Schutzhund is: a German word meaning “protection dog.” It started at the beginning of this century as a test for working dogs. Its initial purpose was to determine which dogs could be used for breeding and possesed true working ability. This breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. It is intended to demonstrate the dog’s intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog’s mental stability, endurance, structural efficiency, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage and trainability.

Schutzhund tests three specific areas of a dog's training and behavior. The first, tracking, requires the dog to track footsteps over mixed terrain, change direction and show absolute accuracy and commitment to finding the track. It must also find dropped articles and indicate their locations to the handler. Often this is done under less than ideal circumstances with difficult cover, bad weather conditions and an aged track.

The second phase is obedience. There is heeling, both on and off lead, sit, down and stand, dumbbell retrieval (the dog must retrieve over a one meter jump and a six foot high wall.) Some exercises require the dog to work under the noise of a firing gun. Down stays and a long send aways conclude the test.

The final test is the protection. The most important point to understand when watching a protection routine, is the relationship between dog and handler. The dog must never bite the trial helper, unless either the dog or the handler is attacked. Then it must attack fully and without hesitation. The dog must stop bitting on the command of the handler and guard the trial helper without further aggression. The dog must never be aggressive except under those specific situations, and even then it must always be under the absolute control of the handler.

The above tests all happen in the course of one day, during competitions that are held all over the country. These trials are held by local clubs or in regional and national championships. Each dog is judged by a complex point system that then determines the winner of the trial.

Today, schutzhund has evolved from the small group that started in Germany so long ago. Its organizations have several hundred thousand members, scattered across Europe, North America and several other continents. It is a challenging and exciting discipline to practice with your German Shepherd.