Schutzhund- IPO
Deutsch Schäferhund
IPO (Internationale Prüfungsordnung /
International trial rules) is new name for Schutzhund or International
Examination Regulations.
What is IPO?
IPO= Schutzhund. Due to political
reasons, Germany no longer calls protection sport "Schutzhund" and
since it originated in Germany, the rest of the world followed suit.
What does IPO stand for?
Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung.
Translation means: International
auditing rules or International Exam Rules.
schutzhund is a German word meaning
“protection dog".
Now... The Sport
Schutzhund originated in Germany in
the 1800's. In this time German Policeman were called "Schutzmann"
and his K9 "Schutzhund".
It refers to a sport that focuses on
developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and
happier companions to their owners.
IPO work concentrates on three parts-
tracking, obedience, and protection. Many who are familiar with the obedience
work of the American Kennel Club’s affiliates will recognize the first two
parts, tracking and obedience. The IPO standards for the third part, protection
work, are similar to those for dogs in police work.
While dogs of other breeds are also
admitted to IPO trials, this breed evaluation test was developed specifically
for the German Shepherd Dog. IPO is intended to demonstrate the dog’s
intelligence and utility. As a working trial, IPO measures the dog’s mental
stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to
work, courage and trainability.
This working dog sport offers an
opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete with each other for
recognition of both the handler’s ability to train and the dog’s ability to
perform as required. It is a sport enjoyed by persons of varied professions,
who join together in a camaraderie born of their common interest in working
with their dogs. Persons of all ages and conditions of life --- even those with
significant disabilities --- enjoy Schutzhund as a sport. Often, it is a family
sport.
The Three Parts of a IPO (Schutzhund)
Trial
The Tracking Phase includes a
temperament test by the overseeing judge to assure the dog’s mental soundness.
When approached closely on a loose leash, the dog should not act shyly or
aggressively. The track is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a
natural surface such as dirt or grass. 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 33 foot 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.
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 man or
woman.
The Protection Phase tests the dog’s
courage, physical strength and agility. The handler’s control for the dog is
absolutely essential. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding
a hidden person (acting as a human 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 searched and 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 judge from the opposite
end of the trial field. The dog is sent after the decoy when he refuses to
listen to the handler’s command to stop. The decoy then runs directly at the
dog threatening the dog with a stick. 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 is neither a coward nor a criminal menace.
