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 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. Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts. People know about obedience in AKC, but in schutzhund tracking and protection is also done.  The tracking phase is intended to test the dog's trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance. 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.  (Tracking Diagrams) 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.(Obedience Diagram) The protection phase, the most misunderstood part of Schutzhund, tests the dog's courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler's control of the dog is absolutely essential.A Schutzhund dog is a sport dog. The sport of Schutzhund is designed to show a dog that is sound in nerve, temperament and body. Schutzhund is actually a high caliber temperament test. A true Schutzhund dog is equally as comfortable in a kindergarten class as he is on the protection field. 

There are four titles in Schutzhund. The first being the BH or companion dog title is a pre-requirement for Schutzhund titles. The minimum age requirements is 15 months. For Schutzhund 1 the dog must be at least 18 months old and pass an initial temperament test by the judge. The dog must do the obedience routine off leash. 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 2 the 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. 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. 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.

There are other titles through Schutzhund that you can obtain. The FH 1 and FH 2 are the advanced tracking degrees; and the AD which is an 12.5 mile endurance test and includes obedience.

Interestingly, in Germany, a Schutzhund degree is required for the parents of many working breeds before a breeding is allowed. This requirement promotes correct working drives, thus eliminating unsatisfactory temperament from being bred.