- General Information

This trials and tournaments should serve two purposes. The first purpose is to determine a dog's suitability for a particular use by obtaining a title. The other purpose is to help to maintain ot increase the health and working ability, as far as working dog characteristics are concerned, from generation to generation within the breeding program. They also help to maintain and increase health and fitness. A working title is also considered proof of a dog's breed worthiness.

We suggest that the National Organizations (LAO) promote the IPO. International events should be conducted under IPO Rules. All trials and tournaments are subjects to sports related principles regarding the hosting of events and regarding the conduct of the participants. The regulations stated in these guidelines are binding for all persons involved. All competitors have to comply with the same performance requirements. The events are open to the public. The membership must be informed publicity of the location of the event and the time event starts.

Trials and tournaments must comply with the complete examination levels or seperate complete parts of a particular examination level. In any case, successfully completed entire examination level at an even reflects a valid training degree. The training degrees must be recognized by all countries that are members of the FCI.

- Trial Season

IPO 1, 2, 3 trials as well as IPO FH trials can be held throughout the entire year if weather permits and health and safety of people and animals are not put at risk. Otherwise, the event cannot be held. This decision is made by the Trial Judge. The LAO is entitled to make restrictions regarding the trial season for their area.

- Trial Organization/Trial Chairperson (PL)

The Trial Chairperson is responsible to organize the event. The Trial Chairperson handles or supervises all tasks neccessary to prepare and conduct a trial. He/she insures the correct course of events and must be at the judge's disposal throughout the entire event.

Therefore, the Trial Chairperson is not allowed to show a dog or take on other duties. The Trial Chairperson is responsible for:

• Obtaining all neccessary event authorizations.

• Finding suitable (in accordance with PO-Regulations) tracking fields for all trial levels.

• Making arrangements with the owners of the tracking fields and persons who may have acquired hunting rights for this property.

• Getting experienced volunteers for example Helpers for the protection phase, tracklayers, people for the group, etc.

• Securing the trial date.

• Providing all neccessary trial equipment (in accordance with PO-Regulations) and proper protective clothing for Helpers.

• Providing forms, such as Judge's books and score sheets for all trial levels.

• Making scorebooks, registration papers, proof of vaccination and if neccessary proof of liability insurance available.

The Chairperson must inform the Judge three days prior to the event of the location of the trial, the time the trial starts, directions to the trial site, type of examinations and number of dogs. If the Trial Chairperson fails to provide the Judge with this information the judge has the right to withdraw from his/her appointment.

The even authorization form must be presented to the Judge prior to the start of the trial.

- Trial Judge

The officers of the hosting club are responsible for inviting a Judge who is authorized to conduct IPO trials, or the LAO can assign a Judge. For World Championships the Judges are assigned by the FCI Working Dog Committee. The hosting club determines how many Judges are invited. However, one Judge may judge a maximum of 30 individual phases per day.

IPO FH, IPO 1, IPO 2, IPO 3 equivalent to three phases each.

For major events scheduled by the LAO, the LAO can establish special regulations.

The Judge is not permitted to evaluate dogs that are owned by him or that has in his possession. The Judge is not permitted to evaluate dogs that are owned or in the possession of a person living in the same household with him. He is not permitted to evaluate dogs that are shown by a person living in the same household. In the event that a Judge is appointed by the LAO or the Working Dog Committee of the FCI, this rule does not apply.

The Judge is not permitted to influence or distract a dog's performance through his behavior. The Judge is responsible for the compliance and correct application of the valid trial regulations. The Judge is entitled to terminate a trial if the trial is not conducted in compliance with the trial regulations and his instructions are ignored. In such a case the Judge must submit a report to the LAO.

A Judge's decision is final and inconstestable. Any form of criticism regarding the evaluation can lead to dismissal from the site and can eventually be followed by disciplinary measures. In justified cases, regarding a violation of the trial regulations on the Judge's part and not a Judge's decision, a complaint can be field within eight days.

The complaint is submitted in writing, signed by the plaintiff and at least two witnesses, via the Trial Chairperson to the hosting club respectively the LAO.

The acceptance of a complaint does not automatically lead to a revision of the Judge's evaluation. A decision is made by the corresponding committee of the LAO. The LAO can pass the complaint on to the Working Dog Committee who will make a final decision.

- Trial Participants

The trial participant must meet the entry deadline for the event. With the submission of the entry form the participant agrees to pay the entry fee. In the event that the participant cannot participate in the trial for whatever reason he/she must immediately contact the Trial Chairperson. The trial participant must comply with any veterinary and animal protection regulations that are in effect for the region. The participant must follow the instructions of the Judge as well as those of the Trial Chairperson. The Handler must show the dog in a sporty and faultless manner. A Handler must show his dog in all sections of the trial, regardless of the outcome in any one section. The trial ends with announcement of the final scores (closing ceremony) and handing-out of the scorebooks.

The Judge has the right to terminate a dog's trial performance, even against the wishes of the Handler, if the dog is injured or otherwise incapacitated. If a Handler pulls a dog from a trial the scorebook will be marked "insufficient-dog was pulled". If a dog is pulled from the trial on grounds of an obvious injury or a letter from a veterinarian is presented, certifying the dogs illness, the scorebook will be marked "pulled due to illness". The Judge has the right to disqualify a Handler on grounds of poor sportsmanship, carrying of motivational objects, violations against the trial regulations or animal protection rights or other ill-natured actions.

An entry in the scorebook must be made in any case, giving the reason for premature dismissal from the trial. In case of disqualification, all awarded points will be taken away.

The Handler must carry a leash throughout the entire trial. This includes that the dog must wear a simple, single-row, loose-fitting chain collar in the neutral position (dead ring) at all the times. Any other collar or additional collars (such as leather or tick-collars, etc.) are not permitted during the trial. The leash can be carried so it is invisible for the dog or the Handler can put the leash over his/her shoulder from top left to bottom right.

Verbal commands are brief orders given in a normal voice, consisting of one single word. The commands can be given in any language. The same command must be used for the same task at all times.

if several participants are entered at the same trial level, starting positions are to be determined through a draw.

- Trial Requirements

On the day of the trial the dog must have reached the required age. No exceptions are allowed.

IPO 1     18 months

IPO 2     19 months

IPO 3     20 months

IPO FH   20 months

All dogs, regardless of their size, breed or proof of pedigree are allowed to participate.

A Handler is allowed to show in one trial per day. A Handler is allowed to show no more than two dogs per trial. Dogs are only allowed to be exhibited in one trial per day. The LAO is allowed to determine a minimum number of participants for a trial.

Each degree level can be repeated as many times as desired. The examination levels are to be completed in sequence (level 1, 2, 3). A dog may only be shown at the next higher level upon passing the previous level. The age requirement must be taken into consideration. A dog must always be shown in the highest degree it has earned. An exception can be made in trials that are not connected with a qualification or ranking.

Bithches in season may participate in all events. However, they must be kept apart from the rest of the participants. They will be shown according to schedule in part A of the trial. In all other phases they will be placed at the end of the starting order. They will be shown at the end of the trial. Pregnant and nursing females are excluded from the trial.

Sick and contagious animals are excluded from all events.

- Temperament Test

Before any trial starts, prior to the first examination phase, the dogs must undergo an impartiality test (temperament test). Part of the temperament test is the identity-inspection (examination and verification of the tattoo-number, chip, etc.)

Dogs that do not pass the temperament test are exclude from further participation in the trial and must be disqualified. Owners of dogs that are micro chipped, are responsible for providing the neccessary equipment for the identity check.

The Judge will continue to evaluate the temperament throughout the entire trial. The Judge is obligated to immediately disqualify a dog from the trial if that dog shows a faulty temperament. An entry must be made in the scorebook, explaining the temperament fault. Dogs that were disqualified due to a temperament fault must be reported in writing to the appropriate committee of the LAO.

- Conduct of the temperament test

1. The temperament test must be performed under normal environment conditions in a neutral location for the dog.

2. Each dog will be presented to the Judge separately.

3. The dog is presented to the Judge on a regular leash. The leash must be held loosely.

4. The Judge must avoid any type of provocation. The Judge is not allowed to touch the dog.

- Evaluation:

• Positive response of the dog: The dog shows itself for example neutral, self-confident, sure, attentive, energetic, impartial.

• Still acceptable borderline cases: The dog is for example somewhat unstable, slightly nervous, slightly insecure. Such dogs still pass the temperament test but must be kept under close observation throughout the entire trial.

• Negative response og the dog or temperament fault: The dog is for example shy, insecure, nervous, gun-sensitive, out of control, botes, is aggressive (disqualification).

- Scoring System:

A performance is evaluated in points and ratings (qualification). The ratings (qualification) and corresponding points must reflect the quality of the performance.

Percentages:

Excellent     : minimum 96%

Very Good  : 90% - 95%

Good           : 80% - 89%

Satisfactory : 70% - 79%

Insufficient  : below 70%

Only whole points shall be given in the overall rating of each complete phase. Partial points may be given for individual exercises. When adding the points upon completion of each phase and the results does not consist of a whole number the points awarded may be rounded up or down, depending on the overall impression.

In case of a tie, the highest score in phase C prevails. Should there still be a tie the points in phase B shall prevail. Scores that coincide in all three phases shall be listed as an equal placing.

- Disqualification

If a dog leaves the Handler or the field during the examination and does not return upon recieving three commands, the dog will be disqualified.

All points given up to the time of disqualification will be taken away. No ratings (qualification) or points will be entered in the scorebook.

- Evaluation

A degree can only be awarded if a dog achieves at least 70% of the total points in each phase of a trial.

- Titles

The title of "International Working Champion" is awarded by the FCI after the Handler applied for it through his/her LAO. To be eligible for the title, the following requirements apply: two CACIT or alternatively one CACIT and two Reserve CACIT, seperated by at least one year and one day, earned in two different countries under two different Judges together with at least a "Very Good" at an FCI International Show.

The CACIT and RCACIT can be awarded at events sanctioned by the FCI. All LAO must be invited to a CACIT event. A minimum of two Judges must be invited, one of them being from a country different from the organisers' country. The awards are granted upon proposal of the Judges. The CACIT and RCACIT can only be awarded to dogs of breeds which apprear on the FCI Breed Nomenclature as non-hunting working breeds and which have earned an "Excellent" or "Very Good" in the test, in class IPO 3. The CACIT is not automatically linked to the placing achieved.

The awarding of the title of "National Working Champion" depends on the LAO.

- Scorebooks

Each participating dog must have a scorebook. The scorebook is issued according to the regulations of the Handler;s corresponding organization. Only one scorebook may be issued per dog. The organization issuing the scorebook is to be held responsible for this. The trial results must be entered in the scorebook under any circumstances. The Judges and, if there is a provision made in the scorebook, the Trail Chairperson must check the entry and verify the entry with his/her signature.

- Liability

The owner of a dog is liable for any personal injury or material damage caused by his/her dog. Therefore, the owner must have adewuate insurance. In case of an accident, the Handler is liable for himself/herself and his/her dog throughout the event. The Handler follows the instructions, given by the Judge and the organizer, on his/her own free will and executes the instructions on his/her own risk.

- Vaccinations

One request of the Judges or the trial secretary the Handler must provide proof of proper vaccination (vaccination certificate).

- Trial Supervision

The LAO is entitled to supervise. The LAO can assign a knowledgeable person to oversee an event to make certain the event is conducted in accordance with the regulations stated in the guidelines.

- TSB - Evaluation (applies to all examination levels)

The TSB-Evaluation should serve the purpose of describing a dog's character trades if the dog should be used for breeding purposes. The TSB-Evaluation does neither influence the trial result nor does it influence trial ranking. A dog must complete at least one protection exercise to recieve a TSB-Evaluation.

The ratings pronounced (a), present (vh) and not sufficient (ng) describe the following characteristics:

Triebveranlagung : Instinctive Behavior

Selbstsicherheit    : Self-Confidence

Belastbarkeit        : Ability To Cope

with stress.

TSB "pronounced" (pronounced):

Is given to a dog that shows strong willingness to work, clear instinctive behavior, determination in its performance, presents itself in a self-confident manner, pays undivided attention and is capable to cope with a servere amount of stress.

TSB "present" (present):

Is given to a dog that has limitations concerning its willingness to work, instinctive behavior, self-confidence, attentiveness and ability to cope with stress.

TSB "not sufficient" (not sufficient):

Is given to a dog with insufficient willingness to work, insufficient instinctive behavior, missing self-confidence and insufficient ability to cope with stress.

- Special Regulations

The LAO is entitled to expand (modify) general regulations for their area (country). For example rules concerning permints, veterinary requirements, animal protection decrees or sanitary regulations can be adjusted to a country's differences in legislation. Handlers may give verbal commands in their own language.

- World Championship

The rules and regulations stated in the "Pflichtenhefte" (Set of Spesifications) are in effect for the FCI World Championship. The Commission for Utiity Dogs is in charge of publishing and revising the "Pflichtenhefte" (Set of Spesifications).