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.