Swedish working dog trials: (under construction)

Tracking dog trials:

In Sweden there are four degrees of tracking dog trials. All of them consisting of obedience and tracking.

The beginners class is called “Appellklass” and there the dog must search for three lost objects on a track 300 meters long and 20 minutes old. The obedience part includes for example heeling, retrieving, jumping and down stay in group for 3 minutes.

Class number two is called Lower-class and there the dog must search for eight lost objects on a track 1000 meters long and 60 minutes old. The dog must also pick up the track by itself in a square 30x20 m. The obedience part is basically the same as in beginners class added with some more difficulties to the exercises and with crawling and down stay in group for 5 minutes with shots fired every minute. A dog that has received the passing score is given the degree SPH I.

Class number three is called Higher-class and there the dog must search for eight lost objects on a track 1200 meters long and 75 minutes old. The dogs must also pick up the track by itself in a square 30x30 m. Furthermore the dog must search for and retrieve four lost objects in a square 50x50 m in maximum 5 minutes. The obedience part is basically the same as Lower-class added with some more difficulties to the exercises and with retrieving a 4 kg dumbbell, barking on command, walking 8-15 m in front of handler through a group of four people. A dog that has received the passing score is given the degree SPH II.

The highest class is called Elite-class and there the dog must search for eight lost objects on a track 1500 meters long and 90 minutes old. The dogs must also pick up the track by itself in a square 30x40 m. Furthermore the dog must search for and retrieve four lost objects in a square 50x50 m in maximum 5 minutes. The obedience part is basically the same as Higher-class added with some more difficulties to the exercises and with retrieving a metal dumbbell and climbing up and down a ladder. A dog that has received the passing score is given the degree SPH III.

Protection dog trials:

In Sweden there are three degrees of protection dog trials. All of them consisting of obedience, tracking and protection work. To be able to start in protection dog trials the dog must have received the passing score in beginners class, “Appellklass”, in for example tracking.

Protection dog class number one is called Lower-class and there the dog must guard a Decoy under transport for 75 m. The transport is ended with the Decoy attacking the handler. After the transport the Decoy is to break away and run and the dog has to stop and guard him.

For these first two exercises the dog is wearing a muzzle and the Decoy is unprotected. Included is also guarding a suspect wearing a bite sleeve and twice stop him from escaping. Every time the dog has to stop his aggression without command as soon as the Decoy stands still. Furthermore the dog must search for three lost objects on a track 500 meters long and 40 minutes old. The obedience part is the same as in Lower-class tracking. A dog that has received the passing score is given the degree SKH I.

Protection dog class number two is called Higher-class and starts with the same transport and escape attempt as Lower-class. Then another transport where a second Decoy is attacking the handler from behind. The dog, wearing a muzzle, must protect his handler. Thereafter comes a transport where the Decoy is wearing a bite sleeve. This transport is also ending with an attack on the handler. In the last exercise the Decoy attempts to flee and when he has run 30 m the handler sends his dog after him. When the dog is 15 m behind the fleeing Decoy he turns around and attacks the dog with a raised stick. Every time the dog has to stop his aggression without command as soon as the Decoy stands still. Furthermore the dog must search for three lost objects on a track 500 meters long and 40 minutes old. As in Higher-class tracking the dog also must search for and retrieve four lost objects in a square 50x50 m in maximum 5 minutes.  The obedience part is the same as in Higher-class tracking. A dog that has received the passing score is given the degree SKH II.

The highest class is called Elite-class and starts with basically the same exercises as Higher-class. Added are guarding a suspect and stopping him from escaping both wearing a muzzle and without. Also added is an exercise where the Decoy, while fleeing, fires a shot at the attacking dog. Furthermore the dog, wearing a muzzle, must search for and find two suspects hidden in a square, 100x150 m of various terrain, in a maximum time of 10 minutes. Also the dog must search for four lost objects on a track 600 meters long and 50 minutes old. As in Elite-class tracking the dog also must search for and retrieve four lost objects in a square 50x50 m in maximum 5 minutes.  The obedience part is the same as in Elite-class tracking. A dog that has received the passing score is given the degree SKH III.

Korad means that a dog has passed the Swedish "körung".

RETURN