IGP replaces IGP and Schutzhund as internationally recognized working dog terminology
IGP as acronym replaces both the older term IPO as well as Schutzhund
As used in the original German sense of the word, a Schutzhund dog refers to a “trained protection dog.” Schutzhund refers to a sport whose goal is developing dogs capable in thriving in three areas: obedience, tracking and protection. By a large measure, German Shepherd dogs make up the vast majority of dogs completing their Schutzhund exams. In recent years the term IGP has replaced both of the older terms, IPO as well as Schutzhund.
IGP is short for the German “International Gebrauchshund Prufung,” which translates into English as the “International Working Dog Test.) IGP stands in contrast to the earlier term, IPO (International Prufung Ordnund,) and the still older term Schutzhund.
While IGP is nearly exclusively a GSD sport, the sport has been expanded to include several additional working dog breeds; included, but not limited to the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweilers, and Belgian Malinois.
IGP is comprised of a three-part training program. Think of IGP as the ACT exam for protection dogs. In order to earn an IGP title, dogs must demonstrate proficiency in three area; these being, tracking, obedience and protection. Many law enforcement agencies would consider the protection work foundation of IGP as absolutely essential for police dogs and other law enforcement dogs.
In recent years, it has felt like terms have been changing at pace with how often one might buy a new pair of pants. Not so long ago, the United Schutzhund Clubs of America had only recently replaced the term “Schutzhund”, with the term “IPO,” while at the same time adopting a new set of guidelines. Yet, here we are, with yet another new term— that being IGP. Hopefully this term will have legs and will stick longer than these other terms.
Like IGP, IPO is an abbreviation, standing for the German “Internationale Prüfungs Ordnung.” Translated into English this phrase mean “International Trial Rules”. These rules were established by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). IPO was the international standard, now replaced by IGP
The term Schutzhund is a German phrase roughly translating as “protection dog”. Globally accepted as the prototypical protection dog, authentic working line German Shepherds not only make great trained protection dogs, they also tend to love children and make good family protection dogs. Here at Czech Working Line, we have actively chosen our foundation stock from some of the world’s top scoring IGP titled bloodline. We are confident you will fall in love with our dogs!
IGP as a sport (Schutzhund/IPO) came not being as a series of exams developed for the purpose of testing working dogs. These exams were intended to prove a dog’s ability to prove capacity in high level obedience, tracking and protection work. These tests were first established in the early 20th century and continue to this current time.
With the advent of the industrial revolution replacing the European agricultural foundation, many dog breeders feared the working dog’s value would become a thing of the past.
While modern conformation shows did produce a uniform type and structure for the breed, they did little to identify specific dogs with the drive and temperament capable of thriving in high level obedience, tracking and protection work. Schutzhund exams have over time evolved with the goal of producing better and better protection dogs.
The conformation show served to establish uniform physical structure and type, but did little to identify those dogs with strong drives, tracking ability, or the kind of strong nerves required for protection work. The working exams evolved over time into the current day IGP tests and go a long way towards proving a dog’s ability as a modern day protection and working dog.
IGP as in IPO before it is comprised of three levels. In this dog sport, IGP progresses through three levels. Each level increases the challenge required to complete the exam. These stages are referred to as IGP 1, IGP 2, and IGP 3, with level one having the least difficulty and level three the most difficult. Within each level, dogs are required to pass three distinct phases, these being obedience, tracking and protection work. Dogs must pass all three components in order to earn an IGP title on any of these three levels.
Tracking: this phase demonstrates the development of the dog’s natural tracking ability. It further proves its capacity and willingness to work with its handler.
Obedience: this phase evaluates the dog’s responsiveness to specific commands given in a defined series of situations.
Protection: the final phase of IGP. In this spectacular phase, the dog’s courage, drive, and ability to protect under pressure is evaluated. In this final phase the dog must be able to both hold a person in a corner and bite on command. Just as important as the bite or attack on command is the release.
Because the dog must prove itself across all three categories, the path to earning an IGP 3 title can be a months to years long process. Most often it takes years. Preparing for these exams typically requires hundreds of hours of extensive training. Both the financial and time cost to prepare the dog for such exams can be quite the undertaking.
Not only does it require substantial time and money, but many dogs even when produced from working lines will not be able to achieve success in passing these exams. In most cases, relatively few dogs will achieve an IGP title, especially the second and third levels of IGP. If you have been searching for working line German Shepherd puppies for sale, let us know. While we are not commercial breeders and produce a limited number of litters a year, the German Shepherd puppies for sale we do offer are of exceptional quality.