The German Shepherd Dog was developed from working herding dogs around 1900 as an all around working dog. Within a few years it was clear that the dogs were losing their working ability. Schutzhund was developed at this time to test the working ability of the dogs. Only GSDs that had passed a schutzhund test were allowed to breed. This is true in Germany to this day. It is only by testing the working ability of every generation that the strong working characteristics of the GSD have been maintained. Dogs of any breed, even mixes, can compete in schutzhund today, but the most common breeds are GSDs, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Dutch Shepherd Dogs and the like.
There are three schutzhund titles: schutzhund 1 (SchH1), schutzhund 2 (SchH2), and schutzhund 3 (SchH3). SchH1 is the first title and SchH3 is the most advanced. Additionally, before a dog can compete for a SchH1, he must pass a temperament test called a B. The B tests basic obedience, sureness around strange people, strange dogs, traffic, and loud noises. A dog that exhibits fear or aggression cannot pass the B and so cannot go on to schutzhund.
The schutzhund test has changed over the years. Modern schutzhund consists of three phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. A dog must pass all three phases in one trial to be awarded a schutzhund title. Each phase is judged on a 100 point scale. The minimum passing score is 70. At any time the judge may dismiss a dog for showing poor temperament including fear or aggression.
In the tracking phase a track layer walks across a field, dropping several small articles along the way. After a period of time the dog is directed to follow the track. When the dog finds each article he indicates it, usually by laying down with the article between his front paws. The dog is scored on how intently and carefully he follows the track and indicates the articles. The length, complexity and age of the track varies for each title.
The obedience phase is done in a large field, like a football field. Dogs work in pairs. One dog is placed in a down position on the side of the field and his handler leaves him while the other dog works in the field. Then the dogs switch places. In the field there are several heeling exercises including heeling through a group of people. There are two or three gunshots during the heeling to test the dog's reaction to loud noises. There are one or two recalls, two or three retrieves, and a send out where the dog is directed to run away from the handler straight and fast and then lay down on command. Obedience is judged on the dog's accuracy and attitude. The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that is uninterested or cowering will score poorly.
In the protection phase the judge has an assistant, called the "helper", who helps him test the dog's courage and ability to be obedient under stress. The helper wears a heavily padded sleeve on one arm. There are several blinds on the field, places where the helper can hide. The dog is directed to search the blinds for the helper. When he finds the helper he indicates this barking. The dog must guard the helper to prevent him from moving. There follows a series of exercises similar to police work where the handler searches the helper and transports him to the judge. At specified points the helper either attacks the dog, the handler, or attempts to escape. The dog must stop the attack or escape by biting the padded sleeve. When the attack or escape stops the dog is commanded to release the sleeve, to "out". The dog must out or he will be dismissed. At all times the dog must show the courage to engage the helper and the temperament to be obedient in spite of the helper. Again the dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that shows fear, lack of control, or inappropriate aggression will be dismissed.
Schutzhund is governed by a confusing number of organizations. The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany, the SV, is the most powerful influence on schutzhund. The VDH, the all breed kennel club of Germany, is the body that sets the rules for schutzhund for all breeds. The DVG is an all breed dog sport organization in Germany that organizes schutzhund clubs and trials. There are DVG clubs in the United States, but the largest schutzhund organization in the US is the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, called USA. In spite of its name USA is a German Shepherd Dog breed club, but sponsors all breed schutzhund clubs and trials. The Working Dog Association (WDA) is a branch of another breed club, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA), which also sponsors clubs and trials. Then there are various other breed organizations which are involved in schutzhund and the American Working Dog Federation, which is an umbrella organization. This barely scratches the surface.
Most police departments do not allow their working dogs to breed. This is also true of many other organizations that use working dogs. The breeding stock for these working dogs is schutzhund dogs. Without schutzhund, the working ability of GSDs and other working breeds would quickly deteriorate and it would be difficult to find suitable dogs for police work, bomb detection, or search and rescue. People do schutzhund for fun, but they also know that they are giving back to society by developing the next generation of working dogs.