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The schutzhund sport started over 100 years ago in Germany when Max von Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog club of Germany.  (Verien fur Deutshe Shaeferhunde- SV).  the purpose was to evaluate the dog's charecter, by giving it work to do, then comparing it's performance to guidleines for the purpose of selecting a good quality breeding program.  This was to test and preserve the character and the utility of the German Shepherd dog.  He was possessed by the idea that the German Shepherd Dog should have "a highly developed sense of smell, enormous courage, agility, and great obedience" Von Stephanita also put in place breed guidelines for the German Shepherd dog.   He wrote the first breed standard with emphasize on utility and intelligence.  It contained the sentece  "A pleasing appearance is desirable, but it can NOT put the dog's working ability into question!"    "German Shepherd breeding is a working dog breeding, or it is not German Shepherd breeding"   The German Shepherd dog must first and foremost be kept a working dog"                                              

To this day the SV is the largest and most influential breed organization in the world, and still observes the standards which von Stephanitz implemented to preserve and develope the best physical and temperamental attributes of the German Shepherd Dog.  Schutzhund is an integral part of this.  The Schutzhund examination is the most basic requirment of the SV breeding program.  A German Shepherd dog cannot receive official registration papers unless both parents have passed a Schutzhund 1 trial.  If the dog itself does not pass a Schutzhund 1 test, it cannot be exhibited in conformation shows, nor will it be recommended for breeding.

Many Schutzhund titled dogs or their progeny are working in police agencies, military, bomb detection or search and rescue.                                                                                                                                          

The Schutzhund test is an event which tests eaach dog's mental stability, drive, concentration, ability to scent, courage and wililngness towork.  All phases must be completed successfully.  There are 3 levels.  Tracking, obedience, and protection.   SchH. 1, 2 and 3 levels.   Tracking - the dog must follow by scent the path of a tracklayer wich is anywhere from 400 yds.  to 1500 yards and be able to find 2 - 3 lost articles along the track regardless of climate conditions.   Obedience - The dog must follwo the handler in heel off leash, through a crowd of people, retreive, recall.   The protection phase consiste of searching for the "bad guy(helper)"  alerting the handler, obedience under high distraction, protecting themselves and their handlers with courage and comittement.                                                                                                                                                                     

The Schutzhund sport was founded to preseve the German Shepherd Dog breed, however it later became a test for other working breeds and is open to all breeds with the ability and temperament to do the work.

For more information about our wonderful sport go to the official Canadian club  "The German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada"   Schutzhund club