What would you think of a golden trained for scutzhund?

Question

one of my Golden's just completed his schutzhund training. do you think schutzhund should only be limited to rotties, dobes and such? im not trying to compete for this or anything, its just that our neighborhood has been getting progressively worse over the years and with all these hoodlums running around its good to know that you can have some sort of protection. but what do you think? is this bad or not?

Answer 1

Although I have seen Goldens train in Sch and I have even trained a neighbors Golden bite the sleeve, I think you are being disillusioned if you think that you Golden retriever will protect you in a real life encounter.

If you had stopped at the Sch question, I may have had nothing to say, but, the reality of the situation is that Sch is a SPORT, just a SPORT, not real life.

Sch trained dogs do not bite in defense of their handlers or homes, they bite the big sleeve on the big green open field as a game, that is it.

Please, do not rely on a dog that was bred to retrieve game for real life protection. Good luck!

ADD: What an amazing dog you have...his tracking scores blew away everything that has ever competed before, he got 174 points out of a possible 100.WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

His protection and "searching" as well as his barking may have been a little less desirable, but, WOW!!!!

Answer 2

Wow, that is great!! I have never seen a Golden in Schutzhund because they usually do not have the temperament for it but it is possible. What were your dog's scores in the three different test?

I think Schutzhund is limited to the dogs that have the temperament for the training and not even all the dogs that belong to the breeds you mention have it.

I think that a dog trained in schutzhund will not be any good for protection because schutzhund is a sport, when the sleeve is gone the game ends. If you are looking for a protection trained dog, schutzhund training is NOT what you need. There is nothing wrong with a dog trained for protection, however you are confusing a sport for real protection training.

Answer 3

I don't believe that any sort of training should be limited to certain breeds. The only requirement I have for training, with the exception being obedience, is that the dog enjoy itself.

So if your golden enjoyed that training, then why not. Good job.

Answer 4

I think it's a neat idea.  I saw a schutzhund class years ago practicing, and there was a dashund in the class!  

Although I can't say I support using dogs for protection, getting professionally trained in schutzhund is the only way one should do it.

Answer 5

One of the best schutzhund dogs I have ever seen was a rough collie.

If the dog has the drive and temperament for the work - I say go for it.