Glossary

• Obedience Titling

  Formal recognition earned by passing standardized obedience trials judged by an independent club or registry, distinct from informal claims.

• Protection Dog

  A dog trained to distinguish genuine threats from daily life and respond under full handler control, built on reliable obedience.

• Schutzhund (IGP/IPO)

  A three-phase dog sport (tracking, obedience, controlled work) testing working temperament, now formally titled IGP (previously IPO).

• Temperament Testing

  Controlled exposure of a dog to novel stimuli to score confidence and recovery, not just initial reaction, used to evaluate working suitability.

• Working-Line vs. Show-Line German Shepherd

  Working-line German Shepherds are bred for drive and trainability under pressure; show-line dogs are bred mainly to an appearance standard.