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 SchH/IGP ASSOCIATION
Working Dog Competition Training Club
Established 1979
 
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DVG Schutzhund/IPO/IGP

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.

The Schutzhund test has changed over the years. Modern Schutzhund consists of three phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. A dog must pass all three phases in one trial to be awarded a schutzhund title. Each phase is judged on a 100-point scale. The minimum passing score is 70 for the tracking and obedience phases and 80 for the protection phase. At any time the judge may dismiss a dog for showing poor temperament, including fear or aggression.

 

Phase

Description

Tracking

The tracking phase tests not only the dog's scenting ability, but also its mental soundness and physical endurance. In the tracking phase, a track layer walks across a field, dropping several small articles along the way. After a period of time, the dog is directed to follow the track while being followed by the handler on a 33 foot leash. When the dog finds each article, he indicates it, usually by lying down with the article between his front paws. The dog is scored on how intently and carefully it follows the track and indicates the articles. The length, complexity, number of articles, and age of the track varies for each title.

Obedience

The obedience phase is done in a large field, with the dogs working in pairs. One dog is placed in a down position on the side of the field and its handler leaves it while the other dog works in the field. Then the dogs switch places. In the field, there are several heeling exercises, including heeling through a group of people. There are two or three gunshots during the heeling to test the dog's reaction to loud noises. There are one or two recalls, three retrieves (flat, jump and A-frame), and a send out, in which the dog is directed to run away from the handler straight and fast and then lie down on command. Obedience is judged on the dog's accuracy and attitude. The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that is uninterested or cowering scores poorly.

Protection

In the protection phase, the judge has an assistant, called the "helper", who helps him or her test the dog's courage to protect itself and its handler and its ability to be controlled while doing so. The helper wears a heavily padded sleeve on one arm. There are several blinds, placed where the helper can hide, on the field. The dog is directed to search the blinds for the helper. When it finds the helper, it indicates this by barking. The dog must guard the helper to prevent them from moving until recalled by the handler. There follows a series of exercises similar to police work where the handler searches the helper and transports them to the judge. At specified points, the helper either attacks the dog or the handler or attempts to escape. The dog must stop the attack or the escape by biting the padded sleeve. When the attack or escape stops, the dog is commanded to "out," or release the sleeve. The dog must out or it is dismissed. At all times the dog must show the courage to engage the helper and the temperament to obey the handler while in this high state of drive. Again, the dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that shows fear, lack of control, or inappropriate aggression is dismissed.

 

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article SCHUTZHUND.

 

What is DVG?


DVG stands for Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine, or the German Association of Working Dog Sport Clubs. DVG is the oldest and largest Schutzhund training organization in the world.  Begun in 1903, DVG was Germany's first police and service dog club and has now grown to nearly 30,000 members. DVG exists for only one purpose -- training and titling dogs of all kinds. In addition to Schutzhund and advanced tracking degrees, it offers obedience and tracking titles, providing competition opportunities for all people who love to train dogs, even the smallest of breeds.


DVG is made up of fourteen geographic regions (Landesverbands), thirteen of which are in Germany. The fourteenth is LV DVG America. The American Landesverband is divided into four local regions (Kreisgruppen), whose presidents sit on the LV Board. 


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.


This article uses material from the website LV DVG America 

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Document
IGP Rules (International Utility Dog Regulations)