vom Haus Ledda - Form and Function Create Utility

Form and Function Create Utility

The sport of Schutzhund is one of several fun and competitive activities that we enjoy with our dogs to better evaluate our dogs for temperament and traits required by the breed standard. Adrian and I have participated in Schutzhund for over 25 years. Schutzhund is a German word meaning "protection dog." It was first developed in Germany at the turn of the century as a comprehensive test of the German Shepherd Dog to evaluate its suitability for breeding as a working dog.

Rita and Niki

Adrian is a recipient of the USA Bronze Medal for points earned in the sport of Schutzhund, and I am a recipient of the USA Gold Sports Medal and the SV Gold Sports Medal. I have also earned both the prestigious Großen SV Hundeführer Sportsabzeichen and the WUSV Sonderleistungs-Sportsabzeichen Stüfe 1. My further accomplishments have now qualified me for the highest medal available, the WUSV Sonderleistungs-Sportsabzeichen Stüfe 2.

The core Schutzhund titles -- SchH1, SchH2 and SchH3 -- require successful completion of three trial phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. The three phases of the Schutzhund trial test and evaluate the dog’s mental stability, endurance, physical soundness, scentwork, work ethic, courage, and trainability.

Bixie awaiting mail delivery.

Fanny and Virginia tracking in the snow.

Virginia and Fanny tracking in the snow.

Typically beginning early in the morning with tracking on grass, sod, or plowed earth, a Schutzhund trial continues throughout the day with obedience and then protection. After the dogs complete each phase, the judge critiques and scores their performance.

Many vom Haus Ledda progeny have earned Schutzhund degrees and titles, from the fundamental Bh (Companion Dog) to the Masters level Schutzhund 3 and FH titles.