IGP (Schutzhund and IPO) - French's German Shepherds

"The breeding of Shepherd Dogs is the breeding of working dogs; and this must always be the aim, or we shall cease to produce Shepherd Dogs." and "Take this trouble for me... Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed

What is Schutzhund and IGP/IPO?

Schutzhund is a German word meaning “protection dog.” The Schutzhund Competition Sport's intent is often misunderstood. It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating the traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners. The sport of IGP “International Gebrauchshund Prufung” (International Working Dog Test) No longer know longer known as IPO –“International Prufung Ordnund” and formerly known as Schutzhund, IGP can now include many non-German Shepherd Breeds. Both are a three-part training and sport that includes Tracking, Obedience and Protection. The Schutzhund standards for the third part, protection work, are similar to those for dogs in police work. There are several working dog clubs in our area. For more information, Read More....

History
In 1899 a young German Cavalry Captain, Max von Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany. Almost single-handedly Stephanitz built the German Shepherd Breed. He presided over the Club known as the SV, began the Stud Book, and wrote the Breed Standard. Stephanitz also formalized contests and competitions. He appointed the judges who would select the most worthy competitors from these training contests that has become the sport we know as Schutzhund. The SV prospered for 36 years under his absolute control, and today is the largest and most influential breed organization in the world. He also put in place a system of strict controls to guide the breeding of the German Shepherd Dog.

The first Schutzhund-type trial was organized in 1963 in California. This first trial was not sanctioned and did not include tracking. Now Schutzhund is firmly established in the United States because these working dogs are used by Law Enforcement, Military, Search and Rescue (SAR), Homeland Security (TSA), Personal and Home Protection and by many other public and private organizations and businesses, in addition to hobbyists, sports enthusiasts, and families who want a dependable protector, watchdog and family pet.

VA2 Nino Von Tronje

In today’s modern format, there is virtually no difference between IGP, Schutzhund and IPO. Both were developed for the same purpose. IGP is the International standard, and at one time had a different set of rules as determined by the governing body of FCI. Following rule changes in 2004, where the SV (via the VDH, all breed Kennel Club of Germany) began conforming to FCI rules for Schutzhund, the standards are virtually the same.

German Shepherds seem to dominate many of the Schutzhund shows although a wider variety of breeds can participate and often do in IGP shows. Any breed can technically be trained in Schutzhund work, but as any trainer knows, not all individual dogs and not all dog breeds are suitable for this work. It truly is a test of a dog and requires a high level of ability in several areas.

The public often has a misconception about what this type of training is. They often see photos of dogs doing bite work and see an aggressive and potentially dangerous animal. What they don’t know is how well controlled these dogs must be. As opposed to some police dogs and personal protection dogs that don’t require quite as much provocation, Schutzhund dogs are required to be tightly trained and as a general rule are quite safe in the public.

Rules and Regulations
Among the SV's regulations, a basic requirement is controlled breeding and worthiness of parents. A German Shepherd Dog cannot receive official Registration Papers unless both of its parent have passed a Schutzhund trial. Unless a dog passes the Schutzhund examination, it cannot be exhibited in Conformation Shows, and is not eligible for the coveted V rating (Vorzüglich - Excellent Show or Performance Rating), may not compete for the title of Sieger or Siegeren (1st Place Champion Male or Female of a National Show), nor will it be recommended for breeding by a Körmeister (Breed Survey Master).

A registered German Shepherd Dog that has earned a Schutzhund title has demonstrated sufficient ability as a working dog to qualify for breed evaluation. The breed evaluation is an in-depth examination of the dog's structure, temperament and pedigree, which requires both a certification of good hip joints and sufficient performance on an endurance test (the AD). Dogs that do well in the breed evaluation receive a Köerklasse I (Kkl 1 - recommended for breeding) or Köerklasse II (Kkl 2 - suitable for breeding). This is a recommendation and evaluation by a trained and acknowledged "Breed Warden" judge who is qualified to certify the worthiness of the dog for breeding. Through its commitment to Schutzhund and uncompromising insistence on strictly controlled breeding, the SV produces the best German Shepherd Dogs in the World!

With this method, the process of choosing the select parents, both certified for breeding (KKLI/KKLII), will help to maintain or improve the quality of the breed at a top world-class level. The German shepherd puppies born to Schutzhund dams and sired by Schutzhund dogs are more likely to have sound temperament, high intelligence. When the breed survey is ranked and certified as Köerklasse1 (Kkl 1) or Köerklasse 2 (Kkl 2). This rating should assure buyers of the highest quality breedings, and that the owner of a dog with this certification has expended effort, training and expense, and great dedication to make sure they are worthy and suitable for breeding. Read more about German Titles and Ratings, and GSDCA Schutzhund Rules and Regulations.

The Sport of Schutzhund With Nocturne's Navigator

Working Dog Sport - German Shepherd Dog Club of America

GSDCA Working Dog - GSD Events Online

United Schutzhund Club of America

World Union of German Shepherd Associations (WUSV)

Tracking:
At all levels, track is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as dirt or grass. For IGP 1 and FRr 1 titles, the track is laid by the handler. For IGP 2 or 3, FPr 2 or 3 and higher level tracking titles, the track is laid by a stranger. The track includes a number of turns and a number of small, man made objects left by this person on the track itself. At the end of a 10 meter leash, the handler follows the dog, which is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of the objects, usually by lying down with it between its front paws. The tracking phase is intended to test the dog’s trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance.

Obedience:
The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of which are closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling, there is a gun shot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to such sharp noises. There is also a series of field exercises in which the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the handler. With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions, at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog’s temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very importantly, its willingness to serve its owner.

Protection:
The protection phase tests the dog’s courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler’s control of the dog is absolutely essential. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a decoy), and guarding that decoy while the handler approaches. The dog is expected to pursue the decoy when an escape is attempted and to hold the grip firmly. The decoy is transported to the judge with the handler and dog walking behind and later at the decoy’s right side. When the decoy attempts to attack the handler, the dog is expected to stop the attack with a firm grip and no hesitation. The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place by the dog’s handler from the opposite end of the trial field. The dog is sent after the decoy who is threatening the dog with a stick and charging at the handler. All grips during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the decoy discontinues the fight. The protection tests are intended to assure that the dog possesses the proper temperament for breeding. Read More...

Tito Vom Finkenschlag IPO 3

The IGP Titles:
The BH or companion dog title is a pre-requirement for IGP titles. All breeds and sizes are eligible with the minimum age requirements of 15 months. There are three levels of the IGP test: IGP 1, IGP 2, IGP 3. In addition to the IGP titles listed above, the United Schutzhund Clubs of America offers several other training degrees: the STPr, FH 1, FH 2, and IGP-FH tracking degrees; the AD which is an 12.5 mile endurance test (one of the requirements for the Breed Survey); separate obedience, protection and tracking titles that reflect the routines for IGP 1, 2, & 3 levels; and RH titles.

IGP 1
For IGP 1 the dog must be at least 18 months old and pass an initial temperament test by the judge. In tracking, it must be able to follow a track laid by its handler at least 20 minutes earlier. In obedience, the dog must heel off leash, demonstrate the walking sit, the walking down, and the long down under distraction, as well as the send-out. It must retrieve on the flat and over a hurdle, and over the scaling wall. In the protection phase, the dog must search 2 blinds, perform escape and courage test exercises, and demonstrate a side transport.
IGP 2
For IGP 2 the dog must be at least 19 months old and must already have earned its IGP 1 degree. In tracking, the IGP 2 candidate must be able to follow a track laid by a stranger at least 30 minutes earlier. It must again pass all of the obedience and protection tests required for the IGP 1 degree, but those tests, for IGP 2, are made more difficult and require greater endurance, agility, and, above all, control. There is an additional walking stand exercise required in obedience. In protection, the dog must search 4 blinds and demonstrate a back transport of the decoy in addition to the IGP exercises.
IGP 3
For IGP 3, the dog must be at least 20 months old and must have earned both the IGP 1 and the IGP 2 titles. Again, the tests now are made far more difficult. The track has four turns, compared with two turns for IGP 1 and 2, and there are three objects, rather than two, that must be found by the dog. The track must be laid by a stranger and be at least 60 minutes old. All exercises in obedience and protection are demonstrated off leash. The walking stand is replaced by the running stand. The picture of obedience, strength, eagerness, and confidence presented by an excellent IGP 3 team is a beautiful illustration of the partnership of human and dog.