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 owner.

Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts; tracking, obedience and protection work. (To find out more about each of these, click any of the components). Not only is the dog a key part of all of this but the handler plays a very crucial role as well; he/she has to be very consistent in the training and of what they expect of their dogs to be a success.

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. Schutzhund extends beyond the sport field as well, serving as a training ground and source of young dogs which may find their way into service as Police Service Dogs and in many countries, Search and Rescue Dogs.

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Traits of the Working Dog