Schutzhund, also known as IGP, is a dog sport developed in Germany for the evaluation of working dogs. The dogs are tested in three phases: Obedience, Protection, and Tracking. There are multiple levels of competition and difficulty for the dog to advance through, with the highest title being IGP3. There are also trials available should you only be interested in obedience or tracking. All breeds can participate in this sport, though some breeds are more likely to succeed, such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Boxers, and Belgian Malinois.
We welcome prospective members to come and observe a training day. Please use the contact form to let us know your interest.
Please keep in mind that training days are for club members and the focus will be on the dog-handler teams. If you are bringing people with you, please let us know ahead of time. Schutzhund dogs are highly trained, but you will likely not be permitted to interact with them during the training day. While we love to see the younger generations enjoying the beauty of our working dogs and the sport of Schutzhund, please note that they would have to remain quiet and still throughout training.
In every breed, the pedigree is the key to knowing the potential of the puppy. The sport of Schutzhund/IGP revolves around working lines—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, but also its temperament. Selecting the bloodlines from which you want your puppy may require advice from reputable and experienced Schutzhund handlers or further research.
When it comes to the puppy itself, a puppy well fit for Schutzhund/IGP should be adventurous and active, playing with toys shown to it by someone in an enclosure. It should also be independent enough to take that toy and go off on its own. Independence and confidence will help your puppy develop the traits of trainability that you need.
If you have an older puppy or dog that you think would benefit from Schutzhund you would look for the same traits: clear-headed, confidence in both familiar and new situations, drive for a ball/toy/food, independence, pursuing you rapidly when you run away, defending itself, protecting its owner, self-control, focus, obedience, intelligence, and other characteristics and behaviors.
We have some club members that pursue other dog sports, such as other bite sports or obedience sports. While our club trainers may not be the most experienced in sports aside from Schutzhund, we love to learn and help however we can. You are welcome to reach out to us even if your interest isn’t in Schutzhund specifically.
If you are in the process of getting your puppy, we encourage you to come out and observe a training day so you can meet the club members, see our fields, and chat with our founder. If you already own your Schutzhund prospect, please use the contact form to let us know you have a dog you wish to have evaluated.
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