain clearly enough??
oh and yes it means protection dog, though if you ask a german to translate they will tell you it means working hound. and german is a good thing to learn. heres basic commands in german and english...
bringst = bring/retrieve
fuss = heel
hier = come
platz = down
sitz = sit

an AD is an endurance degree.
agitator is bad guy
a BLH is a guide dog for the blind
bundesleistungssieger = german national working dog champion
DH = service dog
europameister = worl champion schutzhund III dog
FH = most advanced tracking degree
HGH = herding dog
hutesieger = herding dog champion at the german herding dog championship
INT1 = international training degree
thats a good start

 

[stirder]

if someone says they have a sieger dog, they have a grand victor from the sieger show. sieger show is a national competition between sch III dogs. each country (america, germany, canada are the ones I know) has 1 sieger dog per year. to my knowledge there has never been a sieger from american bloodlines.

 

[yuckaduck]

It is awesome to watch these dogs in action. Did you realize in Canada it is not recognized as anything more than obedience training, I believe they refer to it as advanced obedience. The dogs that compete in it are not considered to be working dogs here. The police departments don't even look at those dogs, what a shame they say they are programmed to follow commands but are unable to react in the line of duty. Don't know how true it is? I'm not argueing here at all I think they must be pretty darn good dogs to have the ability to do it. It is strictly a sport here and if they are going to look at purchasing dogs for patrol work they would rather import than try a schtzhund dog. That was our original intent with Yukon because we want to specialize in police dog breeding but if we pursued it they would not purchase our pups. Seems kinda silly but so be it. So Yukon gets to train as a formal police dog and if he passes all tests including temperment, and xrays then we will need to find a retired police working female who has also passed all temperment and xrays to breed with if we hope to sell to policing agencies. I still think the Schtzhund dogs are awesome but that is the word here in Canada.

 

[stirder]

thats actually true, but what is silly about it is the majority of schutzhund dogs are either imported from germany or czechoslavakia, or bred from imported dogs. the dogs american and canadian law enforcement agencies purchase are the exact same. I imported Strider last January. he was 1 year old with a sch I title. 3 of his brothers came to america for police departments, 1 sister and 1 brother went to manitoba for police. all had sch I.

 

[yuckaduck]

thats actually true, but what is silly about it is the majority of schutzhund dogs are either imported from germany or czechoslavakia, or bred from imported dogs. the dogs american and canadian law enforcement agencies purchase are the exact same. I imported Strider last January. he was 1 year old with a sch I title. 3 of his brothers came to america for police departments, 1 sister and 1 brother went to manitoba for police. all had sch I.

Canada does not import from Germany anymore, they use too. It changed Jan 1, of this year. The RCMP is trying to contract every policing dog agency to deal and import only through them but this is not going over well at all. The BC police on Vancouver island really like the German breed Shepherd's and the Beligian Malinos. I have a few contacts that hve looked at Yukon and think the drive and intent that he shows is great. That is why he is so hard headed to rain because he has a very strong drive. Here the policing guys have a set idea and that is why they are short dogs and are in near desperation right now. They are to picky for what they want. Absolutely now show dogs within the bloodlines period, why? If they can pass the tests and do the work why are they not even considered? Maybe it is just me but I find it rather silly.

 

[caseyolee]

thanks for the explanations stirder

 

[stirder]

I wasnt aware of the change. I know striders siblings from the same litter went to canada, and I know strider got here january 18th, but if they changed on january 1st his siblings must have been imported earlier. he was 11 1/2 months when we imported him so its very possible they came sooner. one other sibling in his litter went to a family in california, a male I think. and the last (or 1st born, but only one left) sibling went to either baton rouge louisiana or new orleans louisiana, either way shes only several hours away and also a family dog but she has a spay neuter clause. she was the only one in the litter without the drive or look (quality either way) for show or work.
In america I dont know if they go so far as to not allow any showlines in the pedigree, but almost every law enforcement and military organization that uses dogs buys working line dogs. typically working lines are better at working and not as good at showing, and showlines are better for shows and not as good at working. Strider is german showlines with a little working way back thrown in. Triiumphs Gucci of http://whirlingthunder.com/whirlingthunder_008.htm is one of the top schutzhund dogs in the world, he is from showlines. so showlines can deffinetly work, and work very well, its just more likely if you get a dog from the same lines as you want the dog to do. If I wanted a dog who could win high level herding trials I would by from champion herding lines.
So basically, I dont fully understand what the canadian authorities are looking for, but from what you describe it seems sensible. Perhaps a little too selective, but not rediculous.

 

[yuckaduck]

That is their criteria, working lines only and the more proven patrol police dogs the better. That's why they are after Yukon's puppies even a 5 months of age which we would never use him until all temperment and xrays pass. He has 8 generations of only patrol police dogs, I believe one of those dogs was a drug sniffer. Oh for shame for shame. His grandmother, was retired due to aggressive behaviour, and his mom was retired due to a stab wound. His father served in Perth, Ontario for 10 years when he got shot in the butt with a shotgun, and after that froze everytime he heard a gun. His handler said he was unable to train him with positive reinforcement, funny to say his fathers name was Yukon as well and just before this last litter was born, also his first litter, Yukon broke his leg in a freak accident. His handler died from cancer three weeks later, so as a tribute and an honour at least we hope, we named this little monster Yukon, he is the only male and none of the females had the drive. Imagine and this dope has too much drive. We paid big bucks for this dog, it was my downpayment for my house. So we are trying very hard with this guy.
I learned alot about the sport of Schtzhund because I knew nothing before so thanks for the information.

 

[stirder]

no problem. I expected a bunch of questions by now...did I really explain it that well? if so I am amazed with myself lol.

 

[Melissa_W]

You explained it really well! I didn't really know a thing about it before, but it actually sounds quite interesting. It sounds like something I could get in to. I would have to wait until I could get another dog though. Just thinking about training Skye to do anything even remotely like that just makes me laugh my butt off. lol!

I believe you said that german shepherd were the most common, but in your opinion, are they also the best for this work?