The Right Dog for IPO
Snapshot/still from the USCA Nationals video. Photo: Martin Barrow's "Inigo" with Don Yelle, taken by Brian Aghajani.
“Courage is probably the single most important characteristic of a Schutzhund dog.” -Dietmar Schellenberg, TOP Working Dogs
What makes a dog a good candidate for IPO? Which breeds do best in this sport? How do you find a good dog for the work? The new handler is faced with many questions about one of the most important players in Schutzhund: the dog. It takes a certain kind of dog to succeed in IPO. So where to begin?
Characteristics of IPO Dogs
First: there is no such thing as a perfect IPO dog! Every dog will have strengths, weaknesses, and a unique mix of character traits that make up its genetic temperament. However, there are general characteristics that are considered ideal in a Schutzhund dog. Regardless of breed, the Schutzhund/IPO dog should have:
a stable character
high trainability
a desire to work with and for the handler (biddability)
drive and desire for the work (work ethic)
some level of natural aggression and protective instinct
Additionally, they should be relatively easy to motivate, with an interest in food (food drive), interest in playing with and chasing toys and ball (prey drive), and a natural desire to bite their "prey" with a full, strong grip. The best dogs also have a strong "fighting" instinct that is directed at their adversary; they enjoy the fight, just like a pugilist enjoys a boxing match. Most importantly, however, the IPO dog should show a courageous and resilient character, with an ability to cope with and think clearly under stress.
Which Breeds Work Best?
Nothing opens up a can of worms faster than posting which breed you think is THE BEST for Schutzhund! Each breed brings positive and negative attributes to the table; thus, selecting a breed really is a matter of determining which matches your personal preference, lifestyle, and goals.
Schutzhund initially was developed for the German Shepherd Dog, but many other breeds show an aptitude for it, including Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervueren, Bouvier de Flandres, Boxers, Briards, Dobermans, Dutch Shepherds, Giant Schnauzers, Rottweilers, and more. Several unconventional IPO breeds include the Airedale Terrier, American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Cane Corso Italiano, and Hovawart. Mixed breeds can and do compete in IPO as well.
Which breed is right for you? If you have not already determined this, then investigate several different breeds, research their characteristics , and talk with individuals who own that breed and who compete in IPO. This cannot be emphasized enough: find people who compete with the breed you like, and get the details on what it's like to train this breed of dog, compete with it, and live with it! Spend time around these dogs, and determine if this breed is ideal for you.
The Big Four
The four most popular breeds for IPO are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. The general characteristics, pros, and cons of each breed are discussed below. Of course, while these apply to many individuals in the breed, exceptions to these generalized characteristics can easily be found.
The working representatives of the breeds below differ from those found in the pet home. The working dogs have a more athletic conformation, a stronger temperament with natural aggression, and better energy and enthusiasm for the work. The individual dogs that excel in IPO typically come from bloodlines with a history of performance, and descend back over dogs bred to the European standards--even if bred in the United States. These standards require that numerous criteria be met before the dogs are bred, such as achieving a conformation rating, working title, breed survey, and standard health tests for the breed.
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
Beth Bradley's "Fyte" after his stellar performance that earned him the title of 2016 USCA IPO3 National Champion. Photo: Brian Aghajani.
Pros:
Intelligent and trainable
Versatile, athletic and energetic
Natural tracker
Biddable, eager to work with handler
Well-rounded and balanced temperament, emotionally stable
Good family companion
Resilient and forgiving of handler mistakes
Doesn't bore easily in training
Body style allows dog to work in a wide variety of weather conditions
High stamina and endurance
Cons:
Several different "types" of GSDs requires the buyer to educate themselves extensively prior to purchase
So much hair!
Can be strong-willed and push boundaries
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common, even in litters from tested parents
The 'longer than tall' structure predisposes them to spinal injuries in the sport
Can have large variability in temperament within the breed, sometimes even within a litter
Common health problems (* = ones that can be tested prior to breeding)
Hip Dysplasia*
Elbow Dysplasia*
Transitional Vertebrae*
Degenerative Myelopathy*
Cauda Equina
Skin and allergy problems
Digestive problems (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, poor assimilation, Bloat)
BELGIAN MALINOIS
Tim Karchnak's "Goose" with Weston Kester at the 2016 AWDF Championship. Photo: Brian Aghajani.
Pros:
Intelligent and highly trainable
Very energetic with seemingly unlimited energy
Driven and motivated to work with the handler
Fast, agile, and athletic
Sensitive to the handler
Resilient and forgiving of handler mistakes
Doesn't bore easily in training
Body style allows dog to work in a wide variety of weather conditions
High stamina and endurance
High bite satisfaction, which makes receiving the "bite" an extremely strong reward
Has yet to gain favor as a "pet" dog
Cons:
Nerve strength and environmental soundness can be an issue ("spooky" dogs)
Too sensitive, can lack resilience
Tightly wound and cannot relax
Can be difficult to live with due to inability to "settle"
Can be hectic in the work due to extremely high levels of drive with thinner nerve
Less balance in overall temperament
Barking issues in protection
High bite satisfaction often means food and toy are less-satisfying motivators
Can have difficulty with tracking
Emotionally sensitive, can be disturbed easily in times of stress
Common health problems (* = ones that can be tested prior to breeding)
Hip Dysplasia*
Elbow Dysplasia*
Skin problems/allergies
ROTTWEILER
Kathleen Sanderson's "Warik" at the 2015 AWDF Championship. Photo: Brian Aghajani.
Pros:
Strong and powerful dogs
Sensitive and affectionate
Intelligent
Perpetually smiling on the field, big clowns
Generally good-natured dogs
Natural defensive aggression
Good companions with an ability to "settle" in the home
Think they are your lap dog
Cons:
Repetition bores them
Long memories for negative stimuli
Can be less forgiving of handler mistakes
Lower stamina and endurance
Body style puts them at risk of overheating
Willfull and stubborn
Slower to mature
Common health problems (* = ones that can be tested prior to breeding)
Cancer
Hip dysplasia*
Elbow dysplasia*
Cardiac problems*
Bloat
Cranial Cruciate Ligament tears and ruptures
DOBERMAN
Not a coonhound! Wendy Schmitt's Doberman "Asta" with Weston Kester. Asta has natural ears and tail. Photo courtesy of: Wendy Schmitt.
Pros:
Highly intelligent
"Thinking" dogs
Biddable and sensitive to the handler
High trainability
Affectionate with their handlers
Good companions with a great "off" switch and ability to settle
Natural sharpness
High fight satisfaction - brings natural "fight" to the helper
Very little hair
Cons:
Thinking dogs - sometimes it's easier to train a dog that performs a task without as much thought
Can be overly sensitive or overly sharp
Long memories for negative stimuli
Less forgiving of handler and helper mistakes
Can have a difficult time with change
Not as well-adapted for cold environment
Emotionally sensitive, can be disturbed easily in times of stress
Common health problems (* = ones that can be tested prior to breeding)
Cardiac problems*
Cancer
Bleeding disorders*
Allergies
Hopefully this guides you toward the right breed for you! Join us again next blog to discuss the decisions a handler faces when looking for the right dog. Puppy or adult? Male or female? Domestic or import?
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