Instructions
Read over the preliminary Schutzhund title, the Begleithundprüfung or BH. The BH is the entry-level title that a Schutzhund dog will earn. The BH consists of a short obedience phase and traffic steadiness test, after which the dog is scored. The dog must earn at least 70% of the available points in the obedience phase and be considered acceptable on the second phase to earn his BH title.
Review the first official Schutzhund title, the Schutzhund I title. A dog must be at least 18 months old to earn the Schutzhund I title and must perform a short variety of fairly simple exercises, including off-lead heeling, the walking sit, walking down, send-out and long-down under distraction. The dog must score acceptably in all phases to earn this title.
Look over the Schutzhund II title, also known as the SchHII. The Schutzhund II title is more difficult than the first, with the obedience exercises becoming more complex, the tracking phase longer and the protection phase including more distractions. A dog must perform each section proficiently to move onto her SchHII title.
Study the final level of Schutzhund titling, the Schutzhund III title. The SchHIII title is the highest level of Schutzhund title that most dogs typically achieve, and it is by far the most difficult. The dog must adequately perform the most complex level of performance tests with a very difficult obedience, lengthy tracking and tough protection phase. The dog must perform with drive and enthusiasm to score well and earn the SchHIII title.
Take note of a few other titles that you might see on a Schutzhund dog’s pedigree. FH is a designation for an advanced tracking degree and is common with excellent tracking dogs. IPO titles are fairly common in internationally bred dogs, as IPO is an international trial title. AD designates a title earned by a dog that has gone through and passed a rigorous endurance test. Titles come in wide variety of abbreviations. Although a little variation is common, understanding the most common Schutzhund titles should now be an easy feat.
How to Read Schutzhund Titles
Schutzhund, German for protection dog, is a canine sport that is growing in popularity. It is a complex sport that includes a tracking phase, an obedience phase and a protection phase. The dog must perform with exemplary scores to receive a title, and earning titles can be a long and daunting process. Reading and understanding Schutzhund titles can be intimidating to a novice, but with a little time and research, a complete understanding of titles is entirely possible.