Schutzhund

What is Schutzhund?

The word “Sieger” means “Champion” in German and is a Schutzhund sport term used for qualified breeding German Shepherds.

The primary goal of Schutzhund is to test and prove a dog’s working ability and temperament, ensuring that only the best dogs contribute to the breed’s bloodlines. In Germany, a Schutzhund title (SchH1, SchH2, or SchH3) is required for both parents for their offspring to be recognized by the SV (Schaeferhundverein), the original German Shepherd Dog club.

The German Sieger Trials, organized by the SV and the USCA (United Schutzhund Clubs of America), showcase the best German Shepherds. The Bundessieger title is awarded to the German National Champion, while the Weltsieger title is given to the World Champion under the SV.

The end result is a dog unfazed by just about anything, with the closest possible relationship to his or her trainer. American breeders keep going back to Germany for breeding stock simply because German dogs are still generally the best in the world, and the Sieger trials are the reason.

Achievement in Schutzhund:

1. BH: public comportment. Stability in the presence of other dogs doing strange things (skateboard, for instance). Good basic obedience. Like the AKC CD title.
2. AD: Basically, run a half-marathon with two brief breaks, then do obedience at the end. Unless the trainer is an iron man competitor, he or she rides a bicycle. A GSD can trot effortlessly faster than almost any human being can run.
3. Conformation: Is the dog biomechanically sound? Does it LOOK like a German Shepherd? This has a couple of levels.
4. Schutzhund 1, 2, and 3 are progressively harder tests of obedience, ground-scent work, and the ability to take on an aggressive human “agitator” without losing control: place him under arrest following the orders of the handler, and protect the handler from attack.