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.
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