Part A: TRACKING
Maximum score: 100 points
Verbal command: "search/such" [ENGLISH WORD/GERMAN WORD]
-staying on the track = 80 pts
-two articles found = 20 pts
The track should be between 350 - 400 paces in length, laid by the handler, with two right angle corners and at least 20 minutes old. The dog is placed out of sight when the handler lays the trial. The judge will advise the handier about the pattern of the trial. The handier will mark the start with a stake or marker. The handier will remain on the right side of the stake for approximately one minute without trampling or marking the starting point. Two articles of approximately 15 centimeters (cm) in length, approximately 5-6 cm in width and approximately 2-3 cm in thickness are to be handed to the handler approximately 15 minutes prior to the laying of the track. Both articles are to be placed on the track by the handler, the first article in the middle of the second leg and the second article at the end of the track.
Before the start, the handler will report to the judge with the dog on leash or equipped for tracking. The dog should sit at heel during the reporting process. The handier will advise the judge whether the dog will pick up or point out the articles. If a dog is trained to pick up the articles, it is permissible to stand, sit or return to the handler, It is not necessary for the pick up exercise to be performed the same both times. Both picking up and pointing out together is faulty. If a dog points out the articles, the exercise can be performed by laying down, sifting or standing and again, it is not necessary to perform both indications in the same manner. It is faulty if the dog points out one article and picks up the other or drops the article during the pick up indication.
It is up to the discretion of the handler how the dog is to be started and whether to track on a leash or to track free without a leash. The tracking leash must be 10 meters in length and must be completely let out during the tracking phase. Should a handler choose to track without a tracking leash, the dog must be followed at a distance of 10-12 meters, The track should be worked out by the dog in a quiet manner so that the handler can follow at a convenient pace. When the articles are found they are to be taken by the handier and shown to the judge by raising an arm, The articles are to be returned to the judge after the completion of the track.
Dispensing food for praising purposes is not permitted while on the track. After the completion of the track, the handler reports to the judge with the dog sitting at heel to present the articles. The judge may stop the evaluation if, after 15 minutes on the track, the end has not been successfully reached.
Part B: OBEDIENCE
Maximum score: 100 points
Each individual exercise begins and ends with the basic position.
The judge gives the signal to begin each exercise. All further movements, such as turns, halt, change of pace etc. will be carried out without signals from the judge; however, the handler is permitted to request the judge to give commands (signals) for all of these movements.
The transition from fast pace to slow pace must be shown without putting any normal-pace steps in between. The "left-about-tums" may be made in either of two ways.
The "halt" must be performed as shown on the IPO Diagram for Obedience Exercises (found at the end of these rules.)
When the dog is commanded to go to "heel" from the "front" position, the dog may do so either by going around the handier or by going directly to heel ("flip" or "military" finish.)
1. Heeling on leash and impartiality (15 pts)
Verbal command: "heel/Fuß"
The handler stands with his dog sifting beside him, on leash, in the basic position. When the handler gives the verbal command "heel/Fug", the dog must go with him willingly. At the start of the exercise, the handier and dog must go straight out 40-50 paces without stopping, make an about-turn, and after 10-15 paces must show the fast pace and the slow pace (at least 10 paces each.) Then, in normal pace, the handler and dog must perform at least one right turn, one left turn, and one about-turn. The dog must remain always on the left side of the handler, with his shoulder-blade level with the handler's knee; the dog may not forge, lag or travel out wide from the handler.
The "about-turn" is to be shown as a left-about-turn. The handler may give the verbal command "heel/Fug" only when starting forward and when changing pace. When the handler stops, the dog must sit quickly without influence from the handler. During this procedure, the handler may not change his basic position and especially may not move to accommodate a crooked-sifting dog. The lead must be held in the handler's left hand throughout the exercise, and it must hang slack. Upon the judge's signal, the handler takes his dog through a group of at least four people. The handler must stop once in the group. The group members are to move about one another. Lagging, forging, heeling wide, and hesitation of the handler at the turns are faulty.
2. Free heeling (20 pts)
Verbal command: "heel/Fuß"
At the judge's instruction, the dog is unleashed while in the basic position. The handier hangs the lead around his shoulder or puts it in his pocket, and then proceeds immediately into the group with his free-heeling dog, stopping at least once in the group. After leaving the group, the handler briefly assumes the basic position, and then begins the free-heeling routine, following the same pattern as in the "heeling-on-leash" exercise.
While the handier is performing the "free-heeling" exercise (but not while he is going through the Group), two shots (caliber 6-9 mm) are to be fired, The dog must remain indifferent to the gunshots.
Any dog showing gun-shyness will be immediately excused from the trial. It is definitely faulty if the dog shows a desire to attack at the sound of the shots, even though he remains under the handler's control. Only the dog that is indifferent to the gunshots will receive full points. Procedure:
Special merit is placed upon indifference to gunshots. The shots are fired at a distance of about 15 paces (45), two shots, with an interval of five seconds between them. If the dog runs away when the shots are fired, he is excused from the trial. If the judge believes that he detects gun-sensitivity in a dog, it is his prerogative to test the dog further by having more shots fired. The test for indifference to gunshots may only be conducted during the "free-heeling" and the "down under distraction" exercises.
3. Sit exercise (10 pts)
Verbal command: "sit/sitz"
From the basic position, the handler goes straight forward with his free-heeling dog. After at least ten paces, the handler gives the verbal command "sit/sitz", and the dog must sit quickly without the handler altering his pace or looking backwards. The handier goes on another 30 paces, then stops and turns to face his dog. At the judge's signal, the handler returns to the dog and takes up the basic position on the dog's right side, Up to 5 points will be deducted if the dog lies down or remains standing instead of sitting at the command.
4. Down with recall (10 pts)
Verbal commands: "down/platz"; "come/hier"; "heel/Fuß"
From the basic position, the handier gives the verbal command "heel/Fuß and proceeds straight forward with his dog. After at least ten paces, the verbal command "down/platz" is given and the dog must quickly fie down. Without any other influence on the dog and without turning around, the handler goes on a further 30 paces, turns immediately to face his dog, and remains standing still.
At the judge's signal, the handler recalls his dog. The dog must come in rapidly and happily and must sit close in front of the handier. On the verbal command "heel/Fuß", the dog must quickly go to sit beside the handler. If the dog remains standing, or sits, but comes in perfectly, up to 5 points may be deducted.
5. Retrieving a handler's article on flat ground (10 pts)
Verbal command: "fetch/bring"
The dog sits free next to the handier. The handier throws an article about ten paces (30) away. Upon the single verbal command "fetch/bring", the dog must run rapidly to the thrown article, immediately pick it up, and return to the handier at a fast pace. The dog must sit close in front of the handler and must hold the article in his grasp until the handler, after a brief pause, takes the article from the dog with the verbal command "out/aus."
On the verbal command "heel/Fuß", the dog must rapidly go and sit on the left side of the handler. A wooden dumbbell may be used instead of a handier's article. The handier must remain in the basic position until the dog has relinquished the article and is sifting on the handler's left side in the "finish" position.
Scoring:
If the dog drops the article, plays with it or mouths it, up to 4 points may be deduct-' ed. Changing of basic position by the handler can cause a deduction of up to 3 points. If the dog does not retrieve the article, the exercise will be scored 0 points.
6. Retrieving a handler's article by a clean jump over a brush-hurdle I meter (39") high, 1.5 meters ( 5') wide (15 pts)
Verbal commands: "jump/hopp"; "fetch/bring"
The handler positions himself at an appropriate distance from the hurdle with his dog sitting free beside him. Instead of a handler's article, the handier may throw a wooden dumbbell over the hurdle. On the verbal commands "jump/hopp", "fetch/bring" the dog must perform a clean jump over the hurdle without disturbing it, immediately pick up the article, return over the hurdle, sit close in front of the handier, and hold the article in his grip until the handier, after a brief pause, takes the article from him with the verbal command "out/aus". At the verbal command "heel/Fuß, the dog must go rapidly to sit beside the handier. The verbal command "fetch/bring" must be given before the dog has reached the article. Scoring:
Point-deductions are as follows: For light touching, up to 2 points; for heavy touching and light stepping on the jump, up to 3 points; for heavy stepping on the jump, dropping the article, playing with it or mouthing it, up to 4 points.
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Both jumps perfect, retrieve without fault 15 pts |
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Outward jump done, return jump refused, |
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Outward jump refused, return jump perfect, |
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Both jumps completed, article not retrieved 8 pts |
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Both jumps refused, article retrieved I 0 pts |
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Outward jump done, return jump refused, article not retrieved 0 pts |
If the article thrown by the handler lands over to one side, through poor throwing or strong side-wind, the handler may ask the judge for permission to go pick up the article and re-throw it. No point-deduction will result from this.
If there is handler-help on the jumps, even without the handler changing his basic position, points will be deducted. More points will be lost if the handler leaves his basic position to help the dog on the jumps. Banging on the hurdle, in combination with leaving the basic position, is considered such an enormous help that no points can be given for either the outward or the return jump. The handler must remain in the basic position until the dog has relinquished the article and returned quickly to sit beside the handier on the verbal command "heel/Fuß". If several different hurdles are available, all the dogs must jump the same one.
7. Send-away with down (10 pts)
Verbal commands: "go out/voraus"; "down/platz"; "sit/sitz"
On the judge's signal, the handier with his free-heeling dog proceeds several steps straight ahead in the direction he has been instructed to go. Simultaneously the handler lifts his arm and gives the verbal command "go out/voraus" and stops still. The dog must go out at a fast pace at least 25 paces (75') in the indicated direction, and must lie down immediately upon the verbal command "down/platz." The handler may keep his arm raised high, to show the direction, until the dog has downed. On the judge's signal, the handler picks up his dog by returning to the right side of the dog and giving the verbal command "sit/sitz". Procedure:
Repeated raising and lowering of the arm is not allowed, The dog is to go out in a straight direction, but minor deviations are not faulty. Strong deviation, too short a go-out, too early or hesitant lying down, and standing up of the dog on the handler's return will result in point loss.
8. Down under distraction (1O pts)
Verbal commands: "down/platz"; "sit/sitz"
Before the start of the obedience exercises of another dog, the handler downs his dog at a distance of about 40 paces, without leaving the leash or any type of article with the dog. Remaining within the dog's sight, the handler goes to a spot about 40 paces from the dog, without turning around, and there remains quietly standing with his back to the dog. The dog must remain lying there, without any influence from the handier, until the other dog working on the field has completed exercises 1-6. After exercise 6, the "downed" dog will be picked up by the same procedure as in exercise 7 above.
Procedure:
The handler must stand quietly with his back to his dog in that spot on the trial ground where he was instructed to stand, until the judge instructs him to pick up his dog. Restless behavior of the handler, and other hidden help, as well as too early getting up of the dog when the handler returns, are faulty.
If the dog stands or sits, but remains on the spot where he was put down, a partial score will be given. If, prior to the completion of exercise 3 by the dog on the field, the "downed" dog moves a distance of more than 3 meters (10') from where he was put down, the exercise will receive 0 points. If the "downed" dog leaves his position after the other dog completes exercise 3, he will receive partial points. If the dog comes to meet the handler as the handler goes to pick him up, up to 3 points are deducted.
Part C: PROTECTION WORK
Maximum Score: 100 points
1. Searching for the Helper (5 pts)
Six blinds are to be set up in a staggered fashion, three on each side, along the length of an area measuring about 100 meters (300 ft.) long and about 80 meters (240 ft.) wide. A Helper with a full protection suit, protection sleeve and soft stick is placed in the last (sixth) blind, out of sight of the dog.
The handler (HF) positions himself, with his dog off leash sifting beside him, on an imaginary midline at the level of the fifth blind. By raising one arm high into the air, the HF signals the judge that he is ready to begin the work. Upon a signal from the judge, the HF begins the Protection Work. Upon the handler giving short voice commands and hand signals with the right or left arm, which may be repeated, the dog must quickly leave the handier and run to and around the last two blinds in order. The HF must move along the imaginary midline, and may not leave this position during the search for the Helper.
Once the dog has completed a search to one side, the HF may call the dog to him with a short voice command and, while still moving (on the center line), he may send the dog in another direction with a new short voice command. The voice command used to recall the dog to the handler may be combined with the call name of the dog. The dog must always run in front of the handler (while crossing the field to search). When the dog reaches the last blind, the handler must stop and stand still, and no further commands are allowed.
2. Hold and bark (10 + 10 = 20 pts)
The dog must confront the Helper attentively and bark continuously. The dog may not jump on or grip the Helper. Upon a signal from the judge, the HF goes to his dog. Upon another signal from the judge, the HF will position himself, with his dog in the basic position, at a distance of one step (one pace) away from the Helper.
Now the HF orders the Helper to move out of the blind a distance of five steps (paces).
3. Attempted escape of the Helper (25 pts)
Upon a signal from the judge, the HF with his free-heeling dog steps away from the blind and positions himself at a distance of five paces from the Helper. The handler leaves his dog in a sifting position guarding the Helper, and goes back again into the blind (to search the blind for weapons etc.). Upon a signal from the judge, the Helper tries to escape. Upon a voice command from the HF, the dog must immediately and without hesitation prevent the escape by means of an energetic and strong grip. Upon a signal from the judge, the Helper stops and stands still. The dog must release upon a single command and must guard the Helper closely and attentively.
4. Defense of the dog during the guarding phase (25 pts)
After a guarding phase of about five seconds, and upon a signal from the judge, the Helper makes an attack upon the dog. Without any influence by the HF and without hesitation, the dog must defend itself through energetic and powerful griping. Upon a signal from the judge, the Helper stops and stands still. Upon a single short voice command, the dog must release and then guard the Helper closely and attentively. The HF goes to his dog and commands him to "heel". The stick is not taken from the Helper.
5. Attack on the dog out of motion (25 pts)
The handler with his dog will be sent into the middle of the field, at about the level of the third blind. The dog must sit next to his handler and may be hold by the collar.
Upon a signal from the judge, the Helper, carrying a stick, steps out from the sixth blind in a normal pace and walks directly toward the dog. As soon as the Helper has reached a point about 30 paces from the HF and his dog (which is sitting at heel beside him), the judge gives the HF a signal and the HF lets his dog go. The handler himself may not move from his position.
The Helper makes a frontal attack upon the dog, accompanied by intimidating utterances and fierce threatening motions. The dog must thwart the attack through energetic and powerful griping. Once the dog is griping the sleeve, he is to receive two stick hits. The hits are permitted on the thighs, side-portions (ribcage) and in the region of the withers (top of shoulder blades), Upon a signal from the judge, the Helper stops and stands still. Upon a single short voice command, the dog must release and then guard the Helper closely and attentively. Upon a signal from the judge, the HF goes to his dog, disarms the Helper, and positions himself for the start of the side-transport.
Now there is a side-transport of the Helper to the judge over a distance of about 20 paces. A short voice command at the start of the transport is allowed. The HF must walk on the right side of the Helper, with the dog between the HF and the Helper. During the transport, the dog may neither jump on nor grip the Helper. The group stops in front of the judge, and the HF presents the stick to the judge. The Helper leaves the field. The dog must remain in the free-heeling position while the dog and handier walk to the place where the critique will be given, and during the critique the dog must remain sitting free in the heel position. After the critique, the dog handler leaves the field with his dog heeling free beside him.