I was fortunate enough to be able to accompany my USA friend Joe Rocco from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the IFR World Championship in Milano, Italy. Joe and his dog Aiko had been chosen to participate among the largest field of competitors ever at the International Friends of the Rottweiler competition. The competition was held on April 5 and 6, 1991.
We arrived on Wednesday, April 3rd and found the hotel in darkness and Italian road signs...no easy task. Thursday morning we drove the short distance to the stadium grounds and arrived at 8:00am. We met with members of the teams from Denmark, Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy and Switzerland. Everyone seemed to be impatiently waiting around and it soon became apparent that there was a lack of organization.
It was raining and finally at 3 in the afternoon the stadium was opened to allow training on the trial field. Joe and I were welcomed very nicely by the team from Denmark. I would especially like to thank Denmark's Michael Lassen as he spoke fluent English, German, Danish and Italian and he went out of his way to help us out with our language barrier. We found the Italians to be very friendly, but unfortunately they were totally disorganized in pretrial information.
No practice tracking was provided for training and it rained right up to the Saturday starting time and then cleared up for us. Tracking was on clumpy, wet dirt with rough terrain and it was judged by an Italian. The tracks were very long (1200 - 1500 paces) and articles were rocks. Only competitors were allowed to go to the tracking fields in lots of 4. (I was not able to witness the trial tracks but later went back to see the conditions and they were very tough.) Some tracks had a leg under standing water. Big Joe scored a very respectable 93 on Saturday morning, which turned out to be the second highest track of the trial! All three members of the German team told me they thought that he was going to receive a 97 for his effort, 7 and a half year old Aiko von der Silberhutte worked intensely and correctly. An Italian held the high score in tracking with a 95.
Obedience was judged by ADRK Judge Walter Shier, owner of Hohenhameln kennels in West Germany. I was quite surprised at the correctness of the judging. Herr Shier was certainly not giving away any points...as I think should be in a championship. There was only one "V" (excellent) score in obedience, a 96 won by a German.
Again, Joe Rocco and Aiko cam through strong on Sunday with a 95 in obedience which drew a standing ovation from the 300 plus knowledgeable spectators. Joe and Aiko were by far the most focused and correct of all competitors. Joe lost 2 points on a handler error and Aiko took 4 steps on the running stand exercise. It was otherwise virtually faultless. Another Italian scored a well deserved 95 also. I was able to witness much of the training on in the 3 days leading up to the trial and many dogs appeared to be over-trained and listless, or under pressure.
By Sunday at noon, the field of competitors had split up into those who could win or place, and those who could not. Joe had protection left to do and was sitting nicely in first place so far with 93-95. An Italian was second with 91-95 and another Italian was in third with 95-89. The Germans were suprisingly out of the running as all got only high 80's scores in tracking and obedience. It was at this point that I knew that Joe would be assured of a podium spot if he got a score of at least 90 in protection. I was very confident that this was possible as I have worked as a helper for Aiko many times. The draw worked out perfect for the finish Sunday afternoon as Joe would go first, followed shortly by the second and third place Italians in protection.
The protection judge was an Austrian. Unfortunately I can't remember his name, but I do remember this...he was as critical as a very tough SV judge. He was paying attention to correctly controlled blind searches, no handler help, with strong barking/guarding and quick commitment to the bite. He was very aware of the grip, but not unrealistic like we've been seeing more of lately. He only gave out 3 'V's, a few 'SG's and many 'G's. I really respected his style and ability.
Joe came out and prepared for the blind search. Aiko went perfectly to blind 1 and then got excited and ended up going to blind 6 after several attempts by Joe to straighten him out. I believe he lost all 5 points that were possible in this exercise. Aiko looked good the rest of the performance and drew a big laugh and hearty applause after a very good courage test. He outted and rapidly started sneezing while watching the helper who proceeded to the Reattack. Aiko quickly got a great bite mid-sneeze and then outted and sneezed several more times before barking strongly again. For his entertaining performance he earned 90 points.
Next up was the Italian who had a score of 91-95 so far. He did a beautiful blind search and had a strong hold and bark. His obedience, full hard grips and his out and guard were all excellent. At this point I realised that Joe had lost the number one spot on the podium, but the Italian's 99 points was correct and deserved. The next Italian was in second place with no chance to overtake the leader. His bitch put on an excellent routine and earned a 98, with a second place overall. Joe and Aiko earned a third place spot.
I would like to tell people in the United States who are into Rottweilers and Schutzhund that Joe and I were treated great by the competitors and spectators alike. Joe became a crowd favorite, as he is truly a big man and they were quite surprised by his excellent handling and showing of Aiko, who worked very correctly in obedience, yet was by far the happiest obedience dog in the trial. Joe is a true sportsman who shows people respect and handles disappointments with class on the sportfield. Joe has only been in Schutzhund about 3 years or so and has come a long way in a short time. Congratulations Joe!
Aiko is one of the most likable dogs you could ask for. He travels well on both planes and in rental vans. He is protective yet calm and very much willing to work his best effort for Joe with little need for pressure. Aiko always seems to be up for obedience even though he is 7 years old.
Joe and I were very impressed with the quality of the competitors character. I don't believe I have ever been to a championship before where almost all of the competitors were so gracious, friendly, willing to help a stranger, buy you a beer or whatever. It was truly a great time. Anyone interested in competing at the top of the Rottweiler Schutzhund game should plan to shoot for next year's competition in Austria. The Austrians were great, playing American rock and roll in their travel trailers. They invited Joe and I over to B.S. and they told us that the IFR will be in Austria in 1992. They promised an extravaganza that we would not forget. I plan to be there.
