For more than a century, the German Shepherd Dog has been valued not only for its appearance, but also for its intelligence, trainability, courage, endurance, and ability to work.
The working titles found on German Shepherd pedigrees reflect the breed’s long history of evaluation under German and international working-dog systems.
The Traditional Schutzhund System
The original working-dog examination became known as Schutzhund, meaning “protection dog.”
It evaluated three areas:
- Tracking
- Obedience
- Protection
The traditional titles were:
- SchH 1
- SchH 2
- SchH 3
SchH 3 was the highest level of the traditional Schutzhund system.
Gunshot steadiness, or Schussfestigkeit, was evaluated as part of the dog’s temperament and working stability. It was not a separate SchH title.
The Transition to VPG
The designation VPG, short for Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde, meaning “versatility examination for working dogs,” was used during a transitional period in the German working-dog system.
It continued the general three-part structure of tracking, obedience, and protection.
IPO
Beginning in 2012, the working-dog examination was commonly designated:
- IPO 1
- IPO 2
- IPO 3
IPO stood for Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung.
This designation represented the international development of the working-dog examination system, although the rules and judging requirements continued to evolve.
IGP
Beginning in 2019, the modern designation became:
- IGP 1
- IGP 2
- IGP 3
IGP stands for Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungsordnung.
The examination continues to include:
- Section A – Tracking
- Section B – Obedience
- Section C – Protection
IGP 3 is the highest level of the standard IGP progression.
Although the titles are historically related, SchH 3, IPO 3, and IGP 3 should not be treated as completely identical examinations. Regulations, exercises, equipment, and judging standards changed over time.
Other Titles Found on Pedigrees
Other titles may appear alongside SchH, IPO, or IGP:
- BH / BH-VT – foundational companion-dog and traffic-safety examination
- AD – endurance examination
- FH / IFH – specialized tracking examinations
- IGP-FH – advanced international tracking examination
- ZAP – SV breeding aptitude examination
Understanding a German Shepherd Pedigree
The simplest historical progression is:
SchH → VPG → IPO → IGP
These titles provide valuable information about a dog’s training, working ability, and the period in which the dog was evaluated.
However, titles should always be interpreted in context. The date, governing organization, applicable regulations, and specific examination system all matter.
At Kempkes Executive K9, we believe that a pedigree is more than a list of names. It is a record of generations and a reflection of the qualities that breeders have worked to preserve.
Jeannette Kempkes
Kempkes Executive K9
wustenbergerland.com
