Schutzhund/IPO Trials & Titles

Schutzhund trials offer an opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete for titles and recognition. These titles recognize both the handler’s ability to train and the dog’s ability to perform as required.

The BH is a degree for traffic-safe companion dogs that tests the dog’s temperament in and around people. It includes basic formal obedience — heeling on and off leash, sits, downs, and recalls — as well as practical tests of the dog’s character in everyday situations. These include reaction to normal situations involving crowds of people, strange noises, joggers, cars, and other dogs. Before being allowed to enter for a Schutzhund or IPO title, the dog must first have successfully completed the BH.

The Three Parts of a Schutzhund/IPO Trial
Schutzhund and IPO work concentrates on three parts. The first two parts are tracking and obedience. These parts are also utilized by many of the American Kennel Club’s affiliates. The third part is unique to the Schutzhund/IPO standard, which is protection work.

Phase 1: Tracking

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. Then, a dog must follow its handler and navigate a track. 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.

The dog is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of an object, 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.

Phase 2: Obedience

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 gunshot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to such sharp noises. The obedience portion also contains 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 handler.

Phase 3: Protection

The protection phase tests the dog’s courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler’s control for the dog is absolutely essential in this phase. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a human 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 without hesitation.

The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked by the judge to come out of a hiding place from the opposite end of the trial field. The dog is sent after the decoy when he refuses to listen to the handler’s command to stop. The decoy then runs directly at the dog while threatening the dog with a stick. All grips during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command or when the decoy discontinues the fight. The protection tests are intended to assure that the dog is neither a coward nor a criminal menace.

What is the Judge looking for in the Dog?

At all three stages – Schutzhund I, II, and III – 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 points in tracking, 70 points in obedience, and 70 points in protection, it is not awarded a degree that day. This is also the case if a dog does not pass the pre-trial temperament test. To successfully receive a degree, the dog 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 and accurate working dog with strong concentration. High ratings and scores are given to the animal that displays a strong willingness and ability to work for its human handler.

The three levels of both Schutzhund and IPO titles denote the advanced levels of training tests passed. The higher the level, the more difficult the training. For more information on the three IPO titles, learn more on the United Schutzhund Club of America

• BH – basic obedience and temperament test
• SchA – obedience and protection only
• IPO V – preliminary level
• SchH1/IPO 1 – first level
• SchH2/IPO 2 – second level
• SchH3/ IPO 3 – top level
• OB I, II, III – separate obedience titles
• TR I, II, III – separate tracking titles
• FH I, II – advanced tracking titles
• WH – watchdog title
• AD – endurance title (for breed-worthiness)