Schutzhund - For the Sport of it
Schutzhund is similar to 3-day eventing with horses. It may take up to 2 years to become ready to trial in schutzhund, especially if you are starting with a young puppy. The most difficult part is to find the correct dog for the work. It takes a very sound animal in both mind and body to compete.

They judge you in the sport of Schutzhund in three areas:

• schutzhund-tracking
  
• schutzhund-obedience
  
• schutzhund-protection
  

Before the Schutzhund Trial

You must first pass a temperament test and obtain a BH degree to be able to compete in schutzhund. The BH is an obedience degree and temperament evaluation only, not a schutzhund title. There are minimum age requirements to enter your dog in these schutzhund events.   

Recent Rule Changes in Schutzhund

Attention: Major rule changes are in place now that will be effective the first of March 2004. This will mean that the only time you will present your dog on leash is for the BH only. No longer will the on leash heeling be required in the schutzhund 1 and schutzhund 2 levels. The points for the heeling on leash exercise will be replaced by the retrieve over the wall jump in schutzhund one and the stand in motion in the schutzhund 2.  

General and Specific Rules regarding Tracking as discussed at the WUSV Judges meeting

Club must provide appropriate grounds for all levels

Judge is responsible for the track laying and should be present if possible

SchH 3 tracks must each be laid in a different pattern

SchH 1&2 tracks should be laid in different patterns

Normal paces at all corners. The pace used in the straight is the same in the turn.

The scent pad does not have a criteria for the amount of time to be spent at the start

Starts (scent pad) runs into the evaluation of the first leg of the track

Just do not say "correct work", describe why the work is correct

If a dog checks briefly to left/right, but does not leave the track, it is not faulty if the dog is intensive and self assured. Principle being, no one knows what may have effected the scent (animal, difficult portion,change of terrain)

It is not faulty for a dog to stop briefly at a corner, check left/right then continue. This is if the dogs did not leave the track and does not circle, but merely checked with his head.

If the corner is laid in a change of terrain, or in very difficult conditions, different from the straight leg, it may not be faulty if the dog stays within one meter and is not hectic.

Speed and work of the dog must be constant, only if the terrain is constant

It is not faulty if a dog overshoots or corner slightly because of wind or severe terrain changes at a corner (slightly is under 1 meter)

Describe the 100 point exercise

Article indication must be convincing and sure, and in the direction of the track. If a dogs tracks slow and his behavior at the article is with the same speed and definition as the track, then is may not be faulty

Judge must be in a position to properly see all aspects of the tracking. However, the judge should not interfere with the dog's ability to work.

By principal at dog could miss all the articles and make 80 points, a good rating. However, there is a fault in the dogs behavior and therefore must only get a satisfactory

Laying of a dogs body part, including the head on the article is faulty

Any influence to down the dog at the article should be rated as 0 points

On dogs that retrieve the articles, the dogs are rated in similar approach as to the dumbbell exercises. The dog must sit in front and must hold the article calmly

If a dog should swallows a retrieved article, the dog can only receive high "I"

If dog refuses to release the article, the dog must be disqualified for disobedience

The dog must be responsible for 100% of the decisions on the track

At the start. Once the handler sets up and allows the dog to go, the handler cannot move once the line starts through their hands

If you allow a person to track on a short line (under 10 meters), and do not discover the mistake until after the track, there is not fault to the dog and handler

Praising the dog on the track is not faulty. However, the dog cannot be praised at the start until the handler is walking down the track with the dog, and, at the corners, may not be praised until the dog is well committed into the leg. A suggested guideline is that the handler is following the dog into the leg as well.

A dog that tracks with an open mouth in very difficult conditions and long on tracks, may not be faulty since this could be a mechanism for cooling itself, as long as the dog is tracking intently and with deep nose.

Set up for tracking 2-4 meters from the start point.

Article indication. Once the dog has indicated the article, the handler has two options for praising the dog. 1st; the handler shows the article, then after approval puts the article away. Then a touching of the dog is permitted before picking up the tracking line. The other alternative is that the handler may praise the dog (even with touching) before showing the article. The handler may do one or the other, but not both.

 

New VDH rules for schutzhund

• Tracking
  
  • Size and material of the articles must be strictly enforced.
    
  • In SchH1 and SchH2 it is possible to place first article upon judges instruction on first track leg.
    
  • Numbering of articles is not necessary for local club trials.
    
  • Command “Such” only at the start and after the articles.
    
  • Repetition of the command as well as praising during tracking is not allowed.
    
    
    
• Obedience SchH 1 – 3
   
  
  • Report off leash.
    
  • Top of 1 meter jump has to be steady, (No broom or flip-flop).
    
  • Check weight on dumbbells.
    
  • Only dumbbells provided by hosting club are allowed.
    
  • In the go ahead exercise the command “platz” only upon the judges signal.
    
    
    
• Protection
   
  
  • Marking the trial place for the different exercises is absolutely necessary even in local trial.
     
    
  • In the blind search only the same command during entire exercise, either “voran” or “revier”. Using one command on certain blinds and another one at other blinds is not allowed.
     
    
  • Place of handler during blind search in SchH1 is between blind 4 and 5. In SchH2 place is between blind 3 and 4.After the exercise bark and hold the dog needs to be called to heel. Only in SchH1 it is still allowed to pick up the dog.
     
    
  • The protection routine needs to be terminated if the dog can not be called out of the blind with 3 commands. In the attack after the escape the dog will not be driven towards the handler. The disarming of the helper is done without helper raising his arms. Handler does not go with dog behind blind in the “long bite”, but will send dog from marked point.
    

About the Schutzhund Site

On the left of this page are links to specific articles for tracking, obedience and message board for those of you wanting to ask trainers that are more experienced, questions about your particular schutzhund training goals. An area to list puppies and dogs for sale as well as items related to working dogs and the sport of schutzhund on the message forum.
 
If you enjoy the site, please take a minute to sign the forum! I have been collecting these articles for many years. If you have something to contribute, please feel free to get in touch with me so I can add it to the growing list of training articles for the sport of schutzhund and other working dog activities. If you have a great picture, send it for the cover page.

AIM name is lindadobe if you would like to chat.