Lauren - owner/handler/trainer with Xora, IGP3 x 6 (pictured)
Congratulations to this top working team: Lauren Bucksath and her beautiful working line GSD Xora, (pedigree name ‘Almost Legal’) who recently achieved their IGP title for the 6th time in a row!

IGP stands for “International Gebauchshund Profung”: it is a dog sport that ensures that working breeds continue to function as strong, all-round utility dogs. IGP encompasses three disciplines: tracking, obedience and character work. The sport originated in the late 1800’s, specifically for GSDs to ensure that the breed working standard was maintained. IGP really tests the handler’s and dog’s skills and genetics, and also teaches us so much about canines; their drives, predicting and reading body language. 
IGP is an important sport because many of these trained dogs are either bought for or used for breeding programs in the police, military, special services, etcetera. IGP is not easy and takes a lot of time, precision training and teamwork, especially for the higher and more difficult levels. The entry level test is BH (a ‘good citizen’ test for the dog) and once passed, the dog is permitted to compete for IGP titles. You can choose to compete in the full program (all 3 phases of IGP=IGP levels 1-3) or specific phases. IGP3 is the highest level of the sport and the most prestigious title to attain.
Xora was rehomed to Lauren as a “washed” young dog who had not long turned 12 months old. Ideally, most trainers seek a malleable 8-week-old pup to begin training with – “a clean slate.” Lauren began training IGP in her early twenties, just four years ago. Only a month after, the team attaining their BH, they then achieved their IGP1 title at the WMA Nationals with Xora barely two years of age. In 2020 they achieved their IGP2 title and obtained their first IGP3 title in 2021. Since then, Lauren and Xora have accumulated six IGP3 titles in a row under four separate judges (both international SV and Australian judges) in QLD and interstate with many of those being High-in Trial.
The team qualified to compete at IGP3 at the 2022 WGSDCA Nationals, which was a World Qualifier. Most recently in July this year they entered the BSDC trial under an interstate judge and achieved; 96 points in tracking, 87 points in obedience and 80 points in character work (totalling 263 points) where Lauren and Xora were awarded High-in-Trial overall, High-in-trial tracking, Helper’s choice protection and Best IGP3!
Pam Brandis
Dip. Canine.Prac.