What does IGP stand for?
Internationale Gebrauchshunde-Prüfung: the FCI international utility dog trial, with three phases (tracking, obedience, protection), the successor of IPO and Schutzhund.
FCI-IGP trial
IGP 1-3: the full FCI utility dog trials
IGP (Internationale Gebrauchshunde-Prüfung) is the "complete" FCI trial: three phases on the same day, A - tracking, B - obedience and C - protection, 100 points each. It is taken in three levels, in order, from 18, 19 and 20 months, and requires a passed BH. It is the reference trial for working breeds and the basis of breed survey titles.
What is the IGP trial?
IGP is the successor of the IPO and Schutzhund trials: a test of the utility dog as a whole. In a single day the team works a track, performs the obedience routine (with two gunshots during free heeling, to test gunshot sureness) and goes through the protection exercises with the helper. At every level the dog must achieve at least a satisfactory rating (70 points) in all three phases.
The three levels grow in difficulty across all phases: a longer and older track, harder obedience exercises (retrieve over the hurdle and the scaling wall, stand out of a run), more protection exercises including the back transport and the attack out of the back transport at IGP 3.
Who can enter and from what age
- IGP 1: 18 months and a passed BH;
- IGP 2: 19 months and a passed IGP 1;
- IGP 3: 20 months and a passed IGP 2;
- levels are taken in order, but any level may be repeated as often as wished; the dog is shown at the highest level passed (exception: out of competition);
- handler and owner must belong to an A.Ch.R.-affiliated club.
Phase A - tracking
| IGP 1 | IGP 2 | IGP 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracking leash | 5 m | 10 m | 10 m |
| Tracklayer | the handler (own track) | a stranger | a stranger |
| Length | min. 300 paces | min. 400 paces | min. 600 paces |
| Legs / corners | 3 / 2 (~90°) | 3 / 2 (~90°) | 5 / 4 (~90°) |
| Articles | 3 own, 3 × 7 points | 3 strange, 3 × 7 points | 3 strange, 3 × 7 points |
| Track age | min. 20 min | min. 30 min | min. 60 min |
| Working time | max. 15 min | max. 15 min | max. 20 min |
Articles measure 10 × 2-3 × 0.5-1 cm, of different materials, carried for at least 30 minutes in the tracklayer's pocket. Indication may be lying, sitting, standing or by picking up the article; the article must lie between or directly in front of the front paws.
Phase B - obedience
| Exercise | IGP 1 | IGP 2 | IGP 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free heeling (with 2 gunshots) | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Sit out of motion | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Down with recall | 10 (out of a walk) | 10 (out of a walk) | 10 (out of a run) |
| Stand out of motion | - | 10 (walk, handler returns) | 10 (run, with recall) |
| Retrieve on the flat | 15 | 10 | 10 |
| Retrieve over the 1 m hurdle | 15 (2 jumps, no retrieve) | 15 (with retrieve) | 15 (with retrieve) |
| Scaling wall 160 cm | 15 (one climb, no retrieve) | 10 (one climb, no retrieve) | 10 (there and back, with retrieve) |
| Send out with down | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Down under distraction | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Source: A.Ch.R., FCI-IGP 1-3 regulations 2025, "Phase B - Obedience". Dumbbell weight on the flat: 650 g at IGP 1, 1,000 g at IGP 2, 2,000 g at IGP 3. A gun-shy dog is disqualified.
Phase C - protection
| Exercise | IGP 1 | IGP 2 | IGP 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search for the helper | 5 (2 blinds) | 5 (4 blinds) | 10 (6 blinds) |
| Hold and bark | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Prevention of attempted escape | 20 | 15 | 10 |
| Defence against an attack from the guarding phase | 30 | 20 | 15 |
| Back transport | - | 5 | 5 |
| Attack on the dog out of the back transport | - | - | 15 |
| Attack on the dog out of motion | 30 | 20 | 15 |
| Defence against an attack from the guarding phase (second) | - | 20 | 15 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Source: FCI-IGP 2025, "Examination levels FCI-IGP-1 to IGP-3". The judge pays particular attention to self-assurance, power and a full, calm grip; a dog that does not out on command or cannot be brought under control is disqualified.
Points and ratings
Each phase carries 100 points, 300 in total. The trial is passed with at least 70 points in every phase. The overall rating is given on the total of the three phases, according to the scale below.
| Rating | Share of points | Out of 100 | Out of 300 (IGP 1-3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 96-100% | 96-100 | 286-300 |
| Very good | 90-95% | 90-95 | 270-285 |
| Good | 80-89% | 80-89 | 240-269 |
| Satisfactory | 70-79% | 70-79 | 210-239 |
| Insufficient | below 70% | 0-69 | 0-209 |
What the trial day looks like
- temperament evaluation and microchip check in a neutral place;
- the running order is drawn by lot after the tracks have been laid; from IGP 2 the handler and dog may not watch the track being laid;
- phase A on natural ground (meadow, field, forest), then B and C on the trial field; dogs work in pairs in obedience (one performs, the other is in the long down);
- at least 4 participants per day; a judge may judge at most 36 phases a day;
- the result (points, rating, any disqualification) is entered in the scorebook.
How this relates to mantrailing
Phase A of the IGP is classic tracking: the dog follows the laid track footstep by footstep, nose down, and indicates the articles. In mantrailing the dog searches for one specific person by their scent, regardless of the route. They are different disciplines, but the principles of scent work, the long line and reading the dog carry over, and many of our dogs work well in both. For teams that want tracking only, without protection, there are the IFH trials and the single-phase FPr.
Official regulations
The figures on this page come from the documents below; on trial day the text of the regulations is what counts.
- A.Ch.R. - FCI-IGP 1-3 regulations, Romanian translation (PDF)
- FCI - International Utility Dog Regulations 2025 (PDF)
Related pages
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a dog take IGP 1?
From 18 months, with a passed BH. IGP 2 from 19 months and IGP 3 from 20 months, each after the previous level.
How many points are needed to pass?
At least 70 out of 100 in each of the three phases. The maximum total is 300; "excellent" starts at 286.
Are gunshots fired?
Yes, two 6 mm calibre shots during free heeling in phase B. A gun-shy dog is disqualified and loses all points.
Do I have to do protection to get an FCI title?
No. For obedience there is IBgH 1-3, for tracking IFH 1-3 and IGP-FH, and the phases can also be taken separately as FPr, UPr or SPr, without a working title.
Start with the BH.
Every FCI-IGP trial starts from the companion dog test. We prepare teams for it and guide them onwards.