The Schutzhund Rule Book, now officially known as IGP (Internationale Gebrauchshund Prufung), is a complex document that dictates the requirements for dogs participating in this demanding sport. Understanding the rule book is crucial for anyone interested in training, trialing, or judging IGP. This guide provides a thorough overview of the key elements within the Schutzhund/IGP rule book.
What is the IGP/Schutzhund Rule Book?
The Schutzhund rule book, now the IGP rule book, is a set of regulations that defines the structure, requirements, and judging criteria for the sport. It’s not just a simple set of rules; it’s a detailed manual covering obedience, protection, and tracking. It establishes standards of performance, ensuring fairness and consistency across all trials globally. The rule book acts as the final authority on all matters related to IGP.
Key Sections of the IGP Rule Book
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Obedience: This section outlines the specific exercises that dogs must perform, including heeling, recalls, retrieves, and stays. It details precisely how each exercise should be executed, the required positioning of the dog and handler, and the specific commands and signals that are permitted. The obedience section also covers points deducted for errors, such as lagging, forging, or lack of focus from the dog. Understanding the fine nuances of obedience requirements, as explained in the rulebook is crucial for a handler.
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Protection: This aspect of IGP, sometimes referred to as bite work, involves the dog displaying specific behaviors when engaging with a decoy. The rules outline correct grip, guarding, and releasing behaviors. It also specifies the acceptable level of aggression, emphasizing controlled drives and responsiveness to the handler’s commands. The Schutzhund rule book is very clear about the importance of the dog being under the control of the handler at all times even during protection work. It includes a lot of details about how to behave the handler, the decoy and the dog during the protection exercises.
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Tracking: The tracking section of the rule book details the specifics of the scent track a dog is required to follow. This includes track length, aging, item placement, and track laying procedures. It specifies the importance of the dog staying on the track, how the dog signals finding a hidden article, and what is considered a track fault. The rule book is quite prescriptive when it comes to how the dog should indicate the items which have been left on the track.
Understanding the Judging Criteria
Beyond the exercises themselves, the Schutzhund rule book details how judges evaluate a dog’s performance. Judges assess based on the handler and dog’s obedience to the rules, precision of the exercises, the drive level of the dog and the overall temperament of the dog. This section of the rule book details how to interpret the scoring system and why certain points are deducted or awarded during the trial. It ensures a consistent approach to scoring and evaluation across different events and countries.
Changes in the Rules: Schutzhund to IGP
It’s important to be aware of the transition from Schutzhund to IGP. While the essence of the sport remains the same, the IGP rulebook has changed slightly some of the rules and requirements. Some changes were small, others more significant, such as the addition of certain exercises and adjustments to point allocations. Familiarizing yourself with the latest edition of the IGP rulebook is essential for all participants.
Finding and Utilizing the Rule Book
The official IGP rule book can typically be obtained from organizations governing the sport, such as national or international working dog associations. Many organizations also offer translations and explanations of specific sections to ensure accessibility for all members. It’s advisable to refer to the most up-to-date version of the rule book and to discuss any questions with qualified trainers and judges.
Why is Understanding the Rule Book Important?
A thorough understanding of the Schutzhund/IGP rule book is not only for competitive participants. Even if someone is casually involved in Schutzhund training with their dog, knowledge of the rules offers several benefits:
- Effective Training: A deep understanding allows trainers to focus on specific requirements, optimizing training methods and ensuring compliance with judging criteria.
- Consistency: The rule book establishes standard practices and expectations, leading to consistency in training and performance.
- Fair Competition: The rules promote fair competition by providing a clear framework for evaluation.
- Responsible Dog Ownership: By ensuring that dogs are not trained with excessive aggression or outside the constraints of control, the rulebook promotes responsible dog ownership.
- Improved Communication: Detailed knowledge of the rulebook helps with effective communication between handler, trainer and judge.
The Schutzhund/IGP rule book is a fundamental document for the sport. Understanding its nuances is paramount for success in trials, effective training, and promoting the ethical and responsible practice of IGP dog sport. It is important to note that the rules can change from year to year so it is vital to keep up to date with the latest version.