Susan Barwig - Schutzhund

Today, Schutzhund is firmly established on American shores. Although DVG America is thriving, and the GSDCA/WDA is still on the scene, the USA is the largest and most important organization in the States, boasting approximately two hundred clubs. Recently, the USA has even taken steps to adopt a regulated breeding system for German Shepherd Dogs much like the SV’s, issuing its own pedigrees and so forth. However, while the USA’s primary emphasis is upon promoting the German Shepherd, the organization welcomes all breeds in its competitions.

American Schutzhund enthusiasts have traveled a rocky road. Organizations and personalities have come and gone, and there have been a lot of fireworks on the way, but today American teams have become a powerful force in the international Schutzhund community. For the last several years teams fielded by the GSDCA/WDA and the USA have consistently placed high in the World Schutzhund III Championships, and in both 1988 and 1989 Jackie Reinhart of Florida won the German DVG Schutzhund III Championships outright.

There are a variety of reasons that account for the rapid growth of Schutzhund in this country. Many dogs trained in Schutzhund are now used by police forces and the military, as search and rescue dogs, as personal protection dogs and as companions in private homes. Growing fear of personal assault and the need to protect property, as well as the desire for a trustworthy, outgoing family pet, have all contributed to the popularity of the Schutzhund concept.

Although many individuals within a particular breed may be suitable for the rigors of Schutzhund, generally dogs from the following breeds are most consistently able to perform the work.

Airedales were used extensively for police work in England and Europe before World War II.

Belgian shepherds were used extensively as messenger dogs, ambulance dogs and security dogs during World War I. Today the Malinois especially is favored by many working dog trainers of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and the breed is rapidly becoming more common in Schutzhund trials both in Germany and America.

The Bouvier was often used for police work in Europe. Today, the greatest number of working-quality Bouviers are bred in the Netherlands, and at least one police department on the Eastern seaboard of the United States has imported several of these animals.

At one time the Boxer was second in popularity only to the German Shepherd Dog in German Schutzhund clubs. They are used as guide dogs and also in the West German police and military.

Dobermans have seen much service with both the police and military worldwide. They are quite popular in Schutzhund in the United States, and the Doberman Pinscher Club of America was one of the early supporters of American Schutzhund.

German Shepherds are used extensively by the military and police and as guide dogs for the blind. They are the most popular breed worldwide for Schutzhund as well as most kinds of service work.

Although comparatively rare, the Giant has been used a great deal in Europe by police departments and Schutzhund enthusiasts as well.

Probably the oldest of the working breeds, the Rottweiler dates back to the Dark Ages. They are used in both police and military work and in the last few years have become exceedingly popular in the United States.

Other dogs that should not be overlooked for use in Schutzhund work are the Australian Shepherd, Chesapeake Bay and Labrador Retrievers, Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier, as well as some of the giant breeds.

It is not the breed of the dog that is important, it is its character. Von Stephanitz summarized the qualities of the ideal working dog and noted the following requirements: “Joy in work, devotion to duty and to master, mistrust and sharpness against strangers and unusual things, docility and obedience, teachableness and quickness to understand.”

Deciding on a female or male is a personal decision. Each sex has its own merits. Von Stephanitz preferred bitches. He felt that the female had a greater sensitivity to her handler and was more amenable to training. He felt she was “more independent, more reliable and more careful in nature and work.” He continued, “It is easier to train her, she grasps more quickly, her memory is more retentive, and she will, at least with an understanding leader, work more willingly and more carefully than a dog. A good bitch can be keen and sharp like a dog.” He stresses that both sexes work sheep equally well, a job that demands hardness and sharpness.

Others consider the male to have greater independence and self-reliance. The United States Air Force dog program uses only males. William Koehler, a noted former army dog trainer and author, emphasizes concentrating on obtaining the best prospect for protection work whether it be male or female.

We have observed that, in general, it is more common to find males with the strength of character for Schutzhund than it is to find females of equal quality. This is one reason that a truly good bitch is so seldom for sale. However, a powerful male can sometimes be a difficult animal to live with and train, whereas even an extremely good bitch is normally a little sensitive to her handler and therefore relatively easily controlled.

In Germany the SV demands that all German Shepherd Dogs used for breeding, regardless of sex, pass at least a Schutzhund I or a herding test.

When selecting a puppy for use in Schutzhund we must evaluate it both on its own merits and on those of its bloodlines. Perhaps the best indicator of what kind of dog it will grow into is what kind of adults its parents and grandparents are. In the United States it is not easy to obtain this type of information, but it is strongly recommended that the prospective puppy buyer evaluate the puppy’s parents for stability, responsiveness and courage. In Germany this information is easier to obtain since every German Shepherd Dog must have a Schutzhund degree or herding title in order to be used for breeding, and both Schutzhund trial scores and breed survey results are readily available.