Lauren Bucksath is the youngest dogsport handler in Australia to have achieved IGP3 with a dog and has done so in only three years of training in the sport.
IGP (formerly known as IPO/Schutzhund) is a challenging three part sport (tracking, obedience and protection) which was originally designed as a breed test for the German Shepherd, and has grown in to a popular sport.
Lauren trains and competes with her dogs for the pure love of the sport.
Her beloved Xora was born and bred in Canungra and after spending some time with Queensland Corrective Services, was rehomed with Lauren at the young age of one.
Lauren says she and Xora began their IGP journey together at the beginning of 2019.
Together they have achieved the highest level in the sport six consecutive times, achieving the title for the sixth time at the Brisbane Sporting Dog Club Winter IGP Trial on 8 and 9 July 2023 under WGSDCA Judge, Mr Istvan Lakatos from Victoria.
At this event they were awarded: High In Trial overall, High In Trial Tracking, High In Trial Protection and Best IGP3, winning the trial with scores of 96 in tracking, 87 in obedience and 80 in protection (263 points overall).
The tracking phase of the trial was held at in Guanaba, while the obedience and protection phases were held in Nundah, Brisbane.
Xora is now six years old and she and Lauren are inseperable.
“At the beginning of our IGP journey together, we achieved our BH and IGP1 titles at the 2019 National when Xora was barely two years old,” says Lauren.
BH is a degree for traffic-safe companion dogs that tests the dog’s temperament and obedience.
“She first achieved her IGP3 title in 2021 at only four years of age where she won High In Trial with a total of 270 points.”
“Xora is a very special dog who would be South East Queensland’s top performing German Shepherd Dog in IGP.”
Xora and Lauren recently featured on the cover of Dogsport Magazine.
Xora will be compete for the World Qualifier at next year’s National.
