The IPO and Schutzhund program are indeed dogsport-programs but more than this, they are meant to recognize, promote and preserve the characteristics of the working dog and can therefore be an important tool in breed selection. Also, many breeding regulations - as for instance the ZtP or similar breedsuitability tests - include exercises that are based on the protection part of the IPO-program. These programs allow us to preserve and demonstrate the character-traits of the utility dog in a perfectly socially acceptable manner.

An article on this issue can be found under the following link.

While many, especially north-European, countries have a long experience in these programs, this seems not to be the case for all member-countries of the IFR. Also, there is the observation that new training-methods are now being used that not only lead to better results but also seem much more acceptable in the nowadays view on how man and dog live together in modern society.

A correct, multi-purposed and modern education for IPO-helpers is therefore a necessity and can and should take into account the specific characteristics of the Rottweiler.

The IFR therefore decided to help promote the dogsport for the Rottweiler-amateur by organizing an annual seminar for IPO-helpers.

We have until now organized or supported several such seminars, always under the direction of Mr. J. Bungarten, a name known to us all, and these seminars have all been of high quality and guaranteed a very intensive and therefore thorough education !

Helpers from many countries received the certificate of having followed the course and all have witnessed that their participation has led to important insights and results in their clubs and countries. The seminar even drew spectators from non-IFR countries !

Please inform your members about this initiative and let us know as soon as possible if your club is interested and willing to send helpers to participate to this unique occasion to further educate and train Rottweiler-specialised IPO helpers.

Not only the sport but in the whole, the Rottweiler as a utility breed has to gain from this initiative ! 

More information and an entry form for this year's seminar can be found hereunder.

Annual seminar for IPO-helpers 2012 :

The seminar 2012 will take place from 15-17 June 2012 near the german city of Köln, more precisely : Berrenratherstrasse 92 50354 Hürth-Stotzheim, Germany.

The necessary accommodation for the seminar (training-field and dogs) will be provided for and lodging at low prices is available in nearby hotels (example hotel “Ibis” and others : http://www.accorhotels.com/de/hotel-2167-ibis-koeln-west-frechen/index.shtml )

Meals (breakfast and lunch) will also be provided at low cost at the trainingfield !

We await this confirmation and the names, adresses, etc ... of the participants by 15.03.2012. An entry form can be found hereunder.

The seminar will again be conducted by Mr. Bungarten.

We urge all member-clubs to confirm us that they are interested in participating the seminar and send us one or more helpers. There will be no fee for the participation to the seminar itself, but travel- and lodging-costs etc. … are paid by the participants or their clubs.

Please send this information to all your members by publication on your website and/or in your magazine, especially also to all those members that are active in dogsport.

As the number of participants is limited (!) a quick answer would be advised.

For more detailed information and help, you can contact mr. Bungarten directly by email joerg-bungarten@t-online.de.

We assure you that the IFR-board will see to it that the seminar will be organized in a correct way, will be more than worth the participation and will help us all to found a strong but sound and more uniform base for the worldwide Rottweiler breedselection and education. The Rottweiler deserves this, as we are sure you will agree.