When it comes to Schutzhund training, choosing the right puppy is a crucial step. You have to find a dog well-suited for this sport that fits your lifestyle. Then, you will need to raise your pup properly to prepare him for the BH Test and IGP trials.
Without the right partner, you won’t go very far in Schutzhund. Regardless of how much you train a puppy and how hard you try to improve his skills, some dogs are just not appropriate for this sport. So please do yourself the favor of selecting the right pup!
How To Choose A Puppy For Schutzhund Training?
In general, it’s better to opt for a puppy from working lines that has parents with Schutzhund titles. Selecting a good and reputable breeder will also help you find the right partner for this dog sport. In Schutzhund, you should look for a puppy that’s energetic, athletic, confident, social, and has a high drive.
Now let’s break this decision-making process into three parts: Breeder, Parents & Puppy. Those are all elements you should consider to make sure you choose the right dog for Schutzhund training. One is not more important than another because they all work together.
Pick A Breeder You Can Trust!
The first step is to find a reputable and reliable breeder that will help you choose the right puppy for Schutzhund. You should look for a breeder with experience in this dog sport, especially if you’re a beginner. Ideally, he will already have trained and titled dogs in IGP.
Otherwise, how could he know what makes a good Schutzhund prospect and how to raise puppies for this purpose? So make sure the breeder you choose knows what he’s doing. It might take a lot of research and time to find the right one, but it’s necessary.
If you’re not sure where to start with your research, you can ask handlers that have been through the same process. Visiting a local Schutzhund club and talking with members will allow you to learn a lot. They might even recommend good breeders for you to consider.
Should You Let Your Breeder Choose A Puppy For You?
In general, good breeders will often select a pup for you instead of letting you choose. It’s normal because they probably know more about their dogs than you do. So as long as you explain your situation well and the breeder is trustworthy, I’m sure you will end up with the right Schutzhund puppy by your side.
However, it’s still interesting to understand what makes a good prospect for this dog sport. It will allow you to validate the choice of your breeder and understand what type of companion your puppy is. Then, it should be easier to find good breeders if you know what to look for in young Schutzhund dogs.
Analyze The Puppy’s Parents!
Once you have found one or a few breeders you can trust, it’s time to look at the dogs they have. The puppy’s parents might be the best way to know how good of a Schutzhund partner he can be. So the pedigree is an element you should consider.
Dogs from working lines with IGP titles usually provide the best candidates for Schutzhund. If the parents are well-suited for this dog sport, their puppies are very likely to be too. You can also look at older generations to ensure your pup comes from excellent bloodlines.
The parents of a good Schutzhund prospect should have what it takes to develop obedience, tracking, and protection skills. It doesn’t only include good health and physical structure but also a proper temperament. Confidence, stability, drive, and work ethic are traits to look for in your Schutzhund puppy’s parents.
It’s essential to consider both the mother and father. However, the mother will probably have more influence on his puppies because she’s the one that will raise them during their first weeks of life. So you should take a closer look at the female parent.
Things To Look For In A Schutzhund Puppy!
When it comes to young puppies, they can all look the same. That’s why choosing the right breeder and analyzing the dog’s pedigree are crucial steps. However, there are ways to know whether or not a puppy will be a good prospect for Schutzhund training.
The first things you should look for are drive and energy. A puppy should be active and playful to make a good partner for IGP in the future. If the dog enjoys chasing balls, playing with toys, and engaging with people at a young age, he’s more likely to be suitable for Schutzhund later on.
For the temperament, you should look for a puppy that’s confident, adventurous, and relatively independent. A good Schutzhund prospect will also show protectiveness without being aggressive. Stability and work ethic are two essential traits for dogs to do IGP, but you can’t really tell with a young pup.
On the other hand, you should avoid shy and nervous puppies. Those traits won’t make good, reliable, and confident working dogs. So you should take a close look at the pups’ temperament to choose one that’s well-suited for Schutzhund.
It’s also essential to analyze the dog’s physical condition. A puppy must be healthy and have a good structure (hips and elbows) to do protection work. Having a solid bite grip and being comfortable with loud sounds are other traits that will make a good Schutzhund prospect.
Choosing the right dog breed can also help increase your chances of success. So here’s more information about the best Schutzhund dog breeds!
Male VS Female Puppy For Schutzhund
Gender is another choice you have to make. Whether you select a male or female puppy won’t make much difference because each dog is unique. However, males and females generally have some traits more specific to their gender. Thus, one might be better for IGP and your needs.
Choosing between a male and female puppy for Schutzhund will mainly come down to preferences. Females are generally soft, sensitive, and think a lot. On the other hand, males tend to be more reliable, bigger, and stronger than bitches. So choose the gender you prefer the most or fits your goals and lifestyle.
What About Shipping A Puppy For Schutzhund?
If you don’t have a lot of breeders in your area, you might consider shipping a puppy. That means you won’t have the possibility to see and analyze the dog beforehand. But with a reputable breeder you can trust, receiving a Schutzhund puppy with a good pedigree via shipping shouldn’t be an issue.
How Much Does A Good Schutzhund Prospect Cost?
Before making such an investment, you should know how much it will cost. Schutzhund puppies from reputable breeders can be very expensive. In general, you should expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a good working dog. The price of a puppy will vary according to the breed, breeder, pedigree, etc.
Find The Right Puppy For You!
You shouldn’t only be looking for a Schutzhund partner. The puppy you will choose also has to fit your lifestyle. Training your dog for IGP is probably not the only thing you will do together. So make sure to consider your other needs and select a good companion outside of the training field.
Last Thoughts About Choosing The Right Schutzhund Puppy!
Finally, finding a puppy that can do well in IGP is quite simple. You have to select a good breeder, consider the pedigree, and look at the dog itself. As long as all those three factors are favorable to Schutzhund training, you almost certain to have a good prospect for this canine sport.
Then, you also need to make sure the puppy you choose will be a good companion outside of training. So now it’s time to start searching for the perfect Schutzhund and life partner. With all the information in this article, I’m sure you will find the right dog for you.
Let’s Get That Schutzhund Puppy!