We hope this website sparks an interest in you to be a part of the wonderful sport of Schutzhund.
What is SCHUTZHUND? The Germans call it "hundesport" dog sport. For many years, people from
Europe and north America have been drawn into this unique idea of participating in an active sport with their dog. Schutzhund is a sport for the outdoors, it is physical, it is mental. The demands are great but the rewards are greater...the thrive for competition and the beginning of new friendships.

Schutzhund started at the beginning of the century as a test for working dogs. Its initial purpose was to
determine which dogs could be used for breeding and which had true working ability. These dogs were needed for police, military, border patrol, customs, and herding. As the tests evolved, more people participated just for the sheer enjoyment of seeing if their own dog would measure up.
Sixty-plus years after the first formal Schutzhund rules were introduced, tens of thousands of people participate in the SPORT OF THE FUTURE.

Schutzhund tests 3 specific areas.

The first is TRACKING the dog is required to track footsteps over mixed terrain, change direction
and show absolute accuracy and commitment to find and stay on the track. The dog must also
find dropped articles and indicate their locations to the handler. Most find the tracking to be
the most satisfying experience in training, when only the handler and dog are working together.

The 2nd phase is OBEDIENCE There is heeling, both on and off lead. The sit, down and stand are also done. We work our dogs on stadium fields. The dog is required to work under the noise of a firing gun. (Must show no reaction) In addition to normal dumbbell retrieval, the dog must retrieve over a one meter jump and a 6 foot wall. Your dog must also do down stays and a long send away.

The final Phase is the most misunderstood by the public.
PROTECTION. It is very important to understand when watching a protection routine, is the relationship between the dog and handler. The dog must never bite the helper, unless either the dog
or the handler is attacked. Then the dog must attack fully and without hesitation. But here the real difference becomes apparent. The dog must always be under the absolute control of the handler.

The 3 phases of Schutzhund TRACKING, OBEDIENCE & PROTECTION are all done in one day.
Competitions are held all over the country. Trials are held by local clubs or in regional and national championships. Each dog is judged by a complex point system that determines the winner.
When a dog successfully completes the Schutund BH (basic obedience routine), it can then proceed to the Schutzhund I, SchH II and then the SchH III - each level makes greater demands on the dog.