AMERICAN SCHUTZHUND
American Schutzhund Mission Statement:
To restore and maintain Schutzhund as a relevant breed suitability test for working dogs in America. American Schutzhund will test the ability of the dog to withstand stress and continue to function in difficult situations. We will continue to evolve, always cognizant of the fact, that the balance among the three phases of the test is what makes it so difficult, yet so important. The entire premise of the test is to determine the best dogs suitable for law enforcement, the military and for serving the needs of humanity. With the information gained through the rigorous trials of scent work, obedience and protection work: police officers, individuals and organizations in disaster work, as well as our armed forces, will be able to choose canines suitable to execute the work of serving. Down the Road: Registration and Stud Books will be developed for individual breeds.
American Schutzhund believes that desirable working character is constructed of basic elements which rest on the physical and
psychological capabilities of the individual dog. American Schutzhund strongly believes, if we do not continue to pressure, stress, and test our working breeds, we will no longer have the working dogs we have today.
AS is determined to return Schutzhund back to a state of relevance by providing what we believe to be a more practical and rigorous test. Via testing that encompasses
environmental soundness, article searches, scent detection, obedience and protection, American Schutzhund will strive to test the temperament and genetics of each dog.
In order to participate in American Schutzhund, all dogs must first pass a dog aggression test. American Schutzhund is making an effort to weed out all dogs who display overt dog aggression.
After passing the dog aggression test, all dogs must attain a BT (Behavior/Temperament Test. ) The BT must be attained in order to advance forward and achieve titles and independent certifications.
The BT is a two part test. The first, an obedience test. This test includes a sound sensitivity test (gun shots) and is judged on a 45 point “Pass Fail” scale. This part will test the dog’s behavior, temperament and soundness in basic obedience with control led routines. The dog/handler team must pass Part 1 before they can continue to Part 2.
Part 2 of the BT, is an evaluation of the dog’s character, temperament and environmental soundness. This is a temperament/environment evaluation. Should the dog fail any or even all of these environment evaluations, the dog/handler team will still be permitted to advance forward and try for future AS titles and independent certifications. However, to assist breeders, the outcome of all six environment evaluations will be recorded in the dog’s scorebook and can not be repeated.
Environment Evaluations:
1. Footing/Slippery Surface
2. Movement in Tight Spaces
3. Standing on an Unstable Surface
4. Climbing
5. Hunt Drive
6. Suspicion and Recovery
Prerequisite:
Dog Aggression Test
Rule Book Reference:
Page 18
Trial Footage:
Behavioral / Temperament Test
(BT)
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 18-19
Pages 33-42
Pages 48-49
BT Part 1:
Behavioral Test
Obedience with Gun Shots
Trial Footage:
BT Part 2:
Temperament Test
Environment Evaluations
Trial Footage
Example 1:
Trial Footage
Example 2:
At the AS2 and the AS3 levels, Phase A will test the dog’s workability to locate and indicate specific odors with speed, accuracy and intensity. This phase will evaluate the dog/handler team’s proficiency in detecting the odor of Hodgdon Pyrodex RS.
This test reflects the ability of the dog team to find a black powder substitute (Hodgdon Pyrodex RS) and is a mode of evaluating the trainability of the team in a detection capacity as part of the three-phase test of American Schutzhund.
Hodgdon Pyrodex RS is a very common substitute for black power and is available in most hunting/sporting good outlets. It can be ordered online and shipped. Be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s safety guidelines regarding use and storage. It’s recommended to replace this odor every 12 months.
AS1 Phase A:
Article Search
Trial Footage:
AS2 Phase A:
Scent Detection
Trial Footage:
AS3 Phase A:
Scent Detection
Trial Footage:
In American Schutzhund, we look at the overall performance of the dog in each of the obedience exercises as well as the entire routine. Although, point deductions are listed, along with the overall points allotted, AS judges will first place a dog/handler team in an appropriate overall category. This is determined by the dog’s enthusiasm, focus, speed, power and the relationship to the handler, along with accuracy.
Throughout a routine, points may be deducted for mistakes, conversely, points are also rewarded when dog/handler teams demonstrate the characteristics AS deems important. The totality of the performance determines the overall score. American Schutzhund feels it’s important to reward dogs that demonstrate power, speed, attitude, focus and harmony with the handler. We do not want small technical errors to outweigh demonstrated character.
ATTITUDE, SPEED AND DRIVE WILL ALWAYS TRUMP EXACTNESS. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT PRECISION IS NOT REQUIRED, ONLY THAT CORRECTLY EXECUTED
EXERCISES WILL ONLY RECEIVE FULL POINTS
WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY SPEED, POWER AND OVERALL ATTITUDE
AS1 Phase B:
Obedience
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 33-49
Trial Footage:
AS2 Phase B:
Obedience
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 33-49
Trial Footage:
AS3 Phase B:
Obedience
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 33-49
Trial Footage:
Pending
The Phases of Protection Work -The protection work is divided into three (3) phases, under which the most variable temperament and drive attributes will be discussed.
Search and hold exercises (including guarding)
Engagement with the Helper(fighting, pressure, grip, transition)
Controllability of the dog (obedience, optimal handler-dog relationship)
In addition to a pointed score for the protection routine, every dog will be given a courage, hardness and fighting instinct rating. This evaluation serves the purpose of describing two general aspects of a dog’s character trait that are demonstrated throughout the Phase C exercises. The first, “courage”, describes the dog’s willingness to engage the Helper during the exercises. The second, “hardness”, describes the dog’s strength in its defense against the Helper’s attacks and pressure. The purpose of this rating is to more carefully show a dog’s breeding suitability and character traits.
It is the responsibility of the judge to observe overall attributes of the dog. The overall picture should be one of intensity and self-confidence. The dog must show dominance in the hold and guard phase. Only when a dog demonstrates these characteristics along with a sense of physical and psychological strength can a 10 be awarded.
AS1 Phase C:
Protection
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 50-60 & 61 – 65
Trial Footage:
AS2 Phase C:
Protection
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 50-60 & 66-72
Trial Footage:
AS3 Phase C:
Protection
Rule Book Reference:
Pages 50-60 & 73-81
Trial Footage:
COMPETITOR RESOURCES
AMERICAN SCHUTZHUND BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT TEST (BT):
Part 1
Part 2
- Slippery Surface
- Movement in Tight Spaces
- Standing on a Unstable Surface
- Climbing
- Hunt Drive
- Suspicion and Recovery
A.S. CLUB RESOURCES
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