Not really...the Begleithunde examination (BH) is the Street Traffic/Companion Dog certification given by USA and DVG. Believe me, it is not as hard as that big word makes it sound. I would describe it as sort of a combination of the AKC Companion Dog title and the CGC temperment test.
The Street traffic/Companion dog certificate(BH) is the first level and must be earned before a dog/handler team may compete for any other titles (including tracking).
The second level is the Schutzhund 1(SchH1) or the Obedience 1(Ob1)
The third level is the Schutzhund 2 (SchH2) or the Obedience 2 (Ob2)
and the fourth is the Schutzhund 3 (SchH3) or the Obedience 3 (Ob3)
Please note: It is no longer necessary to compete in all three phases of Schutzhund to earn a title...both USA and DVG now offer separate titles for just obedience and/or tracking.
Handler/dog teams work in pairs...One team performs their Down under distraction, while the other team works through the Heeling exercises on the field. The heel on lead exercise follows the basic heeling pattern (diagram shown below) followed by a figure 8 in the group. After the handler dog team finishes the figure 8 the team leaves the group and the handler removes the leash from the dog. The Heel off lead exercise starts by the team repeating the figure 8 in the group...then the team returns to the starting point and repeats the basic heeling pattern off lead (two gun shots will be fired). When the Handler and dog have finished the heeling pattern they return to the starting position for the out of motion exercises. The walking sit...the team returns to the start, then heels out 10 paces and the handler commands the dog to sit while the handler keeps walking 30 more paces. The handler turns to face dog and returns to the dog upon a signal from the judge.
The Walking down with recall is the same as the walking sit except handler commands dog to down, continues 30 paces, then recalls the dog upon a signal from the judge.
