USA!! Debbie Zappia are WUSV Champions!! - Page 3

Thanks for the input. I understand we can enjoy the sport at different level. Please give examples of the work we have to put in to get a dog to a high level (national level), such as tracking so many times in a week, doing OB and protection at least twice a week.... I know the answer could be it depends on the dog. I am speaking in general.

I believe that Debbie would have won last year if it had not been a questionable call by the Judge on the tracking phase, she was absolutely robbed in my opinion. It is poetic justice that she won it this year. I have met and chatted with her a few times, she is an excellent trainer, who actually came from the AKC world (kind of) and started her SchH career in the early 80's. One of the coolest things around her training is that she only does protection training one weekend a month and has always done that (source: HIT Podcast interviewing her).

 

This is what it takes to be at that level (and all those on the team have it) "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

(Its more about the speech and not the actual video :) )

You "simply" need a team of at least 3 outstanding friends, trainers, helpers, willing to support you day after day for years, you need to be an outstanding handler/trainer yourself, and last but not least you need an outstanding dog. After training for 5 years at least 5 times the week ( tracking, obedience, bitework, sometimes 2 times/day ) including training on strange fields, training with strange helpers, participating in several trials far away from home, you may become the next WUSV champion...

Forgot to mention: There are thousands of "real" IPO people in Europe with great infra structure, and a lot of experience - this American woman beat all of them at that weekend...

gsdps, not really going to be an answer for that, everyone is different.

Thank you everyone for your input especially Susie's specific examples.

Debbie doesn't do social media. But....Eros has his own FB page :)

I totally agree with cutaway....she should have won last year and I was pretty certain (barring any injury or sickness) that she would win this year. For those of you who have seen her and Eros compete you understand my confidence. They are an amazing team!!!

Wouldn't an even bigger accomplishment be the role model and standard she has set for GSD breeders.


If only more would TRY and emulate her would be enough.

 

 Debbie was also second place WUSV in 2004 with Escobar van Adelrik

 

@vk4gsd

Wouldn't an even bigger accomplishment be the role model and standard she has set for GSD breeders.
If only more would TRY and emulate her would be enough.

Not sure what you are saying? Iron is not Debbie's breeding, not sure what you mean by setting a standard for GSD breeders.