Schutzhund

Schutzhund: a triathlon for dogs.  

Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. 

Schutzhund is a German word meaning “protection dog", currently known competitively as IGP, formerly IPO.  It refers to a sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900's as a breed evaluation test, specifically for the German Shepherd Dog.  Schutzhund measures a dog’s mental stability, endurance, strength, agility, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, protective instinct, bond to handler, and trainability. However, many breeds are active in some or all phases of the sport, and often follow similar criteria for breeding purposes. 

Over the past century Schutzhund has remained a breed test but has also evolved into a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all walks of life, from new dog owners to seasoned competitors. In many countries, Schutzhund titles are still considered prerequisites for breeding rights, and in some countries Schutzhund is called “The Versatility Test for Working Dogs.” It offers an opportunity for dog owners to compete with each other for recognition of both the handler’s ability to train, and the dog’s ability to perform as required.  An advanced partnership is developed and shown between a dog and their handler.  Persons of all ages, professions, and conditions of life are able to participate and enjoy the sport.  It can be a family hobby, and often becomes a lifestyle.