I am looking into this sport when we get a new puppy- puppy isn't for awhile yet. I like to do all the research I can...

Just wondering if anyone does this and what type of family pet do you have?

I have been doing alot of reading on it- hubby says no cause he feels the dog is no longer a pet but a soldier and I have read they still make awsome pets. Of course 1st a family pet. Just wondering if anyone has any pro's or con's about the sport?

I no I could still do the obedience and the tracking don't have to do the protection work if hubby is dead set against it- just looks like alot of fun. I also want to try showing but thought if that wasn't for us then I would see about this type of sport.

Thank you :-)

I compete in Schutzhund with both my GSD and my Weimaraner.  My Weimaraner has the AD, BH, FH1 and FH2, she is not interested in protection work but this sport is secondary to her primary one of Working Trials.

My GSD has BH, AD, SchH1, 2 and 3 as well as Working Trial qualifications CDex UDex WDex and is now qualified to work "ticket" in TD. He has also competed in the British Sieger, won at Crufts and has a Class 1 Breed Survey.

If you select a dog from the correct background and you train with qualified people as well as doing the usual socialisation you will have a dog to be proud of, a great pet and great fun competing.

It is NOT to be undertaken with dogs who do not have the correct genetic background.

If you do not feel confident about doing protection work with your dog you can always compete in Working Trials where all the stakes (bar PD) are about tracking, obedience and agility.

It is possible to make up a WT Champion with 2 x PD and/or TD tickets.

Why not go along to your nearest club and observe before you get your dog, then you will have a better idea of what you want to do.

If you go on to the GSDL (germans shepherd dog league) and then to the WDG (Working Dog Group) you will find a list of clubs in the UK and you can arrange to go along and watch, learn and have a chat.

HTH

I have just noticed that you are in Canada, there are Tracking stakes TD and TDex (tracking only and not equivalent to UK titles) but Schutzhund is big in Canada, and there appear to be a reasonable number of clubs.

Good luck

Thank you :-)

My main thing is to make sure even though people do Schutzhund with their dog is to make sure the dog still makes a good pet- thats my hubby's biggest worry. He thinks the dog will be mean or just not that trust worthy. I guess I can do everything else except that one area of the sport. Yes I will check it out when I am closer to getting the puppy. My hubby's and sons Taekwon-do instructor does Schutzhund with his dogs so may talk with him- they are no longer in Taekwon-do but I am sure we could still talk to him about it. Maybe meet his dogs and see how they are in a family and with strangers since that is what we will be lol

Thank you

To participate in Schutzhund your dog must first pass the BH to demonstrate that your dog has the temperament and you have the control to progress further.

There is no place in Schutzhund for poor temperament dogs.  Reputable clubs will not entertain people with the wrong motives joining (and this is easily identified by the lack of interest such owners show in the obedience and tracking phases) and will tell you if the dog you have does not have the temperament for the sport.

Good luck,

Tohme,

Can any breed take part in this? I've only really seen GSD'S, Dobe's and Rottie's taking part.

What is expected of the dog to pass the BH(Whats that?) before they can go on further?

Oooh ok- well atleast I no I can do the other stuff and if they think he is of good temperment then I can continue ... Of course only if he is enjoying it- if not then atleast we enjoyed the part leading up to it. I no its not a sport to take lightly reason why I am def doing as much research on it as possible. Plus atleast I no we don't have to do protection work but I can def hopefully do the rest and that part looks like it would be alot of fun- the agility side of it I think would be very enjoyable.

The breeder I am planning on getting off of does protection work with his dogs/shows them ect- so I no he does alot with them. I no with this breed then I to have to keep him busy so as long as he is enjoying what we are doing and having fun then thats the main thing.

Any breed can participate in Schutzhund in the UK.

The BH (Begleithunde) is in two parts. the first part is the obedience round (preceded by identity check of dog eg tattoo or chip). Whilst one dog is in the long down at one end of the field (its owner in sight) the other team follow a heelwork pattern on lead including medium, slow and fast pace with turns and sits. Then they must execute a figure of 8 pattern in a "crowd" of 4 people; this is then repeated off lead.  The dog must then do a sit and a down on the move with a recall.

The dogs swap places.

If the dog passes this then you can then go onto the traffic sureness part of the test which is usually walking your dog through a crowd of people, putting it into a down adn the crowd coming in, being passed by a jogger, cyclist and car, being tied up out of sight of the owner whilst another person and dog walk past.

HTH

Thanks. I know he can do this and most is covered in the gold award for KCGC.. My trainer always said I should go further with obedience with my eldest, but this sounds more interesting.. Will read up on the sites when I have more time.

http://gsdleague-workingbranch.com/contacts.html