Working Dog Championship Results

Congratulations to the winners at the 2013 Working Dog Championship! Dog trainer Mike Diehl and his male German Shepherd Dog Irmus Galan Nalag took first place with an impressive score of 287 points and a protection score of 99 points, while Chris Kutelis and his Malinois Mecberger Hegel took a close second, also with 287 points and a protection score of 96 points. Chris and Hegel were also crowned the HOT Champions (HOT = Handler-Owner Trained).

The full list of the 2013 Working Dog Championship results show that Sean O’Kane and Max ze Stribrneho Kamene took 3rd, Debra Zappia and Iron von den Wolfen took 4th (but took 2nd place in the HOT Championship), and Ronnie Weiss and Zorro vom Haus Glitzernstern took 5th (and took 3rd place in the HOT Championship). Tom Gillies and Figo vom Fuchsgraben, a full brother to John Riboni’s Fera vom Fuchsgraben and previously John’s competition dog, placed 8th with a score of 279.

Strong Competition

There were many great competitors and dogs at this event, including Placer County Schutzhund Club’s Wendy Schmitt and her Doberman Eiko vom Landgraf, who turned in a solid 93-point obedience score and a respectable 87-point protection score, complete with Eiko’s characteristic rocket-fast long bite. Unfortunately, the tracking odds were not so favorable for Wendy, Eiko, and several other competitors in their tracking flight.

Eiko vom Landgraf on the long attack out of motion during the 2013 WDC. Photo courtesy of Wendy Schmitt.

Handler-Owner Trained Competitors

Of the top 10 dogs, 6 of them were Handler Owner Trained (meaning the handlers also own the dog and have trained the dog from BH all the way through IPO3, which is quite an accomplishment in itself!). Of the 36 IPO3 dogs competing, 27 of them were Handler Owner Trained. This is delightful to see at such a high level of competition!

Congratulations to all the competitors for their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanlike performances!