Redirect 3.5% of your income tax to support us!
Handler and shepherd dog on the trial field, the judge with the score sheet in the background

Mantrailing Romania guide

FCI dog exams, explained in plain language

FCI exams are the working trials recognised in every member country of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, run under one common rulebook (FCI-IGP, edition valid from 1 January 2025). In Romania they are organised by the Romanian Kennel Club (A.Ch.R.), the FCI member, through its affiliated clubs. Here you will find what each exam contains, from what age it can be taken, which prerequisites apply and how it is scored, with a link to the official regulations.

See the exams Official regulations

FCI-IGP

What are FCI exams?

The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) is the world federation of national kennel clubs. Besides breed standards and conformation shows, the FCI sets the regulations for working trials: utility dogs (IGP), tracking dogs, obedience, agility, mondioring and rescue dogs (together with the IRO). A title earned at an FCI trial is valid in every member country and is entered in the dog's scorebook and pedigree.

The rulebook that matters here is the FCI-IGP (International Utility Dog Regulations). It covers the companion dog test BH, the obedience tests IBgH 1-3, the full utility trials IGP 1-3 (tracking, obedience, protection), the tracking trials IFH 1-3 and IGP-FH, the single-phase trials FPr, UPr, SPr, GPr, the article search (StöPr 1-3) and the endurance test (IAD).

They all share one entry point: the BH. Without a passed companion dog test no other FCI-IGP trial can be entered. We ask the same at Mantrailing Romania before the IRO test: the BH proves that the dog is steady in traffic, around people and around other dogs.

The order in which the exams are taken

Dog heeling on leash beside its handler on a park path, passing a group of people and a cyclist
STEP 01

BH - from 12 months. The entry ticket; nothing else can follow without it.

Dog sitting attentively beside its handler on a grass training field, a wooden dumbbell in front
STEP 02

IBgH 1, 2, 3 - from 15 months, obedience only. The right path for companion dogs that will not do protection work.

Dog searching off leash in tall grass for a small article, the handler at a distance on the centre line
STEP 03

FPr, UPr, SPr, GPr, StöPr, IAD - the single-phase and specialised trials, between 15 and 18 months, can be taken straight after the BH, at any level.

Shepherd dog on a long line working a track on ploughed ground, the start flag in the background
STEP 04

IGP 1 → 2 → 3 - from 18, 19 and 20 months, in order, each level conditional on the previous one.

Tracking dog on a misty morning meadow at the end of a 10-metre line, the handler far behind
STEP 05

IFH 1 → 2 → 3 → IGP-FH - the tracking trials, also in order, from 18, 19, 20 and 20 months.

FCI-IGP 2025

The exams, one by one

Each page explains what the exam contains, who can enter, how it is scored and what you need to know when signing up, with a link to the official regulations.

IGP 1-3 - the full utility dog trials

Three phases, 100 points each: tracking (A), obedience (B), protection (C). From 18, 19 and 20 months, in order, after the BH.

  • Minimum age18 / 19 / 20 months
  • PrerequisiteBH; then the previous level

Details

IFH 1-3 and IGP-FH - the tracking trials

Tracking only, in three levels plus IGP-FH: from 800 to 1,800 paces, tracks aged 90 to 180 minutes. From 18 months, after the BH.

  • Minimum age18 / 19 / 20 / 20 months
  • PrerequisiteBH; then the previous level

Details

FPr, UPr, SPr and GPr 1-3 - the single-phase trials

IGP phases taken separately: tracking (FPr), obedience (UPr), protection (SPr) or obedience + protection (GPr). No working title. From 15 or 18 months, after the BH.

  • Minimum age15 months (FPr, UPr) · 18 months (SPr, GPr)
  • PrerequisiteBH

Details

IAD - the endurance test

20 km trotting beside a bicycle at 12-15 km/h, with three breaks checked by the judge. No points: passed or not passed. From 16 months, after the BH.

  • Minimum age16 months
  • PrerequisiteBH

Details

Rules common to all FCI-IGP trials

  • The minimum age must be reached on the day of the trial; there are no exceptions.
  • The temperament evaluation and identity check (microchip or tattoo) take place before every trial, in a neutral place; an insecure, aggressive or biting dog is not admitted.
  • The scorebook and the vaccination record are presented at entry; owner and handler must belong to a club of the national organisation (A.Ch.R. may make exceptions only for the BH).
  • One trial per day per dog and one title per event (exception: BH plus a level-1 trial within the same two-day event).
  • Passing: at least 70% of the points in every phase; levels are taken in order (1, 2, 3) and any level may be repeated as often as wished.
  • Aggression towards other dogs means disqualification at any time during the event, all points are withdrawn and the BH has to be repeated.
  • Females in heat may take part but work last and separately.
  • Doping: sick, injured or medicated dogs are not admitted; tests may be carried out.

A.Ch.R.

How FCI exams are run in Romania

Trials are organised by the A.Ch.R. and its affiliated clubs, with FCI working judges. The competition calendar and the Romanian translations of the regulations are published on the A.Ch.R. website; entries go through the organising club, with the dog's scorebook and pedigree.

At Mantrailing Romania we prepare teams for the BH, the first step, and guide them on towards the tracking and rescue dog trials: the BH is our prerequisite before the IRO test. Whenever there is an exam session we take part in or host, we announce it under Events.

Events and exams The IRO Mantrailing test

Other FCI disciplines, with separate regulations

Obedience (classes 1-3), Agility and Mondioring have their own FCI regulations, also translated by the A.Ch.R. We describe them on our dog sports pages, with the data from the regulations:

FCI Obedience FCI Agility FCI Mondioring

Rescue dogs (RH) are tested under the joint FCI-IRO regulations. The IRO Mantrailing test, with levels V, A and B, is described on our pages:

IRO Mantrailing IRO obedience and dexterity IRO mantrailing test

Official regulations

Every figure on these pages comes from the documents below. The regulations are what counts on trial day.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions about FCI exams

What are FCI exams?

Working trials with a single international rulebook (FCI-IGP), recognised in every FCI member country. In Romania they are organised by the A.Ch.R. and its affiliated clubs. They cover BH, IBgH, IGP, IFH/IGP-FH, the single-phase trials FPr/UPr/SPr/GPr, article search and the endurance test.

Which FCI exam comes first?

The BH, the companion dog test with a traffic part. It is the prerequisite for every other FCI-IGP trial and, with us, before the IRO test.

Can any dog take FCI exams?

Yes: the regulations admit all registered dogs regardless of breed, size or origin, provided they can be identified by microchip or tattoo and have reached the minimum age. The judge decides whether the dog is physically fit.

Where are FCI exams held in Romania?

At A.Ch.R.-affiliated clubs, in sessions announced in the A.Ch.R. competition calendar. Mantrailing Romania announces the sessions it takes part in under Events.

How much do you need to pass?

At least 70% of the points in every phase (for example 70 out of 100 in each IGP phase). Ratings: excellent from 96%, very good 90-95%, good 80-89%, satisfactory 70-79%.

Start with the BH.

We prepare teams for the companion dog test, the first step towards any FCI title and our prerequisite before the IRO test.

The BH test Contact us