German ADRK ROTTWEILER - VPG / IPO EXPLAINATION

VPG = Vielseitigkeitsprufung fur Gebrauchshunde (Versatility Test for Working (Utility) Dogs in Germany

IPO = International Trial Rules, for more information on the FCI's IPO rules & rugulations visit below link.

SCHUTZHUND THE SPORTS DOG ?

Schutzhund (German for protection dog) is a dog sport which originated in Germany in the early 1900's as a breeding suitability test for the German shepherd dog and was quickly adopted for use by other working breeds such as the Malinois and Rottweiler. It provided breeders with a method to evaluate temperament, character, trainability, willingness and mental and physical soundness and to select and use only the highest quality dogs for breeding programs. In response to political forces in Germany , in 2004 the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) and the Deutscher Hundesportverein (DHV) made substantial changes to Schutzhund. The DHV adopted the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) rules that govern IPO titles, so that at least on paper the SV and DHV gave up control of the sport to the FCI. The DHV changed the name of the titles from "SchH" (Schutzhund) to "VPG" (Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde which roughly translates Versatility examination for working dogs). The SV has retained the "SchH" title names, but otherwise conforms to the DHV/FCI rules.

There are three schutzhund titles: Schutzhund 1 (SchH/VPG/IPO), Schutzhund 2 (SchH/VPG/IPO), and Schutzhund 3 (Sch/VPG/IPO). SchH1 is the first title and SchH3 is the most advanced. Additionally, before a dog can compete for a SchH1, he must pass a temperament test called a BH (Begleithundprüfung which translates as "traffic-sure companion dog test").

To obtain a title, the dog and handler must pass three distinct phases at a trial: tracking, obedience, and protection.

Phase A: Tracking

In this phase, the dog must draw from inherited abilities by using his nose to find a person’s track and discover articles that have been dropped along the way. Unlike search & rescue where the dog relies primarily on “air-scenting”, Schutzhund tracking is very focused on the footsteps, and is scored largely on the precision of the dog’s performance. Depending upon the title sought, tracks will vary in length, shape and age. Tracking is usually done in dirt or on grass. A perfect score is 100 points, with a minimum of 70 needed to pass.

Phase B: Obedience

The obedience phase showcases the dog's inherent joy in the work balanced with precision and control. The exercises include heeling on and off leash, walking through a group of people, sit, down and/or stand while moving, recall, a 10+ minute long down while another dog is working on the field, retrieving, and jumping. Two shots are fired from a blank gun during the heeling and long down, and the dog must not react adversely. A set pattern is demonstrated by the handler with a perfect score being 100 points, with 70 needed to pass.

Phase C: Protection

In the protection work phase the dog must energetically locate and guard (without touching) a concealed criminal, prevent an escape by the criminal and stop a pursuing criminal. He is rated on self-confidence, ability to work under pressure, toughness and resilience, steadfast nerves, well-balanced drives and willingness to take directions and be responsive to the handler. Obedience and control are demonstrated throughout the protection phase through off-lead exercises and through guarding without biting.

A maximum 100 points are awarded for each of the three test phases, a passing score being 70 for tracking, 70 for obedience and 70 for protection. A 210 point total will earn a basic qualification degree, while higher scores of course are rewarded with more prestigious ratings and titles.

TRIAL REQUIREMENTS

On the day of the trial the dog must have reached the required age.No exceptions are allowed:
IPO-1 18MTHS
IPO-2 19MTHS
1PO-3 20MTHS
IPO-FH 20MTHS

IPO1 - PHASE A

The track is laid by the handler, min 300 paces, 3 legs, 2 corners (approx 90 degrees), 2 articles that belong to the handler, at least 20mins old, time to work out track 15mins.

STAYING ON THE TRACK: 80pts

ARTICLES (10+10) 20pts

TOTAL 100PTS

IPO -1 PHASE B

Exercise 1: Free Healing 20pts
Exercise 2: Sit in motion 10pts
Exercise 3: Down with recall 10pts
Exercise 4: Retrieve on the flat 10pts
Exercise 5: Retrieve over hurdle 15pts
Exercise 6: Retrieve over scaling wall 15pts
Exercise 7: Sit-out with down 10pts
Exercise 8: Long down under distraction 10pts
TOTAL 100PTS

IPO -1 PHASE C

Ex 1: Search for the helper 5pts
Ex 2: Hold & Bark 10pts
Ex 3: Prevention of attempted escape of the helper 20pts
Ex 4:
Defense of the dog during guarding phase 35pts
Ex 5: Attack on the dog out of motion 30pts
TOTAL 100PTS

REACTION TO PEOPLE BEHAVING IN A QUIET MANNER:

1.The dog handler walks his dog casually through a group of approx 10 people who are moving around.

2.After about 2mins the dog is let off the leash & the handler repeats the routine described above with his dog off leash.

3.The group form an alleyway that narrows towards the end & the handler leads the dog,now back on the leash,through the alley of people.The routine is accompanied by an acoustic provocation - a plastic canister filled with stones is shaken to make a rattling noise.
The dog should behave in a relaxed, unselfconscious manner throughout the exercise routine & demonstrate indifference towards what is going on around him,even when the group close in on him when he is sitting at heel.This particular part of the routine - incidentally different from any other test routine using a group of people - reveals a great deal about the dog's level of self confidence & trust in the handler.

Character

The 2nd part of the test is similar to the SchH I protection routine, only harder (in my opinion). There is an attack out of the blind and a courage test. In SchH I, the dog is at least in drive (alert) on the attack out of the blind. For the Ztp/BST, the dog is not permitted to see the helper and may not realize it is on a protection field which means the dog may not be in drive. For this reason, many dogs fail the test at this point because they cannot take the threat. The helper hides in a blind, the dog is heeled towards the blind. The leash is taken off the dog. Upon the judge’s signal, the helper comes out of the blind towards the dog when the dog is almost at the blind, at which point the handler releases the dog. The attack surprises the dog. The dog must bite the sleeve fully, is given two stick hits over the withers with a padded stick, the helper drives the dog until directed to stop by the judge. If the dog does not ‘out’ (release the sleeve) the dog fails. After outing, the dog must stay by the helper and guard him. Upon a signal from the judge, the handler returns to the dog and picks it up. The dog and handler then go into a blind.

The last part is the courage test. The judge directs the helper to come out of the blind at the opposite end of the field (approximately 120 paces) than the dog and handler. The handler is not permitted to stimulate the dog (ie the dog must remain quietly beside the handler). The helper runs half way across the back of the field and then runs directly at the dog and handler, threatening with the stick. The dog is released. The dog must run at the helper at a full run and bite the sleeve. The handler is not allowed to move from the position from where the dog was released. The dog is given the command to ‘out’ by the handler who is still at the original position. If the dog does not ‘out’, the dog fails. Once the dog has outed, the dog must stay with the helper and guard him. The judge signals the handler to return to the dog. The handler returns to the dog and a leash is put on. The test is ended. The handler and dog report to the judge. The dog’s performance is then critiqued to the spectators. There is no score given. It is either a pass or fail.

IT TAKES 3-12 MONTHS TO PREPARE A DOG FOR ZTP AND WORKING TITLES, NOT ALL DOGS PASS ZTP !!! ONES THAT DON'T PASS ZTP, CAN NOT BE USED FOR BREEDING IN GERMANY NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY LOOK OR WHICH SHOW RESULTS THEY HAVE !!!

IN GERMANY, LITTER OF PUPPIES CAN NOT BE REGISTERED IF BOTH PARENTS DON'T PASS ZTP !!!

NOW COMPARE ALL THIS INFO WITH A FACT THAT IN USA ANY TWO DOGS WITH AKC PEDIGREE CAN BE USED FOR BREEDING AND THEIR LITTER CAN BE REGISTERED, AND THAN YOU WILL HAVE THE ANSWER WHY DOG SHELTERS ARE FULL OF DOGS THAT NOBODY WANTS AND WHY ROTTWEILER HAS SUCH A BAD NAME IN USA !!! SPAYING AND NEUTERING IS NOT THE ANSWER, SUCH A THING DOESN'T EXIST IN EUROPE, THE KEY IS PPOPER EDUCATION AND RESPONSIBLE BREEDING !!!

Finding appropriate and loving homes for our puppies is very important. Our dogs are raised to be loving and loyal family companions. They come from the best German bloodlines, and I don't mean in their distant pedigree. All of our breeding females are imports out of the top German bloodlines. Every dog in their pedigree is a champion or a titled dog. We are not kind of breeder that will breed his females only with their own stud, we want to better the breed and we invest lot on money and effort to breed our females only with THE BEST rottweiler studs in the world no matter what the cost is. Imagine how much does it cost to prepare a female for breeding, do all kind oh health testings, fly to Germany with a female, pay for the stud fees , hotels, ... best nutrition, vet bills, registration papers etc. No matter how much to charge for a puppy we barely brake even, sometimes female don't get pregnant and we lose thousands of $plus time and nerves. Than you probably ask yourself why we still do it, well our love and passion for rottweilers its hard to explain with words. Its an exceptional pride and joy to raise and play with our puppies that have extraordinary looks with large bone and a big head with lots of expression and intelligence. They are what a true Rottweiler is meant to be! Absolutely stunning to look at with a stable temperament, sound body and amazing intelligence.