ARSA FAQs

What are the levels and phases of IPO-R (RH)?

FCI calls the levels V, A, and B. This is unfortunate, since the two phases are called A (search) and B (Obedience/Dexterity). V is considered an entry level. For IGP events a BH is required first but for IPO-R in the FCI system there is no requirement for a BH.

What options are there for search?

There are 6 options:

Tracking
Area search
Rubble search
Mantrailing
Avalanche search
Water rescue

Tracking, area search, and to a lesser extent mantrailing are regularly offered in trials. Due to host requirements rubble search is offered less often, and it’s rare to find a trial with avalanche search or water rescue.

What are the abbreviations for the different search options? (These are based on the German words for these activities.)

Tracking – F
Area Search – FL
Rubble - T
Mantrailing – MT
Avalanche - L
Water rescue - W

How do I find out if there are other people in my area interested in RH?

Write to the new club coordinator at arsa.clubs@gmail.com.

How do I join ARSA?

Go to https://www.searchandrescuesport.org/forms.html

I live outside the US. Can I join?

We would love to have individual members from any country. Due to our agreements with the FCI and AWDF clubs must be based in the US.

How many members do we need to start a club?

5 members to start, 3 to continue the second year.

I have a mixed breed/American Pit Bull Terrier/unrecognized breed/KNPV dog, can I get a scorebook through ARSA?

Yes.

Can all breeds participate?

Any dog regardless of pedigree (or lack thereof) may enter an ARSA club trial or ARSA championship.

Where can I get help/have someone help get me started?

Contact us about others that may be in your area and consider hosting a seminar. We have great resources in the US who can help you.

Can you explain the relationship among FCI, AWDF, and ARSA?

FCI is the top-level dog organization in the world. It is mainly a conformation organization (much like AKC) but it is involved in many sports. It partnered with IRO, the top search dog organization, to write a set of rules that members of both organizations follow. Those are the rules we follow in ARSA.

AWDF is a federation of working dog clubs in the US. FCI has accepted AWDF as the organization that can participate on three of the “commissions” that cover various sports – the Utility Dog Commission (IGP), the Mondio Commission, and the Rescue Dog Commission. That also means that AWDF can send participants to the championships FCI puts on in those 3 areas.

ARSA is a member of AWDF. Since AWDF accepts only one all-breed member club for each sport, that means that ARSA, through it’s annual championship, will pick the dog/handler teams that can go to the FCI rescue dog championship from the US.

Are there any official RH judges in the US?

No. ARSA imports FCI judges for its trials. USCA offers RH trials but the results are not recognized outside of USCA because the judges are not recognized by FCI.

I don't understand how RH legs/titles at USCA IPO-R and ARSA events work, can you clear this up?

ARSA hires IRO or FCI judges. Any legs/titles earned under one of those judges would be respected at a USCA IPO-R trial. USCA sometimes hires IRO/FCI judges, these legs/titles would be respected at ARSA IPO-R trials. If you have an ARSA earned V title, you may enter any USCA IPO-R trial even if you do not have a BH. (See page 14 of the rulebook.)

How are judging assignments handled?

Since there are no judges in the US that FCI recognizes as rescue sport judges, we must ask for judges from Europe or elsewhere. We can pick which one we want. We have to request judges through AWDF, the American Working Dog Federation, since FCI has designated them as the FCI liaison for working dog sports in the US.

Will ARSA use USCA RH judges?

No. Since USCA RH judges are not recognized by FCI, we can’t use them.

Are clubs required to offer both phases?

No, but both phases are required to earn an FCI recognized title.

In a trial, do I have to do both phases?

No, you can do one phase by itself. However, that does not earn you an FCI recognized title. To get a title you must pass both phases in one trial.

If I trial in just one phase, can I go on to the next level?

Yes, but only in the phase you trialed in. And if you trialed in Phase A, you can go on only in the scent option you passed.

Do I have to have a BH to trial in level V?

No. FCI considers level V an entry level that achieves the same objectives as a BH.

Can we host a trial without having a club?

ARSA would consider that. In part it would depend on whether you had all required equipment.

In the long down, are you right next to the dog? How far away from the working dog are you?
You are 40 steps away from your dog. The exact distance to the working dog will depend on the field setup, which in turn depends on the judge. However it’s likely the working dog will be at least 10 feet away.

In a trial, do I really have to carry my dog? What if I’m not strong enough?

All three levels require that a dog be carried. If you can’t carry your dog someone else can carry him for you, with no loss of points.

Do you have to trial more than once to get a title?

No. However, if you want to go on to level B, you must pass level A twice.

How can I qualify for the IRO world championship?

You need to score at least "good" (240 points) at a level B test under an IRO or FCI judge.

https://www.iro-dogs.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Ausbildung/2024_WCH_Qualification_Mode.pdf

The IRO championship is for any dog regardless of pedigree/mix and intact/neuter status.

What international championships are there for IPO-R?

FCI hosts TEAM and INDIVIDUAL Championships, on alternating years. Entry in the individual championship requires a B level. Entry in the team championship is open to A level also.

IRO hosts a Championship for the B level.

The FMBB (Malinois/Belgium Shepherd) has recently started offering IPO-R at their world championship.

Will ARSA competitors be eligible to compete in international championships?

Yes. We can send entries, through AWDF, to the FCI championship.

What kind of dog would (breed/temperament) excel in this sport?

A dog should be comfortable with unusual obstacles in the environment. He needs to be active with decent stamina and good physical condition. He needs to have good food or play drive, or both, so you can reward him effectively. He can't be over-the-top with dog or people aggression, because he will have to work close to both. He needs to be able to get up onto a 60cm high table. If you have a question about a particular characteristic, write and ask us.

What is the size of the retrieve dumbbell?

The retrieve does not use a dumbbell, it uses a “personal item.” Typical items include a wooden brush, a plastic flashlight, a small cloth or plastic case (maybe a small first aid kit), a shoe, a wallet. Not metal. In level A, you will be offered 3 articles and you pick one. In B, the judge selects the article. So you need to train your dog with many different articles.

Is it a thrown retrieve or a placed retrieve?

Thrown retrieve.

Are gun shots part of the obedience?