ABOUT
The sport.
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WHAT IS IGP?
Formerly known as IPO/Schutzhund
Schutzhund was initially developed as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog over 100 years ago to identify dogs with the traits needed to be well rounded working dogs, with the first trial being held in 1901! Though the sport has changed names a few times over the years (Schutzhund to "IPO", and now "IGP" which stands for Internationale Gebrauchshund Pruefung), the goal of the sport is still to test the temperament and working performance of dogs.
Though it was initially established for the German Shepherd Dog, Schutzhund quickly expanded to the other German working breeds (Rottweiler, Doberman, Giant Schnauzer, and Boxer) to test their working ability and suitability for breeding. Today all working dogs, including mixed breeds, with the ability to do the work are able to trial and title in the sport. IGP is a sport that is trained and enjoyed by many individuals and their working dogs around the world, with the German Shepherd Dog and the Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) dominating the sport at the highest levels.
TRACKING
The dog must intently and accurately follow a footstep track of a person and successfully indicate on dropped articles, regardless of weather conditions. This phase is an excellent test of the dog's ability to discriminate and follow human scent, while demonstrating both mental and physical endurance in the process. Depending on the level and title the dog is competing in, the track length ranges from 300-1,800 paces, has between 2-7 corners, contains anywhere from 3-7 individual articles the dog must find, and is aged between 20 minutes to three hours before the dog runs the track!
OBEDIENCE
This is a little more in-depth than "shake a paw"...
Each title level has a set routine of exercises, worth a set number of points each, that the dog must successfully complete. The dog must listen to and follow the commands of the handler, while demonstrating both accuracy and intensity to gain the top points for each exercise. Some of the exercises include focused heeling (both on and off leash), retrieving a dumbbell on the flat and over obstacles such as a 1m hurdle and 6' scaling wall, positional exercises like sit/down/stand in motion, and a very dramatic "send away"! The dogs must be able to do all of this while ignoring distractions such as the sound of blank gun shots or strangers on the field.
PROTECTION
This is often the phase that many find the most exciting, due to the fact that the dogs must show courage and the ability to deal with a threat, but must also show self-restraint and the ability to follow commands from the handler while in a very high state of arousal. The dog is tasked with finding a hidden person (the "Helper") during a blind search, and then successfully holding the Helper in the blind via an impressive display of barking and pressure to prevent the Helper from leaving the blind. As the routine continues the dog must show the ability to discriminate between a threat and harmless bystanders, preventing the escape of the Helper through physical means (via biting and holding of a protective bite sleeve to stop the movement of the Helper) multiple times, and show self-control and the ability to listen to the handler and disengage when the Helper "gives up". This phase tests the character of the dog, and they must demonstrate the fortitude and restraint that we value in working dogs.
BREED SHOW
Working ability as tested in IGP is the cornerstone of the sport, but the German Shepherd Dog has an extensive history in the Show component as well! Bred not just for their workability, German Shepherd Dogs are held to very specific conformation standards which can be evaluated and scored by highly trained judges. The evaluation takes into account their structure, movement, dentition, and character. Due to the variety present in the breed in respect to coat type, there are several categories within the breed show to properly evaluate all dogs, and it is further broken down into set age groups.
Our youngest dogs, puppies under 12 months old, will be awarded ratings of Very Promising (VP), Promising (P), or Less Promising (LP). Once the dogs are a year old, and up to 24 months of age, they can now be given ratings of Very Good (SG), Good (G), Sufficient (A), and Insufficient or Unsatisfactory (U). After 24 months of age for dogs that have a working title (IGP or other recognized working degree) they can also achieve ratings of Excellent (V), and Excellent Select (VA), though the VA rating is only given out at the National Sieger Show.
ONTARIO REGION CLUBS
Though TOP WDC is hosting the 2024 Regionals this year, none of this would be possible without the network of our fellow Ontario GSSCC clubs
The German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada (GSSCC) is a member of the Weltunion der Vereine für Deutsche Schäferhunde (WUSV) and of the Canadian Working Dog Federation (CWDF)
THE TOP TEAM
If you need help, find one of these cheerful (or possibly stressed) faces and ask!
TOP WDC club members and their current working (or retired) dog(s)
ROBIN WINTER
Montana von Narnia
Kiowa von Narnia
SHANDRA DINSMORE
...
JACK DINSMORE
Ike de Lupus Saevus
SHOSHANA VERTON-SHAW
"Kinna" Kinetic von Narnia
Iron von Narnia
JIM HOOPER
Tanning Zuko
Carly
"Henry" Diesel Stihlous
MICHELLE HOOPER
Banshee von Narnia
Maddie
CHANEL SCHWARTZENTRUBER
"Quill" Caffeine von Narnia
JACQUELINE WOJTOWICH
Bentley von Narnia
ADAM WEATHERLEY
Yukon von Narnia
SKYLAR VANDER GULIK
"Ruger" Maverick Ruger von Narnia
ABIGAIL WINTER
Tess of Targa's Home
Lightning von Narnia
REBEKAH WINTER
"Spice" Hilda Neresnicka dolina
SUZANNA WINTER
Narnia's Hickory
MOÏRA GHAZAL
Kai von Narnia
STEVE ARISS
"Big Genny" Genesis Narnia von Tiefengrund
NATHAN JAMES
"Soba" Sobeska
CASSANDRA HESSE
Z Spartan von Narnia
BREYDEN HESSE
...
CHRIS BUDD
Diaz
"Enzo" Xanto von Wendelin III