What is Schutzhund ?
Schutzhund is a German word meaning "protection dog". It refers to a sport that focuses
on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier
companions to their owners. Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts. Many are familiar
with the obedience work of the American Kennel Club's affiliates and will recognize the first
two parts, tracking and obedience. The Schutzhund standards for the third part, protection
work, are similar to those for dogs in police work.
While dogs of other breeds are also actively involved in the sport of Schutzhund and often
follow similar criteria for breeding purposes, this breed evaluation test was developed
specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's
intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability,
endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and
trainability.
This working dog sport offers an opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete
with each other for recognition of both the handler's ability to train and the dog's ability to
perform as required. It is a sport enjoyed by persons of varied professions, who join together
in a camaraderie born of their common interest in working with their dogs. Persons of all
ages and conditions of life even those with significant disabilities enjoy Schutzhund as a
sport. Often, it is a family sport. |
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