Schutzhund is dog sport designed to test the temperament, drive, and working instinct of the German Shepherd dog. While Schutzhund means "protection dog", protection is only one phase of SchH and the sport alone is not considered sufficient for training a personal protection or police dog. The other two phases are obedience and tracking. There are three levels that each include these three phases. When a dog has earned the required points in each phase at a single trial, it is awarded the title for that level and goes on to the next level. Before a dog can begin trialing at the first level, it must pass the BH. The BH test involves obedience commands, long heeling patterns, and testing the dog's confidence and focus during traffic exercises such as heeling through a crowd and near objects like cars and bicycles. Dogs can also earn the AD, which is an endurance test where the dog must trot alongside the handler's bicycle for 12 miles and then perform a short obedience test.

Despite common misconceptions, SchH is not about training "attack" dogs or encouraging aggressive responses from dogs that are really fearful or reactive. The foundation for bite work is usually built by controlled tug games. SchH is about developing a dog's drives and maintaining the German Shepherd dog's solid temperament, useful tracking abilities, and inherent working instincts. Many SchH dogs are family pets, show dogs, therapy dogs, and compete in other sports like agility and AKC obedience.