IGP / Schutzhund
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) is the American Kennel Club (AKC) parent club for the German Shepherd and, through its SV Program, the U.S. representative of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV), the breed's German club, and the World Union of Shepherd Dogs (WUSV). GSDCA member clubs host IGP trials under the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Utility Dog Regulations with GSDCA's own national variances, alongside the parts of the SV breeding system: the breed survey (Körung), the character test (Wesensbeurteilung, WB) and SV conformation shows. To trial, the owner must be a GSDCA member and the dog needs a GSDCA scorebook. The program is built around German Shepherds, but GSDCA's posted 2025 trial results also list Malinois, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Boxers and mixed breeds.