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What is a Schutzhund

The literal translation from German to English of the word "Schutzhund" is "protection" or "guardian" dog.
Schutzhund originated in Germany as a breeding suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). It provided breeders with a method to evaluate and pick only the highest quality dogs for their breeding programs. Today, German Shepherd Dogs may not be bred without aquiring Schutzhund titles, a breed survey, a conformation rating, hip xrays (and in the future elbow xrays) and a certificate of endurance.
Schutzhund Titles
Schutzhund offers three levels of titles, and there are three phases to each title. One must obtain a passing score in all three phases in order to obtain a title, and be able to advance to the next training level. The titles are:
Sch H I (novice)
Sch H II (intermediate)
Sch H III (master level)
VH I (Netherlands)
VH II
VH III
There is also an advanced tracking degree offered, FH.
The sport is designed for all athletic dogs with correct working abilities and is not restricted to a particular group or breed of dog.
Schutzhund Training Phases
For each of the three titles already discussed above, there are three distinct phases: tracking, obedience, and protection.
Tracking
In this phase, the dog must draw from inherited abilities by using his/her nose to find a object track and discover articles that have been dropped along the way. Unlike search & rescue, where the dog relies primarily on "air-scenting", schutzhund tracking is very focused on the footsteps, and is scored largely on the precision of the dog's performance. Depending upon the title sought, tracks will vary in length, shape and age. Tracking is usually done in dirt or on grass.
Obedience
The obedience phase involves numerous and demanding exercises which include heeling on and off leash, walking through a group of people, sit, down and/or stand while moving, recall, a 10-20 minute long down, retrieving, and jumping. Two shots are fired from a blank gun during the heeling, and the dog must not react adversely. A set pattern is demonstrated by the handler from memory.

Protection

This phase of Schutzhund training is the strongest test of the dog's basic temperament, and the emphasis is on control. It should not be confused with guard or police dog or personal protection training. A dog competing in the sport of Schutzhund must show courage without viciousness. Control is demonstrated throughout the protection phase, through off-lead movements of the handler and dog, and through guarding without biting. The "bad guy" or "helper" as he is known in the sport always wears protective pants and a special sleeve with a burlap cover. The dog is allowed to bite this sleeve and he must bite this in the correct manner. On command, the dog MUST release the bite - the ultimate in control criteria. A dog will fail if it does not release the bite when commanded to do so.