Welcome to the West Coast GSSC
The West Coast German Shepherd Schutzhund Club is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in training and competing in the sport of schutzhund.
Schutzhund is a dog sport that focuses on developing and evaluating the legendary traits in German Shepherds. The development of these traits makes them the trustworthiest dogs to the community and owner. The purpose of Schutzhund is to demonstrate and test the dogs' intelligence and utility. It also measures and ensures the dogs' mental stability, endurance, physical structure, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage and trainability.
Members from the West Coast Club have placed first in the Canadian German Shepherd Dog Championships 8 times, and have been chosen to represent Canada at the WUSV World Championships 28 times.
What We Do | Club Record | Members | German Shepherd Breed
In January 2012, West Coast GSSC President Lance Collins and Club
Secretary Jane Holowaty presented the Vancouver Police Dog Squad a
cheque for $1500.00 earmarked for protective K9 quipment. We would like
to thank our sponsors Northwest Tank Lines and Ralph and Shelley Gilby of
Dogsport Gear
for their ongoing support, making this and future charitable acts
possible. Our club has worked hard for this to happen and thanks to
everyone who has supported us!
What Is Schutzhund?
Schutzhund training has three parts: Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. The Tracking portion tests a dog'strainability, ability to follow a scent, and mental and physical endurance. In the Obedience portion, dogs perform a variety of exercises such as heeling, sitting, retrieving, and remaining steady during distractions. The Protection portion tests the dog's courage, strength, and obedience by requiring the dog to find a hidden person and defend its owner against a decoy aggressor. Schutzhund training and trials take place around the world. Schutzhund dogs are excellent candidates for canine law enforcement and search and rescue work. Although Schutzhund training is for all breeds, German Shepherd Dogs particularly excel due to their intelligence, their bravery, and their desire to please their masters.
Work Week
Annual Invitational event for 5 days of intense training for top handlers from Canada, USA, Europe,and Australia.
Club Members
Club members from the West Coast GSSC have an impressive record: Among other impressive performances, we've placed first in the Canadian German Shepherd Dog Championships 8 times, and have been chosen to represent Canada at the WUSV World Championships 28 times.