The last weeks of the training it’s all much easier, 7- 9 km are not so impressive to me anymore. I keep my own speed so I could do this test in the time limit. We are a nice team, my boss and me.

On the day of the test the weather is nice for me to run, it’s raining and there is a strong wind, not too warm and not too cold. (You can see a video of the test in the video link) Strange that there are only German Shepherd dogs in this test. Normally I hate these dogs, but I have to behave or else the whole training was for nothing and the judge would let me fail the test. On the other hand, they have my respect also for doing this test. Respect, you don’t see that much in the dog world anymore. The GSD has more speed than me, but it’s not who finishes first, but to do the test in the time limit. We all passed the test, and the obedience test after wasn’t too hard. So it took us 10 weeks of training and 10 euro for participating in the test and I did something where I had to use my strength, drive and endurance. And I don’t feel bored and sleepy this time. What’s actually the use of this test?

This is from the Schutzhund book;

  "The endurance test shall provide evidence that the dog is able to perform physical exertion of a certain degree without afterwards manifesting substantial symptoms of fatigue. The required strain on the physical condition of the dog can only come from running exercises. This we know places increased demands on the inner organs, especially the heart and the lungs and likewise on the organs of movements themselves. It also tests other characteristics, such as vitality and toughness. The ability to endure must be regarded as evidence of physical health and the presence of desired characteristics.

Successful demonstration of this test will provide proof that the desired characteristics are present in a healthy body. Both sets of characteristics are prerequisites for a useful breeding program."

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