VICIOUS SHEPHERD KILLS YOUNGSTER! FEROCIOUS DOG PACK MUTILATES INNOCENT BYPASSER! Who has not seen headlines like these in newspapers, followed by a few biased comments that never reveal the full, true story. These incidents are certainly regrettable. But the blame is always put on one of the working dog breeds, mostly a German Shepherd Dog, while in reality human failure was the cause. In all documented instances the dogs involved were badly neglected, mistreated, improperly trained or provoked by inconsiderate human beings, and hostile behaviours had to be expected. Not one of these cases involved a properly trained and controlled dog, a police dog for instance, or a military dog, or a Schutzhund. A Schutzhund?

The concept evolved some 75 years ago in Europe. Concerned dog fanciers embarked on a training and testing program for privately owned working dogs. They gave the dogs a chance to demonstrate all their capabilities, and they gained two things:

1) an immediate benefit from the utilization of the many talents working dogs have, and
2) valuable clues for selecting the best breeding specimen.

Besides, dogs and handlers enjoyed working as a team in Tracking, Obedience and Protection, the three main categories of any Schutzhund (protection dog) program. The exercises have changed slightly over the years, today, depending upon the Schutzhund degree, they consist of about the following:

In tracking, the dog must retrace the path of a person (400-1500 yards 4- ) after some time has elapsed (20-180 min. + ), and he must find 2-5 lost articles. In obedience, the dog performs exercises similar to and above our CDX requirements (heeling in a group, retrieve of heavy objects, retrieve over a 6-foot scaling wall, send away, etc.).

In protection, the dog must—without handler assistance—respond properly in critical situations, like barking when he finds a hiding person, preventing an assault on his handler and stopping that "criminal" from escaping. The dog is required to distinguish between a harmless bystander and a potentially dangerous person. He must fight vehemently, but quit on his own when the "criminal" gives up.

Schutzhund training is a sport. It is open to dogs of all breeds, even to mixed breeds if they can do the work. Traditionally however, German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Airedales, and Giant Schnauzers have provided the majority, with German Shepherd Dogs outnumbering all others.

Dog/handler teams from all over the world compete for degrees according to the general outline of the above requirements. It is increasingly more difficult to earn a SchH A, SchH I, SchH II or SchH III degree. Available are also an advanced tracking degree (FH), a police dog degree and others.

While Europe enjoyed the benefits from the Schutzhund program for decades, America still adhered to the pet-obedience type of training. There were very few exceptions to this: some military installations used service dogs, some courageous police department heads employed the help of dogs and some professional trainers provided guard dogs to interested parties. But the demand for well trained, capable working dogs was greater than the domestic supply. This caused two things to happen:

1. Hundreds of unqualified "attack-dog" trainers established themselves in the business. They did not only make a fortune in it, but they also ruined many good animals, and they ruined the reputation of the working breed as well.

2. A large number of trained dogs was imported from Europe, for a high,price of course. Unfortunately many of the new owners did not know anything about the training of these valuable animals; they even misunderstood and misinterpreted behavior and specific reactions.

This, and the growing concern of working dog owners and breeders finally prepared a basis for the Schutzhund sport in America to grow. It was, however, not before 1970 that the first national Schutzhund organization was formed on the North-American continent, the one we know today as Affiliated Schutzhund Clubs of America (A.S.C.A.).

Several other groups were formed later on. Several trials have been held, mostly with European judges. And many titles have been awarded on this continent. Of course the usual growing pains have accompanied this new sport, too.

The organization's national magazine "The Schutz-hunder" for instance is a valuable tool providing much information. A.S.C.A. also sends qualified trainers, decoys and judges to all its clubs that need their help. This way A.S.C.A. can insure correct and uniform training methods throughout the country. And A.S.C.A.'s success speaks for itself.

But there are also those American dog owners that object to the Schutzhund training. They remember experiences they had with (unqualified) attack-dog trainers. These people do not wish to share their house or their community with a potentially dangerous dog. Any large dog is potentially dangerous. But while a loaded gun only requires that it be kept under safeguard and be handled by a responsible, knowledgeable person, the large dog needs in addition understanding, affection and love, and a lot of attention. Anyone who lacks these basics should not even consider owning a dog, definitely not one of the working breeds. And he would be ill advised to attempt Schutzhund training.

For the responsible private working dog owner however, the Schutzhund sport has proven to be an ideal program. Training can be done in very small groups if necessary, training locations are readily available, time requirements are reasonable and benefits even for the average dog owner are obvious. Knowing how a dog behaves in critical situations is reassuring and provides better control over the animal, eliminating in fact so-called-viciousness. The result is a happy, friendly but alert, controllable family dog that becomes an asset and not a nuisance, or even a danger to society.

Dr. D. Schellenberg
DVG-VDH-FCI, ASCA SchH Judge
DVG SchH Judge for A merica
Affisch Clubs of Am., Ltd.
Northbrook, IL