Hey {{first_name}} , it's Gerald.

Welcome to All World Doberman Insider! The first issue.

Most US breeders have historically chased IGP titles for marketing. But in Europe, there's a different standard that matters more; and most Americans have never paid attention to it.

It's called the Zuchttauglichkeitsprüfung (ZTP). A European judge I spent time with at the IDC World Championship told me something that changed how I view breeding entirely: "For assessing breed standard and character, ZTP is valued higher and considered more important than IGP."

The judge explained it clearly: "ZTP is a complete test providing a clear picture of the dog's character. It assesses conformation correctness, behavior in different situations, and performance during bite work."

That's the difference. IGP tests one thing at a time in controlled conditions. ZTP evaluates the complete dog under real pressure.

The judge emphasized something crucial: "The ZTP is administered by a selected number of judges according to a strict calendar. We all evaluate the same way."

Group pressure - When strangers rapidly close in and tightly surround your dog, the reaction is instinctive. Confident dogs stay calm. Nervous dogs break regardless of obedience training.

Isolation test - Tied alone, handler out of sight, stranger approaching. No commands available. No handler reassurance. The dog either has independent stability or doesn't. Five minutes reveals what years of training can't mask.

Surprise aggression - Unlike IGP where the dog knows the helper, the equipment, the routine, ZTP presents frontal threats the dog hasn't practiced for. Real protective instinct shows itself. Or it doesn't.

No training crutches - Official regulations state: "No dog may wear a spike collar during the entire test." Remove the correction tool. See the actual dog.

Dogs that fail twice are permanently classified "Not Fit for Breeding." No third chances. No appeals.

ZTP exists in America. Doberman clubs run them. But here's where it breaks down:

AKC-sponsored ZTP → appears on pedigrees
Club-run ZTP → disappears into informal records

A dog could pass legitimate character evaluation at a Doberman club event. But that documentation never reaches official records. Meanwhile, a nervous dog with IGP3 gets marketed as premium breeding stock because those titles appear on paper.

The result: American breeding decisions prioritize what's documented (titles, scores) over what matters (character stability).

European programs require ZTP before breeding consideration. In Germany, both parents must have passed ZTP before their puppies can even take the test. This creates generational verification of character stability.

America has no such requirement. Character testing is optional. And it shows in the dogs we're producing.

Let's talk reality.

Breeding without character verification:

You produce puppies from impressive pedigrees. Buyers pay premium prices. Then reality hits. Puppies wash out of training. Fear aggression appears. They can't handle normal pressure. Your reputation suffers. Returns happen. Future litters lose value.

Breeding with ZTP verification:

Your puppies come from parents with documented stable character. Educated buyers recognize solid genetics. Puppies handle training pressure. They develop into confident adults. Your reputation grows. Referrals increase. Future litters command premium prices because the market knows you produce quality.

The judge put it simply: "Kennels that maintain high-level consistency over 15-20 years don't skip character testing. Ever."

If you're producing Dobermanns for serious working homes or breeding programs, ZTP participation isn't optional anymore.

Educated buyers are learning to ask: "Does this dog have ZTP?" That question matters more than "What IGP scores?" because one proves character and one proves training.

The European standard is clear: Test natural character under pressure before breeding. If the dog shows nervousness, fear, or instability, don't breed it regardless of titles. If the dog demonstrates confident, stable character, then evaluate health, structure, and working ability.

Character is genetic. Training can't create it. ZTP verifies it before breeding decisions happen.

As the judge told me: "You can train a nervous dog to perform IGP exercises. You cannot train away nervous genetics. That's why ZTP comes first."

IGP evaluates training achievement.
ZTP evaluates breeding suitability.

Both have value. Only one should determine which dogs reproduce.

European judges rank ZTP higher than IGP for breeding decisions because it reveals the complete dog—conformation, character under multiple pressures, and natural protective instinct.

Until American breeders adopt the same standard, the gap between European and American bloodlines will widen.

The question isn't whether character testing is necessary. Europe settled that decades ago.

The question is whether American breeders will prioritize verified character over marketable titles.

Your program's reputation depends on the answer.

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