What is Schutzhund?
Schutzhund is a German word meaning “protection dog”. It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owner.
Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts. Many familiar with the obedience work of the Canadian Kennel Club affiliates will recognize the first two parts, tracking and obedience. The Schutzhund standards for the third part, protection work, are similar to those for dogs in police work.
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. Schutzhund extends beyond the sport field as well, serving as a training ground and source of young dogs which may find their way into service as Police Service Dogs and in many countries, Search and Rescue Dogs. | 
