History Schutzhund first trial
The first Schutzhund (IPO) trial was held in Germany in 1901 to emphasize the correct working temperament and abilities in the German Shepherd Dog breed.
Originally, these dogs were herding dogs, but the industrialization of Germany encouraged breeders to promote the use of their dogs as police and military dogs.
The Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV), the parent club, became concerned that this would lead to careless breeding and undesirable traits such as mental instability, so it developed the Schutzhund test.
Since then, many other countries and working dog organizations have also adopted Schutzhund (or IPO) as a sport and a test of working performance in dogs. International rules have been established, and they are administered by the Verein fur Deutsche Hundesport (VDH).
Rex alias Blixten was less than 18 months, but check out his fighting spirit and he’s still wild!
Obedience - Schutzhund
The obedience phase is done in a large field, with the dogs working in pairs.
One dog is placed in a down position on the side of the field and its handler leaves it while the other dog works in the field.
Then the dogs switch places. In the field, there are several heeling exercises, including heeling through a group of people.
There are two or three gunshots during the heeling to test the dog’s reaction to loud noises.
There are one or two recalls, three retrieves (flat, jump and A-frame), and a send out, in which the dog is directed to run away from the handler straight and fast and then lie down on command.
Obedience is judged on the dog’s accuracy and attitude.
The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that is uninterested or cowering scores poorly.
Tracking - Schutzhund
The tracking phase tests not only the dog’s scenting ability, but also its mental soundness and physical endurance.
In the tracking phase, a track layer walks across a field, dropping several small articles along the way.
After a period of time, the dog is directed to follow the track while being followed by the handler on a 33-foot leash.
When the dog finds each article, he indicates it, usually by lying down with the article between his front paws.
The dog is scored on how intently and carefully it follows the track and indicates the articles.
The length, complexity, number of articles, and age of the track varies for each title.
Protection - Schutzhund
In the protection phase, the judge has an assistant, called the “helper,” who helps him or her test the dog’s courage to protect itself and its handler and its ability to be controlled while doing so.
The helper wears a heavily padded sleeve on one arm.
There are several blinds placed where the helper can hide on the field.
The dog is directed to search the blinds for the helper.
When it finds the helper, it indicates this by barking.
The dog must guard the helper to prevent them from moving until recalled by the handler.
There follows a series of exercises similar to police work where the handler searches the helper and transports them to the judge.
At specified points, the helper attacks the dog or the handler or attempts to escape.
The dog must stop the attack or escape by biting the padded sleeve.
When the attack or run stops, the dog is commanded to “OUT” or release the sleeve.
The dog must be out, or it is dismissed.
At all times, the dog must show the courage to engage the helper and the temperament to obey the handler while in this high state of drive.
The dog must show enthusiasm.
A dog that shows fear, lack of control, or inappropriate aggression is dismissed.
