IGP and Schutzhund dog breeders in the UK

About igp and schutzhund dog breeders in the uk

IGP, previously known as Schutzhund, VPG and IPO, is a three-phase working test of tracking, obedience and protection that began in Germany as a way to assess German Shepherds for breeding. This page explains how IGP UK trials work, who runs the IGP clubs, which IGP dog breeds compete and what to ask a breeder of working-line puppies.

What this work involves

An IGP trial tests a dog in three phases: tracking, obedience and protection. A dog must pass all three at the same trial to earn a title; single phases can be tested, but they do not earn a working title. Under the FCI’s international rules, a dog must first pass the BH-VT, a companion dog test of obedience and behaviour in traffic, and can enter IGP1 from 18 months of age. Titles then run from IGP1 to IGP3. Because the sport has had several names, older pedigrees and training material may show Schutzhund, VPG or IPO titles.

The protection phase uses a trained helper, and the dog may grip only the protective sleeve. It is judged on the dog’s control as much as its courage: the dog must release on the handler’s command and guard the helper without further aggression. According to BAGSD, the first Schutzhund trial was held in Germany in 1901 to test the German Shepherd’s working temperament and ability, and the sport is still used that way: a German Shepherd with an IGP title can go forward for breed survey, a detailed examination of structure, temperament and pedigree that also requires hip, elbow and back certification and an endurance test.

Who trains and supplies these dogs in the UK

IGP dogs are trained by their owners at IGP clubs, working with licensed judges, helpers and tracklayers. A puppy from titled parents is a prospect, not a trained dog, and Canine Breeder does not sell, train or certify working or protection dogs.

Anyone looking for Schutzhund UK clubs will find the sport run under the IGP name. The WUSV, the world union of German Shepherd clubs, lists two British member organisations:

• British Association for German Shepherd Dogs (BAGSD): formed in 1933, formerly the British Alsatian Association, and a WUSV member since 1968. It formed BAGSD-IPO/IGP in 2007 to comply with WUSV resolutions. BAGSD-IPO/IGP is WUSV and Kennel Club registered, lists licensed judges, helpers and tracklayers, and has affiliated clubs that hold trials. It says other working breeds are encouraged to join, to give them a UK gateway into the sport.
• German Shepherd Dog League of Great Britain (GSDL): a WUSV member since 1979.

To find IGP clubs near you, contact either organisation and visit a training session before committing.

Breeds and lines

• German Shepherd Dog: the breed IGP was built for. Working GSD IGP lines are bred for drive, nerve and tracking ability and differ noticeably from many show lines.
• Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois): fast, intense and athletic, best suited to an experienced handler.
• Rottweiler: powerful and steady, one of the traditional German working breeds.
• Dobermann: quick, agile and handler-focused.

Look for parents with titles earned at recognised trials, hip and elbow results under the BVA/Royal Kennel Club schemes or equivalent overseas screening, and the breed’s DNA tests. Temperament matters most: a good prospect is confident and clear-headed, not nervous or indiscriminately aggressive.

What to ask a breeder

1. What IGP titles and breed survey results do the parents hold, and where were they earned?
2. What are the parents’ hip and elbow results, and which DNA tests have they had?
3. Can I watch the parents track, do obedience and work with a helper?
4. How do the parents behave at home with visitors, children and other dogs?
5. Which club do you train with, and will you help me find one near me?
6. What level of drive should a first-time handler expect from this litter?

Legal and welfare notes

Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place in England, Wales or Scotland, public or private, and it applies to sport-trained dogs like any other. An IGP title is a sporting qualification: it does not certify a dog as a protection or guard dog. Guarding premises with a dog is covered by the Guard Dogs Act 1975, and contract security guarding is licensed by the Security Industry Authority. Protection work should only be taught by qualified helpers at a recognised club. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 requires anyone responsible for a dog in England and Wales to meet its welfare needs, including protection from pain, suffering and injury, and that duty covers training methods.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IGP, IPO and Schutzhund?

They are the same sport under successive names. Schutzhund and VPG came first, then IPO, and IGP is the name used in the FCI’s current international rules.

Can breeds other than German Shepherds do IGP?

Yes. The FCI’s IGP rules admit dogs of all breeds and sizes, and BAGSD-IPO/IGP encourages other working breeds, such as Malinois, Rottweilers and Dobermanns, to join.

Does an IGP title mean a dog is a protection dog?

No. IGP is a sport and a breeding test. A title shows what a dog achieved at a trial, not that it is trained or certified for personal protection or security work.

If you breed German Shepherds, Malinois, Rottweilers or Dobermanns from working lines that compete in IGP, list your kennel on Canine Breeder and reach handlers looking for their next prospect.