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Schutzhund, a German sport creation,
meaning, Protection (Schutz) dog (Hund), was a dog sport developed
specifically for the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) breed sometime in
the early 1900's. The sport was created in order to test the
breeds intended performance ability, unlike the conformation shows
you see today where individual breeds are judged by breed standard
type and appearance inside the ring. Today, the trials are not
exclusive to the German Shepherd Dog. Several breeds are allowed to
participate in the ever rigorous Schutzhund trials. These breeds
are tested and expected to perform law enforcement like job duties,
protection or bite work and tracking, or search and rescue, being
two examples, and exhibit superior physical abilities, like agility
and strength.
Today, breeds typical for Schutzhund are
the Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Belgian Malinois, Dutch
Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flanders Standard Poodles
and like breeds, however, mixed breeds are also allowed to compete
in today’s Schutzhund trials. Some of the personality traits
these dogs must possess include high prey drive, a strong nerve,
intense work drive, high train ability and intelligence. Dogs must
be of sound mind and body to trial for Schutzhund, and if beginning
with a puppy, can possibly take up to two years. Instinct and spot
on training make the dogs of Schutzhund some of the most respected
dogs in animal sports, and highly prized for police and military
positions.
There are three categories in Schutzhund
that consists of protection, tracking and obedience.. There are
also three levels, or titles that may be obtained, depending on the
level of training. SchH1, Schutzhund 1, being the entry title,
SchH2, Schutzhund 2 and SchH3, Schutzhund 3, the most advanced
title. All three phases of obedience, tracking and protection must
be passed per trail for a minimum score of 70 on a 100 point scale,
for a dog to be awarded a Schutzhund title. Before dogs are allowed
to compete in Schutzhund trials, they must first perform and pass a
temperament test. B or BH, the acronym for Begleithundprüfung,
English translation is the traffic sure companion dog test. The BH
was created to observe the reaction of the dogs in situations such
as sudden loud noises, basic obedience, traffic, unusual obstacles,
unknown people and also other dogs. To pass the BH, the dog is
expected to refrain from showing extreme fear, flight, or
aggression. If the BH is not passed, the dog is not allowed to
compete in Schutzhund trials.
Schutzhund history was altered in 2004 by
the DHV, Deutscher Hundesportverein (German Dog Sport club) and the
SV, Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Club for German
Shepherds). At least in writing, the SV and DHV rendered control of
the sport to the Federation Cynologique Internationale. Rules that
had been dictated to govern IPO titles would now be implemented in
Schutzhund. The DHV then changed the title name. What was once SchH
(Schutzhund) is now assigned VPP, Vielseitigkeitsprüfung
für Gebrauchshunde, (Versatility examination for working
dogs). The SV maintains SchH Title names but otherwise, Conform to
the rules set forth by the FCI and DHV.
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