Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods

TEMPERAMENT TEST

Before the tracking test each dog in Schutzhund I, II or III is closely examined by the judge for stability and impartiality. Impartiality refers to an aspect of the dog’s character which is neither hostile nor fearful of strangers. Every judge has a slightly different way of evaluating temperament. Most judges insist on touching the animals and watching their behavior while walking on a loose leash amid a group of people. If the judge detects a sign of shyness, timidity or any indication of inappropriate aggressiveness, he will disqualify the animal in question from further participation in the trial.

SCHUTZHUND I TRACKING TEST

The handler reports to the judge with two articles in hand. The articles should be neutral in color and approximately hand size. At the judge’s direction he lays a track approximately 300 to 400 paces long. The pattern of the Schutzhund I track is rectangular, as shown in the illustration on page 34.

The handler begins laying his track by placing a stake on his left and then stamping out a scent pad approximately one yard square. He then proceeds in a straight line in the direction indicated by the judge. At the judge’s command (a wave or a blast on a whistle) the tracklayer makes a right-angle turn and then continues in a new direction. Again at the judge’s command, and without slowing down or hesitating, he drops the first article directly on the track. He continues walking until the judge signals again, at which point he makes another right-angle turn and begins the third leg. The handler finishes laying the track by dropping the second article at the judge’s command.

The dog may not watch while the handler lays the track. It is normally left to wait in a car.

After twenty minutes have passed, the handler returns with his dog and reports to the judge, giving both his name and the name of the animal. The judge asks the handler, “Will the dog point out or pick up?” The handler responds by telling how his dog will indicate the articles on the track. He need not be more specific than to say, “Point out,” despite the fact that the dog has three possible ways of indicating an article—sit, stand or down.

At this point the handler puts the tracking harness (if he is using one) on the dog, leads it to the scent pad and commands it to track. If he is not using a harness, the handler must attach the long line to the dead ring of his dog’s chain-link collar. (The use of a tracking line is optional in Schutzhund and some dogs work their tracks “free,” although this is not a common practice.)

The animal is allowed as much time as necessary to pick up the scent and, as it moves forward, the handler must remain on the starting pad until all thirty feet of the tracking line are played out and the dog has clearly committed itself to the direction of the track.

When the dog finds the article, the animal should either pick it up and retrieve it to the handler or point the article out. The dog who points out may sit, stand or drop near the article. The only requirement is that it indicate both articles in the same fashion. It is most correct if the animal makes its indication in such a way that the article is placed between its front feet. The handler drops the lead, goes to the article and holds it up for the judge to see. He then puts the article in his pocket and restarts his dog.

Many judges prefer that the handler return all the way to the end of the long line before restarting the dog. It is more common to pick up the line where it lies next to the animal and then to let it play out through the hands as the dog moves down the track.

Points are deducted for the following:

SCHUTZHUND II TRACKING TEST

The requirements for the Schutzhund II test are somewhat more difficult. The track is both longer and older. It is approximately 400 to 500 paces, laid by a stranger, and is aged at least thirty minutes. However, all other conditions are the same as in Schutzhund I.

SCHUTZHUND III TRACKING TEST

The Schutzhund III track is more difficult still. The track, again laid by a stranger, is from 800 to 1,000 paces long, has at least four turns and is at least fifty minutes old. The tracklayer drops three articles along the track. Although the pattern can vary, it generally follows the one shown in the illustration opposite. All other conditions are the same as in the Schutzhund I and II tests.

FH (THE ADVANCED TRACKING TITLE)

To be eligible for the FH title a dog must be sixteen months old and have a Schutzhund I title or a Traffic Proof Companion Dog title (VB).

The FH is the most difficult of the Schutzhund tracking tests, corresponding in difficulty to the American or Canadian TDX. The track, always laid by a stranger, is at least 1,000 paces long and three hours old. It contains a minimum of six turns. There are also three places where another stranger’s track crosses the original track, and there are also changes in the terrain—variations in elevation and vegetation and even dirt roads cutting the track. The tracklayer leaves four articles on the track that the dog must either point out or pick up.

As in Schutzhund I, II and III, the handler may work the dog with or without a long line. Points are deducted for the following:

SCORING

To pass the Schutzhund tracking tests the dog-handler team must earn a minimum of seventy points out of 100. The point-total ratings are as follows: