About us
The Working German Shepherd & Dogsport Clubs of Australasia, founded in 1992, is Australia’s largest organisation dedicated to preserving the German Shepherd Dog as a remarkable working breed! We emphasise responsible dog ownership through engaging training, educational seminars, dogsport trials, puppy temperament testing and health schemes such as our Hip & Elbow Scheme via our DZG partner in Germany. We collaborate with the World Union of German Shepherds (WUSV) and have clubs across Australia and New Zealand who are committed to celebrating the breed's incredible working heritage!
Our members come from diverse backgrounds united by a shared commitment to the well-being of their dogs by enabling their dogs to use their natural instincts under the highly regulated FCI IGP dogsport scheme.
Dogs who know their A-B-C
IGP dogsport lets dogs utilise their inherited traits for rewards such as food and toys. This type of training offers numerous benefits, enhancing dogs' physical health and mental well-being.
Many working-dog organisations offer IGP Dogsport to promote the welfare of civilian-owned dogs, making it the largest canine sport in the world. The sport is regulated by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and has been practiced globally for over a century, Dogs trained in IGP exhibit greater balance, self-confidence, strong work ethic and extremely obedient even if highly excited. The first IGP title, BH-VT, is a 'good citizen' test that includes obedience and a 'traffic test,' where a dog's reaction to strangers, other dogs, and more is evaluated, important traits for any dog today.
Australia at 2024 WUSV World Championship
Our National Championships are the qualifying events for Australian representation at WUSV IGP World Championships.
Experience the Fun
Unlock your dog's true potential through training and test your skills in trials
Trained dogs are happy dogs. Happy dogs are safer dogs
About
Australia's largest organisation dedicated to preserving the German Shepherd as a working dog breed
Office Bearers
Our mission emphasises the importance of responsible dog ownership through training, education, and the hosting of trials and seminars. With numerous clubs across Australia and New Zealand, we offer IGP dogsport and a variety of other activities, fostering a strong community of enthusiasts committed to the breed's working heritage.
Board of Management
Club Affiliates
The German Shepherd Dog
The story begins in 1899 when Max von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV). Five years later, the first German Shepherd made their way to Australia.
German Shepherd Dog
The first German Shepherd Dog arrived in Australia in 1904, following the breed's inception in 1899 when Max von Stephanitz registered Horand von Grafrath and founded the SV.
In 1903, efficiency tests were introduced to identify dogs worthy of breeding, which proved to be a tremendous success. These tests became popular among civilians as a scheme to enhance the welfare of their German Shepherds. This is the origin of IGP dogsport and shaped the early form of the GSD we know today.
German Shepherds crave exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and balanced
The German Shepherd Dog is an incredibly adaptable breed, thriving in various roles such as family pet, sports, service, guarding, rescue, therapy, guiding, and herding. Renowned for its confidence, resilience, and attentiveness, this breed boasts strong physical and mental endurance. With proper socialisation, German Shepherds display excellent social behavior, making them great companions in family settings alongside humans and other pets.
While training is crucial, it's vital not to set unrealistic expectations for puppies too soon. Training can be straightforward, but requires consistency, patience, and understanding. For those new to dog training, it's essential to recognise that errors often arise from the handler rather than the dog's willingness to learn or listen.
A well-trained dog-handler team can achieve titles by participating in our trials, showcasing the breed's impressive abilities and the strong bond between the dog and its handler.
IGP Dogsport
The dogs partaking in IGP dogsport are sport dogs. They are given an opportunity to use inherited traits for the reward of food and/or toys. IGP training can benefit dogs in many ways. It can improve their physical health and mental well-being, as well as their character. Dogs that are trained in IGP tend to be more balanced and self-confident with a strong drive to work. The training is designed to develop and evaluate the working traits in dogs, making them happier companions to their owners. Many working-dog organizations have adopted IGP Dogsport for the well-being of civilian-owned dogs.The training fosters confident and well balanced dogs.
IGP Dogsport is governed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under the FCI Utility Dog Regulation. The sport has been practiced for more than a century worldwide and the largest competitive canine sport in the world.
Internationale Gebrauchshund Prüfung
IGP Dogsport
IGP Dogsport Scheme teaches 3 different disciplines: tracking, obedience and sleeve work - each judged on a 100-point scale, with 70 point being the minimum passing score.
There are currently 29 different IGP titles, including but not limited to, tracking titles (FPr1-3, IFH1-2 or IFH-V), obedience titles (IGBH1-3, BH-VT, UPr1-3), obedience + sleeve work titles (GPr1-3), or all 3 disciplines (IGP1-3 titles).
IGP dogsport training is based on food and/or ball/tug rewards.
IGP titles verify training and documents a dog's work ethics, trainability, and mental and physical soundness. The ability to handle stress and adversity is essential not only for service or sports dogs, but also for dogs living as part of a family. This ability is all anchored in their genetic makeup.
The Misunderstood Discipline
IGP Sleeve Work
Contrary to misconceptions, the sport doesn't teach dogs to bite. IGP sleeve work is designed to teach a dog obedience under high-stimulus conditions and tests its ability to follow command amidst intense excitement or distractions. This level of discipline results in dogs that are safer and more reliable than untrained counterparts, as the IGP dog have been taught rules and context - valuable traits in today's society.
Aggression is neither tolerated nor cultivated in IGP dogsport. IGP sleeve work does not result in aggressive dogs. Anybody who has watched a top agility competition may have noticed that the dogs get their toy at the end - as their reward - and they tug it ferociously. Does this make the agility dog aggressive? No.
The sport has an emphasis on control, obedience and positive channeling of a dog's innate behaviour. The padded burlap sleeve carried on the arm is the reward for the dog. IPG dogs have no focus on the people wearing it (here).
The Origin of the Sport
The sport of IGP (International Prüfung Ordning) originated in Germany in the early 1900s as a method to evaluate the working abilities, intelligence, and endurance of German Shepherd Dogs.
Initially developed to assess whether a dog possessed the essential traits of a working dog—such as a strong work drive, courage, intelligence, trainability, loyalty to the handler, protective instincts, and a keen sense of smell—IGP also tests physical attributes like strength, endurance, and agility.
In many countries, the sport continues to serve as a benchmark for identifying these desired qualities in dogs.
In 1968, the World Union of German Shepherd Dogs (Weltunion der Schäferhunde, WUSV) was established to preserve the breed's uniformity. Today, over 90 countries are affiliated with WUSV. The first WUSV World Championship was in 1998 and has since become a prestigious event in the international working German Shepherd community.
Responsible Dog Ownership
Only through training and testing can we understand a dog’s personality and temperament. These genetic traits can be measured in sports such as IGP dogsport
German Shepherd Dog
The first German Shepherd Dog arrived in Australia in 1904, following the breed's inception in 1899 when Max von Stephanitz registered Horand von Grafrath and founded the SV.
In 1903, efficiency tests were introduced to identify dogs worthy of breeding, which proved to be a tremendous success. These tests became popular among civilians as a scheme to enhance the welfare of their German Shepherds. This is the origin of IGP dogsport and shaped the early form of the GSD we know today.
How is IGP dogsport responsible dog ownership?
A dog’s personality and temperament are genetic traits that can be measured. Titles attained under IGP dogsport certify that a dog has the correct temperament, highly trainable, and willing to follow commands, even when highly excited. These attributes are crucial for any dog, and lacking them can potentially make a dog dangerous. IGP dogsport has a zero-tolerance policy for aggression and is dedicated to promoting the mental and physical well being of dogs through ongoing education and high training standards.
IGP dogsport is about eliminating dogs that are aggressive and/or lack trainability or a willingness to follow commands. The training and testing are deliberately designed to identify and document dogs exhibiting such behaviors. IGP dog people are dedicated to training their dogs regularly. We are committed to ongoing education and high training standards and promoting the mental and physical wellbeing of the dog from puppyhood to maturity and beyond.
The sport reduces the risk of bite incidents
Biting is a natural behavior in dogs, and any dog can bite for various reasons. It's essential to understand when and why dogs may bite, and we must guide them on what is appropriate to bite. For most pet dogs, this includes toys like balls, tugs, frisbees, and sticks, which are rooted in play. IGP dogsport also emphasises play exercises that extend the traditional game of chasing and grabbing toys, utilising items like balls, tugs, pillows, and a burlap cover known as 'the sleeve.'
This sport includes the highest form of simulated distractions. The focus of IGP sleeve work is not to encourage biting but to teach control when the dog is highly excited. It highlights a dog's trainability and ability to follow commands amid high stimulation. Consequently, it fosters safer dogs by teaching them acceptable behavior in various situations, regardless of distractions.
The insights gained from IGP training and competition significantly decrease the likelihood of unprovoked and inappropriate bites, ultimately reducing the chances of an IGP-trained dog being involved in a biting incident.
Positive Impact on the Community
The sport has been a beloved social outdoor activity for over a century, enjoyed by both humans and their canine companions. Itites individuals committed to responsible pet ownership by training their dogs for joyful and fulfilling lives. This sport uniquely allows males and females to compete on equal footing.
In addition to the advantages of training, breeding, and producing well-balanced dogs, trials and competitions attract spectators and highlight responsible dog ownership.
IGP dogsport requires genetic traits such as being highly trainable and mentally sound. Puppies born to IGP parents are likely to inherit these desirable genetic traits which should be highly sought after by pet owners. However, many puppy buyers may not realise the importance of inquiring about these specific qualifications due to a lack of understanding the benefits of IGP dogsport and how IGP titles informs puppies' lineage, temperament, trainability, and overall health. Puppies from IGP-titled parents are more likely to grow into well-adjusted, trainable, and balanced adults, ensuring they integrate smoothly into family life and respond positively to training.
Assistance, Therapy, Conservation, Service, Search & Rescue Dogs
Breeding on IGP titled dog can be used to predict whether the puppies are likely to be suitable for service and operational roles within our community.
Offspring of IGP-titled parents often excel in assistance work due to their inherited stable temperaments, high trainability, and robust health. These genetic traits ensure obedience, control, and adaptability, making them especially suited for therapy work or aiding individuals with disabilities in diverse environments.
Puppies with IGP inheritance excel in ecological conservation due to their inherited traits of high trainability, focus and robust health. They can be trained for wildlife detection, poaching prevention, and environmental monitoring in varied and challenging environments while maintaining reliability and precision in their duties.
Julie Hunt and her dog Halen compete in IGP Dogsport. Halen is also a therapy dog for youth