WHAT SCHUTZHUND IS?

Schutzhund (pronounced "SHUTS-hund," where the "u" sounds just like "book") is a German word meaning "protection dog". It was first developed in Germany at the turn of the century as a comprehensive test of the German Shepherd Dog to evaluate its suitability for breeding as a working dog.
One hundred years later, many thousands of German Shepherd Dog owners and breeders worldwide continue to utilize Schutzhund as a test of their breeding program. Worldwide members also compete in the sport of Schutzhund because it focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in the dogs that ensure outstandingly reliable and confident companionship.
The superior working German Shepherd Dogs that achieve their Schutzhund titles are selected by discriminating breeders of the German Shepherd Dog around the world to be their foundation sires and dams. Schutzhund is a cornerstone of breedworthiness evaluation upon which many historically proven working, sporting, and companion German Shepherd Dog bloodlines have been established.
The core Schutzhund titles -- SchH1, SchH2 and SchH3 -- require successful completion of three distinct phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. While dogs of other breeds are often seen competing at Schutzhund trials, this breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog’s sound temperament, intelligence, and utility. The three phases of the Schutzhund trial tests and evaluates the dog’s mental stability, endurance, physical soundness, scentwork, work ethic, courage, and trainability. These characteristics are at the core of the German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard.
The Schutzhund Trial There is nothing quite so exciting as a Schutzhund competition. The typical Schutzhund trial will feature a number of dogs showing for Bh, the basic obedience degree, or for their tri-phase SchH1, SchH2, or SchH3 title. The endurance test, the AD, is often offered early in the morning while other dogs are on the tracking field completing their Schutzhund 1, 2, or 3 tracking phases or showing for the advanced tracking titles, the FH1 or FH2.
Beginning with tracking on grass, sod, or plowed earth, a Schutzhund trial continues throughout the day. Immediately after all of the dogs complete their tracking phase and the judge critiques and scores their performance, the second phase, obedience, is conducted back on the trial field. Again, the judge will evaluate each dog's performance and report to all in attendance the formal critique of the team and the score for that phase.
The third and final phase, protection, rounds out a thrilling opportunity to watch many of the dog and handler teams achieve the victory of a new title by successfully completing all three phases with satisfactory scores.
Nationwide Events With hundreds of Schutzhund clubs around the world, you can usually find one near you. Just about any time of year you will have the opportunity to observe an exciting Schutzhund trial or the natural drama of watching a German Shepherd Dog tending the flock at a herding trial.

The three parts of a Schutzhund trial--

Tracking:
The tracking phase includes a temperament test to assure the dog's mental soundness. When approached closely on a loose leash, the dog should not act shyly or aggressively. The track is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as dirt or grass. The track includes a number of turns and a number of small, man-made objects left by this person on the track itself. At the end of a 30-foot leash, the handler follows the dog which is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of the objects, usually by lying down with it between its front paws. The tracking phase is intended to test the dog's trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance. (Section "A": 100 points maximum; 70 points minimum)

Obedience:
The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of which are closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling, there is a gun shot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to such loud sounds. There is also series of field exercises in which the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the handler. With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. (Section "B": 100 points max; 70 points min).

Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions, at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog's temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very importantly, its willingness to serve man or woman

Protection:
The protection phase tests the dog's courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler's control of the dog is absolutely essential. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a human decoy), and guarding that decoy while the handler approaches. The dog is expected to pursue the decoy when an escape is attempted and to hold the grip firmly. The decoy is searched and transported to the judge with the handler and dog walking behind and later at the decoy's right side. When the decoy attempts to attack the handler, the dog is expected to stop the attack with a firm grip and no hesitation.
The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place by the dog's handler from the opposite end of the trial field. The dog is sent after the decoy when he attempts to run away. Just when the dog is about to catch the decoy, the judge signals the decoy to turn around and run directly at the dog, threatening the dog with a stick. All bites during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the decoy discontinues the fight. The protection tests are intended to assure that the dog is neither a coward nor a too aggresive. (Section "C": 100 points max; 80 points min).

The Schutzhund titles--
There are three levels of the Schutzhund test.

For Schutzhund I the dogs must be at least 18 months old and pass an initial temperament test by the judge. The dog must heel on the leash and off, demonstrate the walking sit, the walking down, and the stay tests, as well as the send-out. It must retrieve on the flat and over a hurdle. In tracking, it must be able to follow a track laid by its handler at least 20 minutes earlier. There are also protection tests.

For Schutzhund II the dog must be at least 19 months old an must already have earned its Schutzhund I degree. it must again pass all of the obedience and protection test required for the Schutzhund I degree, but those tests, for Schutzhund II, are made more difficult and require greater endurance, agility, and, above all, control. There is an additional retrieve required over the six-foot slanted wall. In tracking, the Schutzhund II candidate must be able to follow a track laid by a stranger at least 30 minutes earlier.

For Schutzhund III , the master's degree, the dog must be at least 20 months old and must have earned both the Schutzhund I and the Schutzhund II titles. Again, the tests now are made far more difficult. All exercises in obedience and protection are demonstrated off leash. There is the addition of a walking and running stand. In tracking, the dog must follow a track that was laid by a stranger at least 50minutes earlier. The track has four turns, compared with two turns for Schutzhund I and II, and there are three objects, rather than two, that must be found by the dog. The picture of obedience, strength, eagerness, and confidence presented by an excellent Schutzhund III team is a beautiful illustration of the partnership of human and dog.

For SchH-1, SchH-2 and SchH-3:

The minumum toal score to obtain the title is 220 Points
The maximun total score is 300 Points
With total points from 0 to 109 the qualification is "insufficient"
With total points from 110 to 219 the qualification is "lack"
With total points from 220 to 239 the qualification is "sufficient"
With total points from 240 to 269 the qualification is "good"
With total points from 270 to 285 the qualification is "very good"
With total points from 286 to 300 the qualification is "excellent"

Internationally Recognized Working Titles (SV/FCI) (Compiled from DDRGSD-L members, Schutzhund USA, and a variety of international online resources)

SchHA Novice Schutzhund obedience and protection
Bh Basic companion dog - traffic sureness
WH Watch Dog
AD Endurance
SchH1 Novice Schutzhund qualification in tracking, obedience, and protection
SchH2 Intermediate Schutzhund qualification in tracking, obedience, and protection
SchH3 Masters level of Schutzhund tracking, obedience, and protection.
FH1 Advanced tracking
FH2 Superior tracking qualification.
IPO1 International Novice Schutzhund trial qualification.
IPO2 International Intermediate Schutzhund.
IPO3 International Masters level Schutzhund.
BpDH1 2 Railroad Police Dog
BIH Blind Leader Dog
DH Service Dog
DPH Service Police Dog
HGH Herding Dog
LwH Avalanche Dog
PFP1/PFP2 Police Tracking Dog
PH Police Dog (obtained through the Danish Politihundeforeningen, a police dog association open to civilians)
PSP1, 2 3 Police Guard Dog
RtH Rescue Dog
ZFH Customs Tracking Dog
ZH1, 2 3 Customs Dog
Africa IWT 1, 2,
Austria SchH1, 2 3 and FHA 1, 2, 3
Belgium Cereco1, IWR1, 2 3 equivalent to IPO1, 2 3
Czech Republic ZVV1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3
Denmark BHP1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 and SPH equivalent to FH
England PD (Police Dog)
Finland SK1 equivalent to IPO1
Holland VH1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3 and SPH equivalent to FH
Hungary SZL1, 2 3 also ZVV1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3
Italy Brevetto 1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3
Poland ZVV1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3
Switzerland SchH, SchHB, SchHC; CHD1 equivalent to SchH1
Yugoslavia CAB1, 2 3 equivalent to SchH1, 2 3

By Moc Klinkam

Note : Schutzhund has been changed to VPG (in German- Vielseitigkeitspruefung für Gebrauchshunde) which roughly translates into 'versatility test for working dogs.'

What is DVG? (Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine)