READING A GERMAN PEDIGREE

Many people purchase German imported German Shepherds. When the pedigree arrives it's written in German. This table is designed to help these people understand a little of their pedigrees.

German Terms	American Meaning
SCH	Schutzhund
Ahnentafel	Ancestoral listing
Eltern	Parents
Vater	Father
Mutter	Mother
Angekoert	Examined or surveyed
Leberezeit	Lifetime rated
Koermaster	Re-evaluated every year
“a” zuerk	Hips x-rayed & found good for breeding
ZB Zuchtbewertung	best in confirmation
“V” Vorgueglich	Excellent Show Rating
ZH	Customs
Such H	Search
SH	Red Cross
PH	Police
FH	Advanced Tracking Title
HGH	Herding Dog Title
HGH	20 km Endurance Test
Law H	Avalanche rescue
MH	Message
SV	German Shepherd Dog Club of W. Germany
BLH	Leader (blind)
Zpr	Suitable for breeding
Koerklasse	Breed survey
Geschecht	Gender
Stockhaarig	Hair
Wurflag	Birthdate
Wurfjahr	Year
Zuechter	Breeder
Inzuchtauf I	nbreeding
Wurfstoerke	Litter size
Besondere Kennzeichen	Tattoo
Ammehaufzucht Wet	nurse or foster mother
Das zuchatbachamt des SV	Keeper of Stud Book
Koersucht-Leiftungszucht-Ahnentafel	Breeding & Production Pedigree
Geschwister	Siblings
Koer	Summary of body development: motion & temp
Schwartz	Black
Braun Abzuchin	Brown
Grau	Grey
Gelbe	Yellow or Tan
SBA	All black

Courtesy of United Schutzhund Clubs of America
Schutzhund and the German Shepherd Dog

What is Schutzhund

Schutzhund is a German word meaning "protection dog". It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners. Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts. Many are familiar with the obedience work of the American Kennel Club's affiliates and will recognize the first two parts, tracking and obedience. The Schutzhund standards for the third part, protection work, are similar to those for dogs in police work.

While dogs of other breeds are also actively involved in the sport of Schutzhund and often follow similar criteria for breeding purposes, this breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability.

This working dog sport offers an opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete with each other for recognition of both the handler's ability to train and the dog's ability to perform as required. It is a sport enjoyed by persons of varied professions, who join together in a camaraderie born of their common interest in working with their dogs. Persons of all ages and conditions of life even those with significant disabilities enjoy Schutzhund as a sport. Often, it is a family sport.

The Three Parts of a Schutzhund Trial

The tracking phase includes a temperament test by the overseeing judge to assure the dog's mental soundness. When approached closely on a loose leash, the dog should not act shyly or aggressively. The track is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as dirt or grass. The track includes a number of turns and a number of small, man made objects left by this person on the track itself. At the end of a 33 foot leash, the handler follows the dog, which is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of the objects, usually by lying down with it between its front paws. The tracking phase is intended to test the dog's trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance.

The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of which are closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling, there is a gun shot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to such sharp noises. There is also a series of field exercises in which the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the handler. With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions, at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog's temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very importantly, its willingness to serve its owner.

The protection phasetests the dog's courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler's control of the dog is absolutely essential.

The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a decoy), and guarding that decoy while the handler approaches. The dog is expected to pursue the decoy when an escape is attempted and to hold the grip firmly. The decoy is searched and transported to the judge with the handler and dog walking behind and later at the decoy's right side. When the decoy attempts to attack the handler, the dog is expected to stop the attack with a firm grip and no hesitation. The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place by the dog's handler from the opposite end of the trial field. The dog is sent after the decoy who is threatening the dog with a stick and charging at the handler. All grips during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the decoy discontinues the fight. The protection tests are intended to assure that the dog possesses the proper temperament for breeding.

Schutzhund Around the World

The first Schutzhund trial was held in Germany in 1901 to emphasize the correct working temperament and ability in the German Shepherd breed. Originally, these dogs were herding dogs, but the industrialization of Germany encouraged breeders to promote the use of their dogs as police and military dogs. The Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV), the parent club, became concerned that this would lead to careless breeding and undesirable traits such as mental instability, so it developed the Schutzhund test. Since then, many other countries and working dog organizations have also adopted Schutzhund as a sport and a test of working performance in dogs. International rules have been established, and they are administered by the Verein fur Deutsche Hundesport (VDH).

The Schutzhund Titles

The BHor companion dog title is a pre-requirement for Schutzhund titles. All breeds and sizes are eligible with the minimum age requirements of 15 months.

There are three levels of the Schutzhund test.

For Schutzhund 1 the dog must be at least 18 months old and pass an initial temperament test by the judge. The dog must heel on the leash and off, demonstrate the walking sit, the walking down, and the stay tests, as well as the send-out. It must retrieve on the flat and over a hurdle. In tracking, it must be able to follow a track laid by its handler at least 20 minutes earlier. There are also protection tests.

For Schutzhund 2the dog must be at least 19 months old and must already have earned its Schutzhund 1 degree. It must again pass all of the obedience and protection tests required for the Schutzhund 1 degree, but those tests, for Schutzhund 2, are made more difficult and require greater endurance, agility, and, above all, control. There is an additional retrieve required over the six foot slanted wall. In tracking, the Schutzhund II candidate must be able to follow a track laid by a stranger at least 30 minutes earlier.

For Schutzhund 3, the master's degree, the dog must be at least 20 months old and must have earned both the Schutzhund 1 and the Schutzhund 2 titles. Again, the tests now are made far more difficult. All exercises in obedience and protection are demonstrated off leash. There is the addition of a walking and running stand. In tracking, the dog must follow a track that was laid by a stranger at least 60 minutes earlier. The track has four turns, compared with two turns for Schutzhund 1 and 2, and there are three objects, rather than two, that must be found by the dog. The picture of obedience, strength, eagerness, and confidence presented by an excellent Schutzhund 3 team is a beautiful illustration of the partnership of human and dog.

In addition to the Schutzhund temperament tests, the United Schutzhund Clubs of America offer three training degrees: the FH 1 and FH 2, advanced tracking degrees; WH, or basic protection degree which includes basic obedience, and the AD which is an 12.5 mile endurance test and includes obedience. USA also offers six seperate obedience and tracking titles that reflect the routines for SchH 1, 2, & 3 levels.

The Value to the Breed

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 to the worthiness of the dog for breeding. Dogs rated Koerkiass 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 structure.

What Is the Judge Looking for in the-Dog?

At all three stages - Schutzhund 1,2, and 3 - each of the three phases: obedience, tracking, and protection, is worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points. If a dog does not receive a minimum of 70% - or if the dog fails the pretrial temperament test- it is not awarded a degree that day and must repeat the entire test, passing all phases of the test at a later trial. In every event, the judge is looking for an eager, concentrating, accurate working dog. High ratings and scores are given to the animal that displays a strong willingness and ability to work for its human handler.

The Schutzhund-Trained Dog in the Home

Since Schutzhund is the demonstration of the German Shepherd dog's most desirable characteristics, dogs well trained in Schutzhund are usually excellent companions in the home. The German Shepherd Dog - like any; other working dog that possesses mental stability-has trust and confidence in itself, allowing it to be at peace with its surroundings.
In addition to sound structural efficiencies for long, arduous work, the standard for the German Shepherd Dog calls for mental stability and a willingness to work. The dog should be approachable, quietly standing its ground, showing confidence and a willingness to meet overtures without itself necessarily making them. It should be generally calm, but eager and alert when the situation warrants. It should be fearless, but also good with children.

The German Shepherd Dog should not be timid or react nervously to unusual sounds or sights. A dog that is overly aggressive because of its overall fears of people and events can be extremely dangerous. The Schutzhund sport is designed to identify and eliminate such dogs from breeding stock. Because Schutzhund training gives the owner a great deal of control over the dog, the owner is able to let the dog have more fun. Not only is Schutzhund training itself enjoyable for the dog, but the Schutzhund trained dog knows how to please its owners, creating a stronger bond between dog and owners.

The Schutzhund-Trained Dog for Police Work

A dog that performs well in Schutzhund work is obviously a very good candidate for police work. Police dogs, like other service dogs, must have temperaments with a good foundation of intelligence and utility. A minimal amount of additional training makes many well-trained Schutzhund dogs ready for active police duty. Such fearless police dogs can also work around children and in crowds without worry on the part of their handlers.

Choosing a Puppy for Schutzhund

In every breed, the pedigree is the key to knowing the potential of the puppy. Schutzhund revolves around working lines with generations of dogs that have proven themselves and produced similar characteristics in their offspring. These characteristics include not only the physical structure of the dog, which is very important, but also its temperament. Selecting the bloodlines from which you want your puppy may require advice. Information from breed surveys can help. Of course, it makes sense to discuss your objectives with reputable and experienced Schutzhund handlers or enthusiasts.

Once you have determined that the blood­lines of the potential dam and sire are of high quality, you should observe the parents, especially the mother, if that is at all possible. The dam will be the main influence on the young pup for the first six weeks of its life. If the dam is nervous or unsure, chances are this uncertainty will be transferred to the offspring.

If you are able to see the litter, watch the puppies together and also separately, to try to determine which is the best puppy. Obvious structural defects or health problems should be watched for. It is important that the puppy have intense instinct to chase prey- a ball, a toy, etc- and also be the leader in the sense of be confident of the other puppies. The puppy should not show fear when away from its litter mates. It should not need to stay with the mother. The puppy should be adventurous and active, playing with objects shown to it by someone in the enclosure, but it should be independent enough to take that object and go off on its own as well.

It is independence and confidence, combined with the positive contact with the pack leader (the dam, at this time) that will develop into the traits of trainability that you need.

Raising a Puppy for Schutzhund Work

Puppy hood is the most critical period for the development of the characteristics you want to encourage. Your local Schutzhund club can advise you about nurturing and socializing your growing puppy. A puppy learns from its experiences, so you want to provide only positive ones. It should be provided with opportunity to explore and investigate new situations and new people, but always in a non-threatening way. Remember that your goal is to build confidence in the young animal. Your aim is not to dominate or oppress the young pup. Exposure to different environments is crucial to the general education of the dog and also to assure it that the world is a safe place. If something appears to make the dog unsure, give it the opportunity to investigate it slowly, but do not force the issue.

It is imperative to avoid situations where your dog would be dominated by another, older or stronger dog, or by another puppy. You also want to avoid having to discipline or correct your puppy and thus dampen its spirit or damage its self-confidence. You can do this by never leaving the pup in a situation where it can cause damage to your valuables or find itself in a dangerous predicament.

The final area of development is that of drive encouragement. The natural behaviors that you want to encourage are playing with the ball, tug of war, hide and seek, pulling toys on a string, pursuing you rapidly when you run away, and finally defending itself, its family, and its home. The latter really only shows itself between the ages of nine and 18 months, as the pup begins to mature, by barking at strangers or intruders. Acceptable manners at home and in the car and "play" training, like learning to sit for a food reward, with no corrections involved, is advisable. Real obedience work can begin once the puppy is more mature. It is better to leave for later formal obedience training with a young dog. The character of the puppy is not sufficiently strong to withstand the stress that may be involved in obedience training.

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.

SCHUTZHUND BEGAN AS A TEST

Its purpose was to determine which dogs should be used for breeding that had working ability. The growing demand for better working dogs made more sophisticated tests and training necessary. These dogs were needed for police training, border patrol, customs, military ,and herding activities. Schutzhund tests the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, & trainability.

Schutzhund dog sport is similar to 3-day eventing with horses. You are judged in 3 different areas of training on the same day. Larger events (national and or regional competitions) may divide these phases into 2 or 3 different days. Club trials are normally in one day. It may take up to 2 years to become ready to trial. The most difficult part is to find the correct dog for the work. It takes a very sound animal in both mind and body to compete.

You are judged in the sport of Schutzhund in three areas, tracking obedience and protection You must first pass a temperament test and obtain a BH degree to be able to compete. The BH is an obedience degree only.

There are minimum age requirements to enter your dog for the various titles.
It is one of those extraordinary mornings that tell us fall is coming. The air is crisp; the trees now striped with reds and yellows in an otherwise summer colored world. On the thick grassy mat lies a dog, breathing calmly with eyes expectant. The handler picks up the old, worn leather line and speaks to the animal. It stands, stares and then lowers its dark muzzle to the cover, moving slowly, steadily along a line no human can know. It's warm breath turns to steam and spreads, for only an instant, across the forward path in burst, like an engine. As it moves, the power increases so it is driven by only one desire, the fusion of scent and animal. When it reaches the first corner, it senses the change and shifts to another direction, confident of its skill and purpose. As the dog moves towards the distant hills, the trainer -only walking behind- has a solitary wonder of what voice from nature this child of the wolf is hearing.

The above taken from the book " TRACKING: the beginning" by Gary Patterson
Sirius Publishing 3333 S. Bannock, Suite 950 Englewood, Colorado 80110

SO YOU WANT A GERMAN SHEPARD

For many years, dog fanciers around the globe have been drawn to the noble German Shepherd Dog (GSD) for its intelligence, strength, courage and trainability, making it one of the most popular breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. Made even more popular by movie dogs such as Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd Dog is also one of the most recognizable of breeds.

However, no breed is ideal for every home or family situation. If you are considering adding a German Shepherd Dog (adult or puppy) to your family, please ask yourself which of the following statements is most accurate:

1. I want a dog that will be easy to train.

CONSIDER A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG. A GSD is one of the most intelligent, versatile and trainable of all breeds, making it suitable for almost any type of work. The American Kennel Club states, "German Shepherd Dogs are utilized often as police dogs, service dogs, agility dogs, conformation animals, obedience dogs, and sentinels. Their high trainability and extreme loyalty and commitment make them an excellent choice for any agenda."

2. I work long hours and want a dog that will be content to stay alone in the backyard until I have a few minutes to spend with it on weekends.

DO NOT GET A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG. The very intelligence that makes a GSD so appealing to many requires a commitment of time on the part of its owner. The GSD who is left alone for long periods of time and isolated in this way will become miserable, resorting to undesirable and even destructive behaviors, such as excessive barking or digging. He may even try to escape his confinement to be with his family. All dogs need to be part of a "pack," and this is especially true of the GSD breed.

3. I want a dog that I can take on hikes, that will jog with me, or that I can teach to play Frisbee.

CONSIDER A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG. The GSD is an athletic, active breed that will greatly enjoy any sport you share with it. She has the stamina to keep up with your every activity and will appreciate the exercise, but most importantly, will enjoy your companionship. These are the same qualities that cause GSDs to excel in agility, obedience and rally sports, and make them renowned for their work as search dogs and service dogs for the blind.

4. I want a dog that will be a good companion for children and at the same time a steady protector of its family.

CONSIDER A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG. A well-bred GSD has a steady, even temperament and many learn to look upon children as their special charges. However, keep in mind that the GSD is a large breed, and an exuberant adolescent dog could easily knock down a very small child without intending to cause it harm. As with all dogs, care should be taken to supervise them around children; and at the same time, children should always be taught to be considerate of dogs.

The GSD is also legendary for its protective instincts. Its very size and appearance alone are sometimes enough to ward off those with unpleasant intentions. The GSD will quickly learn to protect and guard what is his, without any special additional training.

5. I'm not a professional, but I've always wanted an "attack" dog.

PLEASE DO NOT GET A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG! Professionally-trained guard dogs, K-9 unit dogs and military dogs should always be in the hands of a professional trainer. Any GSD with a sound temperament, treated with kindness, will learn to love her family and will protect it with her very life if the need arises. There is no special training needed; this is the GSD's natural instinct.

6. I'm not very active, live in very confined quarters, and don't get out much. I want a dog that's a "couch potato."

A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG MAY NOT BE A GOOD MATCH FOR YOU. Although temperaments of individual dogs can vary within breeds, the GSD is a large, active breed that requires a certain level of physical exercise and mental stimulation. An owner who, for example, lives in an apartment would need to find a way to satisfy his GSD's physical activity requirements and prevent boredom.

It should be noted here that some GSDs trained as guide dogs have adapted well to apartment dwelling in many urban areas. This is especially true in inner city settings where persons needing assistance are in high crime urban areas. The mere presence of a breed such as the GSD in this role adds an extra measure of security.

Sometimes an older dog can also be ideal in an apartment setting. Care would have to be taken to find the right individual dog.

7. I want to make money selling puppies.

PLEASE DO NOT GET A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG! Please speak to a reputable breeder of any breed. They will tell you that done correctly, the breeding of puppies is not a money-making proposition, but one that requires an investment of your time and resources. And once you have made this investment, a number of things can go wrong: the mother dog can lose some or all of her puppies. The mother or puppies may require expensive medical care. Or you may not find enough suitable homes (and German Shepherd Dogs typically have large litters).

There are countless puppies and dogs of all breeds needing homes and many Purebred Rescue services trying to place them. Unless you believe your bitch can make an honest contribution to the breed, as evidenced by her success in the show ring, her adherence to the standard, or the value of her bloodline, please think twice about bringing even more puppies into the world

EASY TIPS FDR HOUSEBREAKING A PUPPY

If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy, there is no excuse for any bad habits to develop over his lifetime. Puppies learn INSTANTLY when they are that young, and if you use the proper training methods, gentle but consistent, he will behave like an angel his whole life through.

The most important training, of course, is housebreaking. Boys are easier than girls because exploring outside is their favorite thing. They just cannot get enough of all the new smells out there!

The main key to housebreaking is watching. Watch your puppy AND the clock. Once every hour is not too often on a day he is active and the weather is good. The younger the pup, the more often he needs to go out, mostly because he is growing so fast. He must drink more water to fuel his metabolism than he does as an adult. Also, since he eats three or four times a day, you know what that means.

Watch him for subtle changes. If he is happily chewing his toy, and gets up suddenly with his nose to the floor, move quickly! He is ready to squat! If he has had a nice nap, get him out of his crate and outside right away. If he has just had a good grooming, it stimulates his circulation and guess what? Time to go out again. And of course after a meal, watch him extra close.

Things to remember:

— Do not punish him for mistakes. They are YOUR fault. Every time you take him out he will go, and praise praise and praise! Happy face, laughter, happy noises! He loves your happy face. When he makes a mistake, your frown and your face turned away from him is all the punishment he needs. He will get the point.

— He is learning English, you must use the same phrases over and over. "Good go potty!" "Hafta go potty?" "Wanna go potty?" He can learn in one afternoon that "go potty" means a jaunt outside and your happy face. Whatever phrase you choose, stick with it.

— I cannot recommend strongly enough getting a crate. They truly help with all phases of his training. They make him more secure, provide him with his very own private space and a place for him to hide his favorite toys and chewies. This is even more important if you have other adult dogs in the house.
Be consistent, always be kind and gentle, and be patient as he learns your language, and your puppy will always look forward to his training sessions. Dogs love to work!

Training Commands