The Germans call it "hundesport", dog sport. The demands are great, but the sport also offers competition and new friendships. In short, it is what all recreational sports should first be: good exercise, fun and full of rewards for both the dogs and the handlers.

Schutzhund started at the beginning of this century as a test for working dogs. The initial purpose was to determine which dogs could be used for breeding by which had true working ability. The growing demand for working dogs made more sophisticated tests and training necessary. These dogs were needed for police training, border patrol, customs, military and herding. As these tests evolved, more people participated just for the enjoyment of seeing if their personal dogs could be trained as effectively as these "professional dogs".

Schutzhund tests three specific areas of a dog's training:

1.  The first, tracking, requires the dog to track footsteps over mixed terrain, change direction and show absolute accuracy and commitment to finding the track. It must also find dropped articles and indicate their locations to the handler. Often this is done under less than ideal circumstances with difficult cover, bad weather conditions and an aged track. Many find tracking to be the most satisfying experience in training, when only the handler and dog are working together.

2.  The second phase is obedience. Those who are familiar with AKC obedience will feel more comfortable in this area, as many of the exercises are similar to those in Open and Utility. There is heeling, both on and off lead. A moving sit, down and stand are also shown.  The venue is also different, instead of a forty foot ring, the handler and dog work on a soccer sized trial field. There are a lot of different exercises, some require the dog to work under the noise of a firing gun, heeling through a group of people that are moving, also there are long distance recalls.  There are several retrieve excercises--a retrieve on the flat, as well as a retrieve over a one meter hurdle and a six foot A-frame.  There is an honor down stay (approximately 5-15 minutes depending what level) and a long send away.  

3.  The final test is the most misunderstood by the general public--protection. The most important point to understand when watching a protection routine, is the relationship between dog and handler. The dog must never bite the trial helper, unless either the dog or the handler is attacked. Then it must attack fully and without hesitation.  The dog must also stop biting on the command of the handler and guard the trial helper without further aggression. Often people confuse Schutzhund protection training with police dog or personal protection work.  Schutzhund is a sport, and to play the sport successfully the dog must be capable to do the bitework, however they are also trained to never be aggressive except under those specific situations it is trained to face, and even then it must always be under the absolute control of the handler.

The above tests are difficult enough, but to make it even more demanding, they all happen in one day during competitions that are held all over the country. These trials are held by local clubs or in regional and national championships. Each dog is judged by a complex point system that then determines the winner of the trial.

When a dog successfully completes the first trial, it is awarded a title of Schutzhund I. It can then progress to Schutzhund II and, then finally to Schutzhund III. Each level makes ever greater demands on the dog in all three areas. Prior to being eligible to trial for a Shutzhund title, the dog and handler must complete and pass a temperment test that also include an obedience portion.  This test is called a Begleithund (BH).  A successful schutzhund dog makes a great companion and family pet.  Because of the amount of training required to pass a trial, good working dogs have great temperments, great focus and a high degree of intelligence. 

In addition to the Schutzhund I, II and III titles, other titles in advanced tracking, temperament tests, police training and agility work are awarded.

Schutzhund sport  is more than the small group that started in Germany a long time ago.  There are clubs and organizations that have several hundred thousand members, scattered across Europe, North America and several other continents.

^*Schutzhund has been changed to VPG (in German- Vielseitigkeitspruefung für Gebrauchshunde) which roughly translates into 'versatility test for working dogs.'