NEWS

TOP 1) Formalities
1.1. Greetings Dr. Wolfgang Tauber, head judge and WUSV-Vice President welcomes the party present opens the meeting at 10.00 hours and introduces the new attendants to the meeting, Mr. Hartmut Setecki from Augsburg/ Germany, general manager of the SV and newly appointed manager of the WUSV, Mr. Wilfried Tautz from Kleinkühren/ Germany, federal training warden of the SV, and Ms. Helga Seidel, secretary to the WUSV and keeper of the minutes.

1.2. Attendance – see list attached

TOP 2) Review of the WUSV-World Championship 22.09. to 27.09.2015

2.1. Report of the Head Judge, Dr. Wolfgang Tauber, Vice President WUSV

Dr. Tauber provides a summary and review of the WUSV World Championship 2015 and praises the high quality of the organization by this year’s host, the SPL-Saksanpaimenkoiraliitto ry of Finland, which made the event outstanding and second to none. The competition was indeed trend-setting for future WUSV Championships. He further on reports that 190 people were involved in the preliminary work of the organization. He points out that there were two major problems pending during the concourse of the championship. The first one was a negative analysis of blood samples as taken from a couple of dogs. Four out of five samples revealed that the documents previously presented were falsified and he suggests that sanctions shall be taken against Ukraine, the country affected and involved. The second problem was posed by the Japanese team. Despite an agreement regarding the future cooperation of the three clubs in Japan that was concluded and mutually signed on the occasion of the BSZ/ Federal Conformation Show in Nuremberg in September 2015 again problems arose between the three clubs present in Finland in terms of the selection of the dogs who were supposed to compete on this occasion. It turned out that one of the dogs ultimately chosen was ill. This conduct was irresponsible towards the country, the institution of the Championship and last but not least towards the dog affected. After an examination as carried out the by official veterinary the dog needed to be disqualified and banned from the games. Dr. Tauber informs the party present that next year a fair qualification trial will be expected by all three Japanese clubs. If that requirement won’t be coped with sanctions will be imposed on all three of them as a consequence. He uses the opportunity to once again point out the requirements in terms of the qualification trials to be held by every country prior to the Championship and reminds the captains present that is was crucial to select capable and well experienced judges on those occasions in order to ensure that only the best and healthy dogs will be sent to the event. Dr. Tauber once again praises the high standard and quality of the stadium in Lahti. He reminds the attendants that it is crucial to have self-confident dogs who work well with their handlers in order to guarantee the success of the event. At the same time he points out that the demands in terms of the tracking work will be further raised in the years to come. He then passes the word on to the respective judges.
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2.2. Judge Report of Section A/ Tracking/ Mr. Josef Schallegruber, Austria

Mr. Schallegruber once again gives thanks for the honor of being assigned to the office and likewise praises the outstanding quality of the event. He gives thanks to Dr. Tauber in particular. He reports that the tracking area was very well prepared and he gives thanks to the entire team. He reminds the party present that only dogs who are motivated shall be encouraged and supported to take part in the games and that the animals shall not be forced into performance and achievement. For future events a higher standard still needs to be obtained and a pro-active behavior of the track seeking dogs is desired. He encourages the team captains to particularly watch out for dogs who show that kind of personality and skills. Following this he presents the results of section A: A total of 105 handlers competed out of which - 22 failed - 21 were rated efficient - 33 were rated good - 21 were rated very good - 08 were rated excellent

2.3. Judge Report of Section B/ Obedience/ Mr. Günther Diegel, Germany

Mr. Diegel gives thanks for the honor of being assigned as a judge to the WUSV Championship and praises the excellent work of the Finish Club. He stresses the importance of pro-active work and enthusiasm for the work that is required by both dogs and handlers. He thanks the junior judge, Mr. Juha Puurunen from Finland, and the other main judges for the good cooperation throughout the event. He also gives thanks to the teams and helpers. He praises the German Shepherd Dog as the best working dog on a worldwide level. He emphasizes the importance of a well-balanced training, a sound mixture out of love, trust and force, support and demand. The dog first of all needs to understand what he is required to learn. The success of the training is of instrumental importance for the breed in general. He gives a brief lecture on the field of attention and the respective definition hereof. He stresses once again the importance of the relationship between the dogs and their respective handlers. He points to a problem regarding the hurdles which are not only health related but do also arise during the training sessions. Also, he stresses the importance of the motivation of the handlers during the events. Following this he presents the results of section B: - 03 failed - 19 satisfactory - 38 sufficient - 29 very good - 08 excellent

2.4. Judge Report of Section C/ Defense Work/ Mr. Josef Vonarburg, Switzerland

Mr. Vonarburg reports that his assignment was a short term decision and he gives thanks for the trust that was shown in his expertise. He praises his helpers that ensured his successful judging. In total 109 dogs were presented to him out of which 08 were disqualified. He noted that the quality of the training and skills of the dogs did considerably improve since the years 2008 and 2012 when he already judged section C of a WUSV Championship before, and that insecure dogs have basically disappeared from the scene. Only one dog turned out not to be resilient enough for the demanding challenge that a championship involves. By now, the regulations for the exams are subject to a very high standard. Mr. Vonarburg points out that it does not suffice if a dog is very well trained, the animal also needs to be obedient and disciplined. Here he still sees a clear need for action. If those requirements are not complied with the dog affected needs to be disqualified from the games. He observed a good improvement among teams from countries that are not yet as experienced in the field of defense work. He once again gives thanks to everybody, particularly the Finish host, and that it was the biggest pleasure for him to having been part of it.

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TOP 3) General Discussion & Future Outlook
Jens Flügge, team captain from Germany, enquires about IPO conformity in terms of the positioning of the handlers and helpers once the helpers have been disarmed. Dr. Tauber explains that the IPO is not precise regarding that issue and that the handler is given some space in terms of the positioning. A reviewed issue of the IPO is expected for the year 2017 and the outcome needs to first be expected. Following this, problems regarding the terrain in case of rain and wet weather conditions are discussed. Since no more questions are raised Dr. Tauber provides an outlook on the WUSV Championship in 2016 which will be held in Meppen, Germany. The judges assigned are as follows:
Head Judge Günther Diegel (Germany)
Section A Ernst Graf (Switzerland)
Section B Haruo Masuda (Japan)
Section C Toine Jonkers (Netherlands)

Jens-Peter Flügge reports on the state of affairs in terms of the planning and organization of the event which will take place in Meppen which is located in the utmost northwest of Germany approximately 20 kilometers from the Dutch border. The tracking area is around 10 kilometers away from the stadium and within good reach in terms of traffic. Sponsor of Theo items needed will be Mr. Leonard Schweikert. Materials will be wood, leather and felt. The terrain for tracking work will be an agricultural field with winter cereals growing at a height of approximately one inch by that time. Sections B/ obedience and C/ defense work will take place at the stadium. The entrance for the handlers of section B will be at the eastern side and for the handlers of section C will be at the west side of the stadium. Sponsor for the items needed will also be Mr. Schweikert. One area of the stadium will be provided for the Agility Championship as a lateral event to the main Championship. Part of that area will still be available for further training. The drawing of the lots will take place at a tent that will also be available for socializing and the welcome party. The head organizer is the chairman of the German federal group WATERKANT, Mr. Heinz Gerdes. A respective link on the SV homepage will soon be provided. Also, sufficient training areas will be available.

Following this, Dr. Tauber provides an outlook on the future WUSV Universal Championship up to 2020. New applications are welcome for the time from 2021 on.

Jens-Peter Flügge reports that on the occasion of next year’s WUSV Universal Championship which will also be held in Germany at the town of Paderborn from June 16, to June 19, 2016 no extra show ground will be provided. Instead the show of dogs will also take place in the stadium. The exams for tracking will be held on a meadow. Main sponsor will also be Mr. Schweikert in terms of the items required. The last hiding point for the defense work will be on the left side of the stadium. The head organizer is the chairman of the German federal group of Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Mr. Gerd Dexel. A homepage will soon be provided and further information is not yet available.

Dr. Tauber also notes that every year more dogs and thus more countries attend the events on a worldwide level. For 2016 the first WUSV World Championship for Tracking Dogs is schedule for the month of March. The host will be Belgium and three dogs per country will be admitted. Details are still pending and final decisions will be made within a fortnight. A homepage will likewise be provided. The WUSV Tracking Dogs Championship for 2017 will be hosted by Slovenia and in 2018 the event is supposed to take place in Austria.

Following this Dr. Tauber offers some general comments on the championship. He informs the party present that the implementation of an additional fitness test is planned and which shall take place prior the competition and will comprise a jump on table featuring a height of approximately 80 centimeters. Also, a certificate regarding the conditions of the hips and elbows will be required as an attempt to avoid the attendance of sick dogs. In case of questions regarding these new regulations the WUSV headquarters will provide assistance. He suggests that SV-judges and WUSV-judges shall be assigned for the qualification trials in the countries that wish to attend the competitions; also national judges and FCI-judges can be chosen for that office. However, judges from dissident clubs won’t be accepted. Another issue that Dr. Tauber wishes to point out is the treatment of the dogs during a public event

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such as a championship. He explains that the public opinion will be shaped by our conduct which is important for publicity purposes and he reminds the party present that the usage of electric shock devices is not allowed. Following the discussion as summarized above Mr. Wilfried Tautz uses the opportunity to present himself as the new federal warden for training and performance of the SV/ Germany. He was elected to the federal board of the SV in May 2015. He stresses the importance of ethical aspects and that cruelties towards dogs are not acceptable. He points out the problem of fraudulent behavior of a group of judges in terms of the results they award and that he will focus on the solution of that problem during his term in office. A question is raised in terms of the WUSV-judges at the age of over 70. This is briefly answered since some detail information and decisions are still pending. In the future the WUSV-judges will have to qualify for the office of SV-judges abroad; three additional exercises will be required. However, the final decision of the SV Federal Assembly in May 2016 has to be expected.
Since the party present has no more questions Dr. Tauber thanks for the attendance and good cooperation and closes the meeting at 12.00 hours.

gez. Dr. Wolfgang Tauber
Head Judge & WUSV Vice President	General Manager WUSV
Keeper of the Minutes