What is Schutzhund?

Schutzhund training tests three specific areas of a dog's training and behaviour.  In each area,  a maximum of 100 points can be made, making a total of 300 points for all three areas.  A minimum score of 70 points in categories A & B and a minimum of 80 points in category C is required to obtain a title or degree.  To qualify for Sch I, II, or III, all dogs entered must pass a temperament test.  Dogs who fail the test are disqualified from the trial.
 

tracking Category A - worth 100 points

Ato with owner Terry Deelstra

obedience Category B - worth 100 points

Echo - over the broad jump (CDX)

Echo - over the a-frame

Abby - over the high jump

Echo - retrieving Sch III dumbbell

protection Category C - worth 100 points

Echo - courage test

Echo - courage test

Echo - bark & hold

Echo - search the blind

There are tremendous differences in the way each country (American-AKC and German-ADRK), evaluates the conformation of its rottweilers.  In other words, German shows and AKC shows are “worlds apart”.

I began showing rottweilers at AKC shows over 20 years ago.  I spent several years and dollars purusing that pastime, with moderate success (one champion, several pointed). I  now show almost exclusively at German-style shows, so obviously I am biased.  However, I’d like to explain as objectively as I can, just why I prefer German-style shows.

The German Way . . . .
A rottweiler show in Germany, or a German-style show in the US (ARV & USRC) is just that - a show for rottweilers only, with rottweiler specialists as judges.  Most European judges only judge one or two breeds.  The grounds are spacious, with rings about 40 to 50 yards square.

The handlers are dressed as if for a sporting event - in nylon warm ups or shorts with running shoes.  The dogs are athletic looking and muscular.

Each dog is individually critiqued aloud while standing naturally and alertly at the end of its lead.  Some are better trained at this than others, and therefore present a better picture.  The judge walks around the dog as he critiques it in order to see it from all angles.  If the dog sits or stands awkwardly, the handler walks it in a circle and tries to reposition it better.  The judge asks the handler to show the entire mouth so he can examine for missing or irregular teeth.  This may take time for the young dogs, but is usually done without actually touching the dog.  The judge usually only touches the dog to check the testicles.  The dog is then moved around the ring usually just once or twice at this point.  The judge makes continuous notes on each dog and each dog's critique is tyuped as it is being given.

After the individual critiques, the dogs are run as a group for a minimum of five minutes for small classes of young dogs, and as long as 20 to 30 minutes for large classes of adult dogs.  The running not only displays the dog's conditioning and endurance, but also reveals faults which are not always immediately evident.  The judge watches carefully, noting which dogs fall apart from structural defects or poor conditioning.  Most judges use a process of eliminiation by pulling the lesser dogs inot the center, while the better dogs continue running.  The judge usually will then give ratings to the lesser dogs and excuses them so he can concentrate on his finalists.  He may decide that in a class of 20, 8 or the dogs are excellent, and will therefore receive "V" ratings.  Or, he may decide that 18 of the 20 dogs are worthy of "V" ratings.  There are no rules about this; however, only four will receive placings.

When the judge has narrowed the class to his final placings, he will typically announce to the audience why he places each dog as he does.  In all, each dog receives at least 10 minutes of the judge's attention, more if it is a finalist.  And all of the dogs go home with a rating and a written critique from that judge.

The American Way . . . 
American (AKC) shows are patterned after the British system of dog shows, and tend to be large exhibitions of all breeds.  Most judges are approved for several breeds, and some even judge all breeds (imagine the audacity of considering oneself to be an "expert" of over 130 breeds!).

At Rottweiler Speciality shows, the judges typically are rottweiler specialists, but the same system of judging is used.  All rings are usually the same size, whether they are filled with beagles or rottweilers.  Dogs are sometimes nose to tail around the ring (again, at specialities, rings are usually larger).  Handlers are dressed more appropriately for lunch or dinner, men in jackets with ties and the ladies in dresses.  Dogs are well fed and well groomed.

Most breeds, including rottweilers, are hand "stacked" and held into position by handlers, and are expected to remain like statues while being manually examined by the judge.  The better handlers are excellent at making the dogs look good quickly and with a minimum of fuss as timing is critical.  Each dog is expected to be standing perfectly when the judge's eye rests upon it, and it rarely gets a second chance.  If a dog happens to sit or stand awkwardly, the judge usually discounts it, and looks for a better posed one.  For this reason, handling is very important.

The judge usually gives each dog an overall appraisal, then quickly examines the teeth, rarely actually seeing the entire mouth, especially the tiny first premolars.  The judge will run his hands over the dogs body and have the handler move it down and back and around once.  Each dog receives about one minute of individual attention, maybe more if the judge moves it more than once.  Rarely does the judge take notes.

Next, the dogs are usually run once or twice around as a group, and the judge may rearrange their order, or in large classes, eliminate the lesser dogs.  The judge will then look at the group again, and finally run them around one or twice more, pointing "one, two, three four" to his placements without explanation!!  The majority of dogs shown in an AKC show go home with nothing.

Without discussing the emotional issues such as professional handlers, money and politics, just compare the two systems objectively.  Which system is more likely to accurately assess the conformation of the rottweiler?

The system in which a rottweiler specialist spends at least ten minutes giving a verbal critique and explaining his reasons for his placements, or the system, where a "generic" dog expert spends one or two minutes on each dog and gives no explanation for anything?  Which system gives more to the average competitor or spectator?

As I said in the beginning, I've already decided my preference.  And, I'm just talking about conformation, I didn't even mention WORKING ABILITY.....
Lucy Ang

The second part of the test is the temperament portion. During the temperament portion, the dog must demonstrate calmness and security among a group of people milling close by. It must be neutral towards a jogger, bicycle and vehicle. The dog must heel willingly on a loose lead. The dog must act with complete indifference towards pedestrians, joggers etc. A stranger will come up to the handler and shake hands. The dog is expected to ignore this person. The dog and handler then move through heavy and noisy pedestrian traffic. The handler must stop twice, the first time ordering the dog to sit and the second time to lay down. The dog must remain calm and undisturbed. The dog must show no dog aggression when a strange dog is walked within 2 feet of it with the handler out of site. The dog must also show loyalty to the handler by coming promptly when called off lead.