Schutzhund... and other competition rings and trials.

[German Vanegas]

The great sport of schutzhund (German word for "Protection Dog") is one the finest trials to test true working dogs. It was created in the early 1900's by Capt. Max Von Stephanitz to preserve the utility and serviceability of the German Shepherd dog. Later, other working and herding dog breeds were accepted in schutzhund trials, until it became a popular yardstick to measure the desired temperament and working traits on a given utility dog breed.

Schutzhund is a very demanding sport that covers three fundamental working tests: obedience, tracking and protection. As the dog earns its first title schH 1 (basic), it can later be trailed for schH 2 (intermediate), and thereafter it can try to obtain the schH 3 (advanced). If the dog is really outstanding, then it can compete in higher standard trials at the international level. It is obvious that schutzhund dogs are outstanding performance dogs that excel from the rest.


I love the sport of schutzhund, simply because any handler and his/her dog that devotes and commits the time to train and compete in schutzhund, demonstrates a honest desire to maintain the working abilities of the true Rottweiler. Our breed is well-known as a multi-purpose capable breed. The Rottweiler can do much more than most other breeds. Only a few dog breeds come close, or can compare to the Rottweiler's traceable proven working history.

Is schutzhund the ultimate dog sport? Well, I think schutzhund is ONE of the finest, there is no doubt. However, there are other quite intense competition rings and trials that are as good or even better, but not less. All of these other rings and trials cover obedience, some include agility, and all cover protection drills. Realize that a suitable temperament, total control, and working abilities, are absolutely fundamental and required for any dog breed to be able to compete in any of these "other" rings and trials.

In Europe the French Ring is very popular and quite tough, known for its amazing drills. Mondio Ring is also very demanding and an "eye-popper" for the viewer. In the Netherlands the KNPV is the "top of the creme" ring, due to the fact that the standards are so high and not many dogs have the necessary intense high drives to compete in it. In England the K-9 Pro Sports League is growing fast. In the USA, as much as the French and Mondio ring are starting to make their mark in popularity, there are also some outstanding rings such as the World Dog Protection Association WPDA, the National Protection Dog Association NPDA, the National Street Dog Protection Association NSDPA, and The Street Protection Ring. You should also look for police dog trials, although the participants are patrol service dogs and their police handlers only.

What makes these "other" competition rings and trials so different? The protection part. While in schutzhund dogs are taught to bite the helper's protected sleeved arm only, in specific rehearsed expected drills; in the "other" rings dogs are trained and allowed to bite the helper wearing a full body protected suit. The dog bites ankles, tights, shoulders, abdomen area, small of the back, arms... in short: the dog is not limited to confront the threat, but the dog is taught to take the fight all the way. The helpers in those rings (particularly KNPV and NPDA among others) do attempt to put the dog into avoidance. The pressure is way higher, the hits are substantially more frequent and felt, and the drills are broaden into more realistic scenarios. The dog is actually expected to be prepared to the unexpected, and go all the way in a real protection mood. These rings realistically measure-up the dog's courage, bravery, and tenacity. If the dog don't have them, it won't make it.

Have these protection competitions a more realistic approach to the real world? Sure they do! The dog is fully trained as an effective protection dog. Is like this, say you want to learn self-defense to protect yourself in case of a physical attack, and you have two choices for training schools: One, has "rules of engagement" from the instructor and limited fighting skills (i.e. no hits below the belt, no grappling, no submission holds, no sweeps, no elbow or knee strikes). While in the other school the instructor teaches hand, elbow, knee, and leg strikes; throws, grappling, and submission holds... Which one of the two schools do you think would prepare you better for a REALISTIC confrontation? Which one would you choose?...

Let's keep in mind that all the "other" rings demand qualified dogs. The dogs have to have a stable temperament, be controllable, and in compliance to its handler. It is nothing at all like you bring a muzzled vicious dog, cut it loose in the ring, and then it goes right at it to "kill" the helper". Far from it! As I emphasized before, the dog has to be even tempered, be fully obedience trained and so responsive, be agile, structurally functional, and fully ready to fight... and still be a fine personal and/or family companion pet!

So as good as the sport of schutzhund is, let's not overlook other amazing, fascinating, and superb dog sport rings that bring so much excitement, while it also maintains the working traits of certain dog breeds. There is more than just schutzhund... but one has to "open one's mind and eyes" to see what real protection and security is all about... Seeing is believing!

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited August 17, 1999).]

[katheyt]

I love to watch Scutzhund ! I continue to be impressed with the pure joy that the handler and dog seem to have. I've just started working in the sport and regret that I don't have as much time as I would like. My dog is not the ultimate Schutzhund dog but through hard work is coming along. Even if we never get to a title I will always enjoy the experience of seeing my dog perform the work. I am much closer to this dog than others I haven't worked. If you are fortunate to find the right group and have a suitable (if not perfect it's still enjoyable)dog, go for it !

[German Vanegas]

Katheyt,
Good for you! I have trained lots of schutzhund titled dogs in personal protection. Some ended-up being outstanding PP trained dogs, some didn't "make the grade". If schutzhund is your thril, enjoy it all the way!... However, don't close your mind and think that schutzhund is IT and nothing else comes close, because there is a lot more out there. Mondio Ring, French ring, KNPV, NPDA, WPDA, etc, are growing steadily fast in America. Take the time to find out and you'll be amaze what the other rings are all about. I promise you, it is not only fascinating but more demanding that you would think. Go schutzhund anyway!

[damp]

YES!!!!!!!
It’s so great to do something together with your dog. I don’t know anything about the other rings, only what has been told in this forum. We only have the protections program SchH and PH (police dogs) over here, and there are a lot of people and politicians working to forbid the protections work in these programs.
We also here have the discussion - which program is the best and most exacting. I don’t doubt- I train SchH. As you understand, we would never be able to train French ring or something like that, with the public opinion.
When (I think it is only a question about time) the protection work will be forbidden, I believe I will try salvage working.The most important is to do something and have fun.

[German Vanegas]

I agree Damp. The European Parliament is trying to ban protection training and ring competitions for civilians. Of course, the police and military can and will have protection security trained dogs... Uuummmh, one wonders why, while other "iron clad" governments have failed with such totalitarian systems, our "democratic" governments keep heading that way and away from freedom... because such senseless policies are directed towards infringement of our individual freedom! Dog protection and security work is seeing as "cruel, evil, and unnecessary" by closed-minded b*** heads politicians and some ignorant constituents!

[katheyt]

Just an observation I've had that the sport is for fun not aggression ... the way we worked my dog up to the sleeve was with a burlap sack. It was a game for him, if he barked at the "bad guy" he got the sack (I'm over simplifying). He wagged his tail and had a big smile on his face the whole time. I will admit that to an observor he probably looked mean. After we finally worked up to the sleeve he still seems to enjoy biting as a game and not as an act of aggression. He jumps for joy when I bring his "working" collar out, it's a game for him not something vicious or evil. I must also admit that if I could find a decent trainer I would work towards the protection part as I know that this is what my guy really enjoys and I do too !

[German Vanegas]

Katheyt,
You are working your dog in prey drive only, which it's OK for schutzhund sport purposes, but not to rely on for true personal protection. There is where the "other" competition rings and trials are more demanding... http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[katheyt]

German, I know what you mean based on your posts and emails on PP. I'm the part of the duo that hasn't made the decision on PP. My trainer has worked my dog a little in PP and he thinks that he will do the work. Although I would like to do some protection work I feel that it must be treated as you would treat owning a gun and I want to make sure I'm up to the task (not to mention that I've moved and can't find a decent trainer). I suppose that if more people would be as responsible as I feel that I must be we would have less bad press about our breed. Just amoung us Rottie folks... I can't think of anything more impressive than watching a Rottie work. Their intensity is amazing. You could drop Prime Rib in front of my guy and he would take the sleeve hands down. Since I've had the luxury of a trainer, I get to work my dog AND watch my trainer work him. Talk about a proud Mom ! I haven't found any of the others rings talked about but will certainly look into it as I'm sure I would enjoy at least watching.

[This message has been edited by katheyt (edited August 22, 1999).]

[German Vanegas]

katheyt,
I have said it before: NO ONE should train a dog in personal protection and security, UNLESS the dog has a proven sound stable even temperament. That it's the key to it. Now, once you have a PP trained dog, of course you have to be a "notch above" the average responsible dog onwer. Are protection trained dogs safe with a family? Yes, they are. Are PP dogs for everybody? Nope.

[David Harris]

I am new to this whole dog training thing. Because of that I have asked a lot of questions and got some answers too. Some good some bad. My over all assumption is that there are some not so bright people and some greedy people who call themselves breeders, trainers and the list goes on. It takes more than shovel to sort them out.That is one of the many reasons why I don't wont my dog trained in fight drive. To make a point let me stray from the subject. I have seen people in martial arts get hurt when some nut case that should not have been training, lost it. The instructor was an olympic compeittor from a martial arts family. He never turned down one application and classes where open to any one with money. My dog is first and far most a companion not a weapon. It similar to the gun control problem. Its not the gun or the dog, but the hands the gun and the dog is in. No offense intended. Its just that I am new to this and because of my inexperience ther are too many things that could go wrong.

[This message has been edited by David Harris (edited September 02, 1999).]

[damp]

David,
You are quite right. I would wish all were just as responsible as you.
If you mix inexperience and protection works you get a very dangerous cocktail.

[German Vanegas]

David,
I respect your valid opinion, but protection dog trainers are good and bad just as you find good-lawyers and bad-lawyers, good-physicians and bad-physicians, good-police officers and bad-police officers, good-teachers and bad-teachers, good-politicians and bad-politicians, good-martials artists and bad-martial artists, good-mechanics and bad-mechanics, and the list goes on... get the point? http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

As far as protection trained dogs is concerned, why do you think the police, military, prison facilities, etc. use them? Because the dog's effectiveness in such service and tasks. Responsible dog owners may want a dog to protect their homes, or business, or an area. And so many people own protection dogs. A well-bred and well-trained dog can be an excellent crime deterrent. Now, if you get your dog trained by an unqualified person, obvioulsy you will end-up with the wrong end-product rather than the desired protection dog.

[David Harris]

Are you saying that I could bring the same dog used in the military,police or prison and bring him home with me? Keep in mind I have a five year old that gets into trouble in the blink of a eye. If i can't trust my dog and my child to be alone. One of them would need to be restrained. A restrained dog is limited in the amount of protection he can provide. Besides I spend a lot of time and money on my dog. To send my dog after a bad guy would be a last resort. I belive it was Bruce Lee that said any one can pull a trigger. If I am wrong let me know. I am still learning and open minded.

[German Vanegas]

David,
For your information, police and military dogs live with their handlers' families everyday. K9 police handlers take their service dogs home all the time, once they are off-duty, to share their lifes together with the family (normally with children).

See, to train a dog in personal protection the candidate has to be a dog with an even sound stable temperament. A "flash fire" attack dog is not a personal protection dog. An attack dog is a guard dog (a.k.a. "junkyard" dog). This kind of dog has no comparison to a protection trained dog at all, and it has no place in a family setting (you can do an engine search on the "guard dog" issue by using this board too).

Thousands and thousands of personal protection dogs live with families including children. Is a protection trained dog safe with a family? The answer is an unequivocal YES! Providing, of course, that you got a well-bred dog, from the right pedigree lines, and it's properly trained by a real pro. That's the whole key to it.

Protection dogs are not vicious overly aggressive dogs, those are "junkyard" dogs and, obviously, they have no place in a family environment. This is where the confusion comes from: most people erroneously believe that personal protection dogs are attack dogs. They are not the same and should not be confused knowing the differences between the two.



[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited September 06, 1999).]

[damp]

David,
I am training protection work (SchH) just as a sport, and because my dog loves it. I like the competitions. Into the bargain you get a good proof of the obedience. If the dog obeys you in the protection work, he will obeys you in any situations. A dog there can manage the protection work has so much self-confidence that he doesn’t needs to bark at everything and to bite everyone. I have never had a dog for sending him after someone. Someone plays football, I train dog. It is my 4. SchH dog and they have all been a part of the family.
Bay the way, you shall never let a small child and a dog be together alone. The child could harm the dog and then…….!!!!