I am a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs Inc. I was recently contacted by gentleman who wanted to certify his GSD, on the phone he informed me that his dog was highly trained in Schutzhund. I think he said Schutzhund II.

When he showed up for the initial test, I was suprised to see a brindle short coated dog with a tail that wanted to curl over the back and one blue eye. It would have been very hard with even a fuzzy photograph to apply for an ILP number with this dog as a GSD.

Furthermore, the dog was spooky. It executed commands, but its demeanor was almost autistic. It let me handle its paws and tail etc., but it just didn't have a normal response. I'm suspicious that its been electronically zapped into being a robot.

Technically, the folks at TDI are the ones that ultimately certify a dog or not. This dog technically passed his initial test and is now supposed to have 3 supervised visits at different facilities. But nothing about this dog feels right and I have a long history with dogs...

Can a mixed breed compete in Schutzhund? How would I check on this? I could really use something concrete to work with here.

For what its worth, my chow cross who I use to test for dog aggression had a strange reaction to them.

Molly McLaughlin

Yes- it is possible for a mixed breed to compete in the sport. Since SchH is not affiliated with AKC they don't even need an ILP number. Even with an ILP the dog would be listed on trial results as a "mix" without registration- even if the dog WAS blatantly a purebred dog.

Although Schutzhund was created as a breed qualification test for German Shepherds, any dog can participate.

A brief description of Schutzhund ...
http://www.germandogs.com/Schutzhund.htm

http://www.dvgamerica.com/dvghist.html

Although Schutzhund was created as a breed qualification test for German Shepherds, any dog can participate.

A brief description of Schutzhund ...
http://www.germandogs.com/Schutzhund.htm

http://www.dvgamerica.com/dvghist.html

FAQ RE: Mixed Breeds

Thanks for the information.

I guess the whole thing just feels hinky. I was under the impression that Schutzhund training encourages enthusiasm. This dog was grudging at best. He never looked at his owner or me even when I was handling him. When he was heeling he leaned away from his owner. The only thing that remotely seemed to interest him was my dog. By interest I mean he seemed to watch her some and he lifted his lip if she came too close.

Do official papers of any sort get issued with a Schutzhund title? My thinking is that something isn't right. If I can pinpoint what isn't right I can document a fact a along with my impressions. Therapy Dog work can cover a suprising number of difficult situations. I would feel really uncomfortable certifying a dog that I would hesitate to have around my child.

Molly McLaughlin

Molly,

SchH training should promote the natural drives of the dog and create an image of enthusiasm, but that doesn't always happen. There are as many training methods and philosophies within SchH as there are in any other manner of dog training, some good - some not so good.

If the dog is SchH titled he should have a scorebook from the DVG or USA. If he was titled overseas it could be from other orgs, but he should still have a scorebook. The scorebook should list the breed, registry & registration number, and tattoo number.

Sounds like a Dutch Shepherd or Dutch Shepherd mix. If you're certifying the dog and are not comfortable with the dog doing the intended job, don't pass him, at least not without additional testing. You'd better be able to pin down his shortcomings though. It sounds as though he tolerates the exercises you put him through, as opposed to being responsive and/or easy-going.
Get some other evaluators to check him out, then share you're opinion with them after their eval.

John

Thanks John:

That is excellent advice. I sometimes forget that there are other evaluators around. I'm in kind of an isolated area.

And I'll ask about the scorebook.

Molly McLaughlin

Maybe it's my professionally induced paranioa rising to the surface again; I'm gonna say that if it seems "hinked up" it is. Listen to the hairs on the back of your neck, they are never wrong.

I was under the impression that Schutzhund training encourages enthusiasm.

The best does. I remember vividly attending a seminar given by Heinz Balonier, where he kept shouting freudische, freudische! at the people he was training who didn't give their dog enough praise. Joyfully, joyfully; the dog should work joyfully!

But aside from that, Gordon's advice is very, very good. Listen to what your subconscious is telling you. Something is very wrong.

Just to second, follow your gut instinct. I know of at least one local wolf-whatzit breed who shows up all over the place trying desparately to "verify" her "breeding program" by titling her "dogs" at anything.

Her (loosely) nice wolf-niks are obedient in a robotic, detatched, way.

When I think about my old Jess (oes-gsd) visiting the head injury ward and loving up every strange-moving, strange-voiced, agitated person who wanted to touch (thump) him and then imagine the dog you describe, I get geese on my grave