Schutzhund (German for "protection dog") is a dog sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog.
The test would determine if the dog displayed the appropriate traits and characteristics of a proper working German Shepherd Dog. Today, it is used as a sport where many breeds other than German Shepherd Dogs can compete, but it is a demanding test for any dog that few can pass.
There are three Schutzhund titles: Schutzhund 1 (SchH1), Schutzhund 2 (SchH2), and Schutzhund 3 (SchH3). SchH1 is the first title and SchH3 is the most advanced.
Additionally, before a dog can compete for a SchH1, it must pass a temperament test called a B or BH (Begleithundprüfung, which translates as "traffic-sure companion dog test"). The BH tests basic obedience and sureness around strange people, strange dogs, traffic, and loud noises. A dog that exhibits excessive fear, distractibility, or aggression cannot pass the B and so cannot go on to compete in higher levels of Schutzhund.
In 2004, both the German Deutscher Hundesportverein (DHV) and the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) made substantial changes to Schutzhund rules and adopted the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) rules that govern the sport titles. The DHV changed the name of the titles from "SchH" (Schutzhund) to "VPG" (Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde) Versatility Examination for Working Dogs. The SV has retained the "SchH" title.
In 2012, the German Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) in Germany changed the “SchH” (Schutzhund) title to “IPO” (International Prüfung Ordnund) International Working Tests.
In 2019, the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) changed the name “IPO” (International Prüfung Ordnund) International Working Tests to “IGP” (Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungsordnung) International Working Dog Test.