The Value of Schutzhund training to the German Shepherd Breed
The Value of Schutzhund training to the German Shepherd Breed
courtesy of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America
Any registered German Shepherd that has earned a Schutzhund degree has demonstrated sufficient ability as a working dog to qualify for breed evaluation. The breed evaluation is a very detailed examination of the dog’s structure, temperament and pedigree and requires both a certification of good hip joints and sufficient performance on an endurance test (the AD). Dogs that do well in the breed evaluation receive a Koerklasse I or Koerklasse II. This is a recommendation and evaluation by a trained and recognized expert Judge as the worthiness of the dog for breeding. Dogs rated Koerklasse II are “suitable for breeding” and dogs rated Koerklasse I are “recommended for breeding”. By thus screening dogs in order to select the suitable specimens for breeding, Schutzhund helps to maintain the quality of the breed at a very high level. Thus, there is a very high level of assurance that puppies born to Schutzhund dams and sired by Schutzhund dogs are more likely to be of reliable temperament, high intelligence, steady nerves, extreme endurance, great strength, and sound structures.
Do Dogs Enjoy Schutzhund Training?
If trained in the right manner, dogs enjoy working, as anyone who attends a Schutzhund competition can see. The joy of the dogs in working with their handlers is evident.
For thousands of years, dogs have adapted to serve humans in a mutually beneficial relationship. While dogs could move quickly, hunt prey, and protect flocks and their owner, the humans could provide food, shelter from the most severe elements, and protection from larger predators, besides tending to the dog’s injuries. A dog’s reason for being is to serve humans.
Schutzhund training helps develop the dog’s natural instincts to a high level. Self-confident dogs, doing work for which they are well trained, are happy dogs. Wagging tails, sounds of excitement, and strong pulling on a leash all show an observer at a Schutzhund trial how much fulfillment dogs find in this work.
For More Information About Schutzhund
The GSDCA-WDA (German Shepherd Dog Club of America- Working Dog Association, Inc.) is a national organization which was formed in 1982 and which offers both Schutzhund trials, Breed Shows and Breed Surveys using SV and SV trained judges. We also choose the team to represent the GSDCA at the World (WUSV) Championship. We welcome all German Shepherd enthusiasts who are interested in improving the working and structural qualities of the German Shepherd Dog.
The GSDCA-WDA publishes a bi-monthly newsletter (which includes information about training, a breeders directory, etc.)and offers several booklets and videos on raising German Shepherd puppies as well as several aspects of training. In addition to local club trials and shows, the national organization sponsors an annual Schutzhund Championship, an annual Conformation "Championship" (The North American Sieger Show), and an annual Universal Championship which combines a Schutzhund Trial and a Breed Show on the same weekend. WDA individual membership is $36 per year (plus a $5 initiation fee); the family membership is $54 per year (two people, same address) plus the $5 initiation fee. Our Membership Chairman is: Virginia Altman, 771 Gramsie Rd., St. Paul, MN 55126. Her phone number is: (651) 481-0704. Applications forms can also be obtained from this website.
WDA clubs are organized by regions through the U.S., and there are numerous clubs in most areas of nearly all states. They are an excellent source of information. To contact a club or the Regional Director for your area, visit our Member Club page on this site. Read more
