Schutzhund (pronounced "SHUTS-hund," where the "U" sounds just like "book") is a German word meaning "protection dog". It was first developed in Germany at the turn of the century as a comprehensive test of the German Shepherd Dog to evaluate its suitability for breeding as a working dog.

One hundred years later, the many thousands of German Shepherd Dog owners and breeders who are members of United Schutzhund Clubs of America continue to utilize Schutzhund as a test of their breeding program. USA members also compete in the sport of Schutzhund because it focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in the dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners.

The superior dogs that achieve their Schutzhund titles, show ratings, and breed surveys are selected by discriminating breeders of the German Shepherd Dog in America and around the world to be their foundation sires and dams. Schutzhund is the cornerstone upon which today's most breed worthy and historically proven working, sporting, and companion German Shepherd Dog bloodlines have been established.

The core Schutzhund titles -- SchH1, SchH2 and SchH3 -- require successful completion of three distinct phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. If you are familiar with the advanced obedience and tracking disciplines offered by the American Kennel Club, you may see some similarities in Schutzhund obedience and tracking. Schutzhund protection standards are similar to those for dogs in police work.

While dogs of other breeds are welcome to compete at USA-sanctioned Schutzhund trials, this breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog’s intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog’s mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability, all important factors of the comprehensive German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard.

This working dog sport offers an opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete with each other for recognition of both the handler’s ability to train and the dog’s ability to perform as required. It is a sport enjoyed by persons of varied professions, who join together in a camaraderie born of their common interest in working with their dogs. Persons of all ages and conditions of life -- even those with significant disabilities -- enjoy Schutzhund as a sport. Often, it is a family sport.