What is Schutzhund?
Schutzhund is a German term that translates to "protection dog." It refers to a dog sport that originated in Germany, designed to evaluate the traits of working dogs. The training includes tracking, obedience, and protection phases. Schutzhund is now often replaced by the term "IGP" (Internationale Gebrauchshund Pruefung).
The IGP sport serves as a dynamic platform for dog owners and handlers to train and compete, showcasing both the handler's training proficiency and the dog's performance capabilities. The bond between a dog and handler is foundational to effective communication, teamwork, motivation, enhanced performance, and overall well-being of the dog and handler partnership.
Tracking
Tracking is the phase of the sport where a dog demonstrates its ability to follow a scent trail laid out by a track layer. The dog must use its olfactory senses to locate and indicate various items or articles placed along the track. This showcases the dog's tracking skills, focus, and precision in following a scent trail, typically laid out in a field or on a variety of surfaces. Successful tracking is an important component in evaluating the overall working capabilities of a Schutzhund-trained canine.
Obedience
The obedience phase involves a structured evaluation of a dog's temperament, responsiveness to commands, and its overall discipline. The dog is assessed on its ability to perform a series of field exercises. The handler and dog's teamwork, precision, and adherence to commands are crucial elements in this phase. The obedience element reflects the dog's training and handler's control, demonstrating the discipline and responsiveness required in a well-trained working dog.
Protection
The protection phase is designed to evaluate a dog's genetic temperament and ability to perform specific tasks related to guarding, apprehension, and protection. These traits reflect important characteristics for certain working roles, such as police or security dogs. This phase involves scenarios where the dog demonstrates its courage, determination, the strength of its nervous system, and control in protecting its handler. Key elements include the dog's response to a threatening person and controlled engagement with a decoy.