The WGSDCA
The WGSDCA is focused on the importance of responsible dog ownership through training, education and hosting trials and seminars.
The organisation was formed in 1990. It is the largest and longest-standing organisation in Australia who is dedicated to the preservation of the German Shepherd Dog as a working animal. We have numerous clubs in Australia and New Zealand who offer IGP dogsport as well as other activities.
Board of Management
President
Sanne Pedersen
Sanne has been involved in IGP since 1992 and co-founder and Treasurer of Sydney Dogsport Club. She has trained and titled 12 dogs including 4 from BH to IGP3. She has competed at 11 WGSDCA National Championships and was the IGP3 Champion in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021 with 4 different dogs. She represented Australia at 3 WUSV World Championships. She has assisted in dogs gaining +20 titles.
Secretary
Natalie Woelfel
Natalie has been involved in IGP since 1992. She is a WGSDCA judge and started her Judging apprenticeship under SV Training judge, Herr. Stolpe. She judged at the 2013 and 2014 WGSDCA IGP National Championships. She has trained and titled 4 dogs to various levels, the most successful her GSD - 5x IGP3. She has held the position of Secretary with Dogsport New Zealand since it's inception in 1994.
Director of Judges
Reg Worth
Reg has been involved in IGP since 1990 and co-founder of and Training Director at Metro Dogsport Club. Reg is a WGSDCA & SV Foreign Trial judge and Teacher Helper. He assists with the development of future trial helpers. He has trained and titled 6 dogs including 4 IGP3 dogs and was the WGSDCA Grand National IPO3 champion in 2008 and 2015. He competed at the 2007 FMBB World Championship. He has assisted in dogs gaining 50+ titles.
Vice President
Amanda Parry
Amanda has worked in the professional working dog industry, specifically government agencies, as a handler and contracted trainer for +20 years. She has been involved in IGP since 2015. Amanda co-founded Valley Dogsport Club and is currently the president, training director and helper. She has trained and titled 2 dogs and currently working with her next competition dog, Valak. Amanda has assisted in dogs gaining +10 titles.
Treasurer
Clint Wehmeier
Clint has been involved in IGP Dogsport since 2015. He trains with the Metro Dogsport Club and is based in Rockhampton. He has titled several IGP Dogs over the years and has assisted many to progress in the sport. He also attained his WGSDCA helper license in 2021. Clint is also the WGSDCA Breed Warden and oversees our HD/ED Scheme with the DZG (Germany)
Contact Information
The German Shepherd Dog
The first German Shepherd dog, Horand von Grafrath, was registered in 1899 by Max von Stephanitz who also founded the SV. Efficiency test were introduced in 1903 to identify breed-worthy animals. These tests were a huge success. Civilians started to use the test as a recreational sport for the welfare of their GSDs and from that IGP dogsport were developed and the first vestige of today's GSD.
The first GSD arrived to Australian in 1904.
A versatile dog
Family, sport, service, guard, rescue, therapy, guide, herd dog.
The German Shepherd dog is a secure and self-confident, robust, natural, attentive, very resistant physically and mentally.It has a good and secure social behavior, gets along very well with humans and animals in the family environment after corresponding socialization. It is an active dog that needs regular exercise (walks, swimming, cycling, jogging, dog sports) in order to be balanced. One of the iconic characteristics of the German shepherd is its versatility: The GSD wants to be challenged and stimulated. The GSDs therefore need regular physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and fit. German Shepherds that are challenged and stimulated enough are more balanced in their nature, more obedient and satisfied.
Read more about the characteristics and attributes of a German Shepherd Dog here
Training
Training is absolutely necessary but do not expect too much from puppies too quickly.
It is not very difficult to educate a GSD, as the breed is indeed a very capable of working dog breed. Consistent, patience and understanding are basic requisites.
People who have never trained a dog before will understandably have many questions. It is not the dog that makes mistakes, does not want to learn or is disobedient - the problem is usually at the other end of the leash.
If a dog and handler are a well-rehearsed sportive team, they can prove themselves and be awarded working titles and participate in WGSDCA sanctioned trials.
IGP Dogsport
The IGP trained dog is not only more robust and healthier than inactive dogs, but also generally more balanced in their character as it is in the nature of working dog breeds to want to be challenged and stimulated.
A completely healthy, capable and sound dog is a requirement for IGP training.
Character traits such as self-confidence, drive predisposition (not to be confused with aggression) and pleasure in working must be a distinctive feature in the dog. Neither the training as a working dog nor the sport itself present a danger to others.
The sport focuses on developing and evaluating working traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners. The joy of the dogs in working with their handlers is evident to anyone who attends an IGP trial. Neither the training as a working dog nor the sport itself present a danger to others.
IGP Dogsport is adopted by many working-dog breed organisation for the well-being of such dogs owned by civilians. While primarily a recreational sport, it is also used to identify dogs suitable for breeding
The sport of IGP (International Prüfung Ordning) took its roots in Germany it the early 1900s. It was originally developed as a means to assess dogs' working abilities, intelligence and endurance. The world union of GSD (Weltunion der Schäferhunde (WUSV) was formed in 1968 by11 countries who aimed to promote international co-operation and to conserve uniformity of the breed. Today, more than 90 countries are affiliated with WUSV. The WGSDCA signed a cooperation contract with the WUSV February 2022 and we operate in pursuant to their Rules & Regulations. The annnual WGSDCA National Championship (June) is the qualifying event for Australian representation at WUSV World Championships. The first WUSV World Championship was held in 1998 and represents one of the largest highlights in the international working German Shepherd.
The sport is enjoyed by people of all ages and of varied professions who join together in camaraderie born of their common interest in working with their dogs.
Other breeds may also participate in the sport which was originally developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. In many countries the sport is used to identify dogs that have (or not) desired traits of working dogs: a strong desire to work, courage, intelligence, trainability, strong bond to the handler, protective instinct and sense of smell. The sport also tests for physical traits such as strength, endurance and agility.
IGP Dogs Know Their ABC
To get an IGP title, a dog has to pass three different disciplines: tracking, obedience and sleeve-work.
Each discipline is judged on a 100-point scale. Minimum passing score is 70 point for each discipline
(A) Tracking
The dog must retrace the path of a person (300-800 paces with 2-4 turns) after 20-60 minutes have elapsed and be able to find 2-3 lost articles.
(B) Obedience
Includes heeling, gun shots, sit, down, call-ins, retrievals, jumps, send-away. The dog is judged on attitude/level of enthusiasm and accuracy.
(C) Sleeve Work
A person wearing a padded sleeve helps with this discipline. (The Helper). The dog has to run hides to find the Helper. There are several simulated situations where the dog must show an ability to obey command.
