How to Select a German Shepherd for Schutzhund

The German Shepherd is a breed that has excelled in the Schutzhund ring since the beginning of the sport. German Shepherds are stable, sturdy and highly intelligent, making them an excellent choice for every aspect of the Schutzhund ring. However, not every German Shepherd is cut out for Schutzhund, and careful selections must be made to ensure you choose the best Schutzhund partner--here's what to look for.

Things You'll Need

Breeder
Knowledge of Schutzhund

Instructions

- 1
  Study up on all the aspects of the sport of Schutzhund. It is a challenging sport involving a complex obedience phase, a difficult tracking phase and a strenuous protection phase. A dog must be of sound mind and body in order to excel in all three aspects, so be sure you know exactly what is involved in all phases of a Schutzhund trial before you begin your puppy search (see Resources below).
- 2
  Make a list of the qualities that you wish to find in your Schutzhund prospect. Your puppy should be outgoing, unafraid, courageous and willing to explore the world around him. He needs to have a full mouth of properly set teeth and excellent conformation to hold up to the rigors of the Schutzhund ring, so be sure these are high on your priority list.
- 3
  Research German Shepherd lines and pedigrees. The most successful Schutzhund dogs often come from proven working lines and have parents and grandparents who were Schutzhund titled dogs. A history of strong working lines tend to yield more successful Schutzhund dogs than non-working lines, so look at lineages carefully.
- 4
  Contact breeders that you are interested in. Ask them about their involvement in Schutzhund and about any dogs they have that might be titled. Check over the prospective parents and see how the breeder's dogs are housed. A good breeder will have clean facilities and healthy dogs.
- 5
  Discuss your list of puppy qualities with the breeder. The breeder will evaluate her dogs and her lines to determine if she will have a puppy that will fit your needs. You can feel free to ask the breeder any questions that you may have and clarify any concerns before moving on.
- 6
  Look at potential puppies that the breeder has available. Watch them in the litter and see how they interact with other puppies. A good Schutzhund puppy will be bold and outgoing in the litter, coming to greet you and explore without fear. Get the puppy alone and watch him. He should not show fear of unusual objects and should investigate willingly.
- 7
  Talk to the breeder about her contracts and puppy purchasing procedure if you are interested in one of her pups. Most breeders have a certain procedure that they follow when selling a puppy so make sure that you are OK with all of the contract requirements and are willing to abide by any conditions that the breeder sets forth. You can discuss any payment arrangement and registration processes at this time as well.
- 8
  Sign any paperwork that the breeder requires to finish the purchase of your new Schutzhund prospect. Your breeder will most likely give you a transfer packet so that you can turn the puppy's registration over to your name, and a puppy packet with his veterinarian records and pedigree for your records. Be sure to clarify any final questions or concerns that you might have before you take your new puppy home.
- 9
  Allow your new puppy to settle in once you return home. The first few days can be very stressful for your puppy, so allow her to rest and play as she feels comfortable. Check to make sure she is eating properly and have your vet check her over within 72 hours. Doing your research and purchasing your puppy from a knowledgeable breeder should ensure that you have a long and successful career in the sport of Schutzhund.