disc dog World Finals 2012

issue 7September 2012special issue

DISC DOGWORLD

DISC DOGWORLDFinalsFinals

In this issue you will not find the information of all Europeans discdogger , but rather information and interviews, with the majority of the best players in Europe...

In addition to get you a better view and to be involved more in this sport we have included interviews with some of the greatest players from the USA and Japan that are currently at the top of the World Championships of the four formats treated by us , the 4 different formats : the USDDN, the UFO , the SKYHOUNDZ and the AWI .

Unfortunately, we did not collect information of all European discdoggers, but a good part of the best representatives of the sport have answered some questions for us (and for you readers). After reading this issue you will know more about their points of view regarding the discdog in Europe, their 2011 USA memories and much more ....

enjoy

Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Championships 2012

Chattanooga, Tennessee

19th -23rd September

DiscDogathon and Xtreme Distance — Camp Jordan Park Ultimate Fields

World Championship (Sport Division, MicroDog Division, and Pairs Freestyle Division)

2012 Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championships

29th September Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missour

2012 USDDN World Finals

20th - 21st October in Cartersville, GA , USA at Dellinger Park.

2012 UFO World Cup Finals

2nd - 4th November in TBA, FL, USA

The World Finlas dates:

FIRST PART

European Championships results : Skyhoundz , UFO , USDDN ,AWI

SECOND PART

Interview with disc dog legends : Mark Muir , Chuck Middleton , Tracy Custer , Shaun Hirai and Yachi Hirai

THIRD PART

European disc doggers : list of discdoggers that have qualified for the World FInals and some interviews ....

A special thanks to all those who have collaborated in this issue.

Thanks to all the photographers that have shooted the amazing photos that are in the magazine.

If someone wants to get noticed us of some mistakes can do by sending us a messaga on dogsportmag.eu facebook page.

have fun!

http://skyhoundz.com/

http://www.ashleywhippet.com/

http://www.usddn.com/

http://ufoworldcup.org/

Summary

I think that this time you wouldn’t need the summary, because every page have something interesting.

You will find news about the European Championship of all the 4 disc dog formats, then a list of the best discdoggers , those who have qualified for the World Finals , divided by country and you will see attached to the name of the icons Which world finals he qualified.

The list of country is in random not to do wrong to someone, but it was more a matter of publishing space ....

FIRST PART

European Championships results : Skyhoundz , UFO , USDDN ,AWI

SECOND PART

Interview with disc dog legends : Mark Muir , Chuck Middleton , Tracy Custer , Shaun Hirai and Yachi Hirai

THIRD PART

European disc doggers : list of discdoggers that have qualified for the World FInals and some interviews ....

A special thanks to all those who have collaborated in this issue.

Thanks to all the photographers that have shooted the amazing photos that are in the magazine.

If someone wants to get noticed us of some mistakes can do by sending us a messaga on dogsportmag.eu facebook page.

have fun!

https://www.facebook.com/DogSportMag.eu


http://twitter.com/dogsportmageu

Skyhoundz European Championship 2012

Matteo Gaddoni is the Open Expert Skyhoundz European Champion 2012 with Flower . The Micro Dog Skyhoundz EC is Angela Tederke with Lucie and the Sport Expert EC is Amadea Colja with Bora.

On the 21st and 22nd July was held in Olen ,Belgium the Skyhoundz European Championship 2012 . In the Micro Dog the 2012 European Champion was Angela Tederke & Lucie ,second placed Edina Bojtor & Zsizsik , Julia Link & Shana was third. Enrico Collini & Jack 4th and Christina Weiss with Ronja 5th. The Open Expert winner was the Italian Matteo Gaddoni with Flower . Another italian on the podium wasDiego Marchetti & Sammie Boy in second place and the German Frank Funke with Baffy finished with a beautiful 3rd place. Istvan Fodor & Fanni with the same point as Amadea Colja & Bora finished in 4th place. The German legend Conny Sawicki was the ebst in the Open Masters with Quigley . The Open Novice

Winner was Kevin Vandeputte & Ilco followed by the Italian Franco Cutugno & Lady and Niko Schaefer with Emma . The European Champion in Sport Expert was the Slovenian Amadea Colja & Bora who managed to beat the European legend in DistanceJozsef Zsiros with Seesco. The German Frank Funke collected another podium this time with Spike . The Sport Masters winner was Birthe Grieblinger & Flame . The Sport Novice competition winner was Johan Matthijs with Wolly . In the Youth competition Alina Funke with Spike has collected the best result and won the competition ,Vanessa Matthies was second and Cas Houwaart third.In the Pairs competition the German pair Martin Tederke & Angela Tederke with Pepper won the competition , Jürgen Bartz and Conny Sawicki & Quigley were second and the Hungarians Andrea Kovacs & Istvan Fodor with Fanni third.

Skyhoundz European Championship 2012

Results

http://skyhoundz.com/2012_results.html

2012 UFO European Cup

Timo Kehlbeck is the 2012 Ufo European Cup winner , Alen Soldic 2nd , Daniel Köhler third. Open Throw & Catch winner Frank Funke with Buffy.

On the 8th and 9th September was held the SWISS DISC DOG CUP 2012 or UFO MAJOR & EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP in Uster , Switzerland.

Timo Kehlbeck and Ronja were the best on the field and won the 2012 UFO European Cup . Alen Soldic & Lila were in second place , third Daniel Köhler. Fourth Frank Funke ,5th Bettina Koch .The best freestyle winner was , the Swiss , Eva Zwicker. In the Open Throw & Catch competition Frank Funke with 23.0 won the competition. Bettina Koch was second and Heiko Schmidt third.

2012 UFO European Cup

Results

http://dogsportmag.eu/2012/09/09/2012-ufo-european-cup-results

USDDN European Dogfrisbee Championships 2012

Frank Funke & Baffy are the winner in Freestyle SuperOpen ,Jean McCollister & Oli second ,Pavel Kos & Coffee third. SUPER-PRO TOSS & FETCH champion : Agata Oleszczuk and Shilo .

From the 10th to the 12th August in Poznań(Poland) was held the USDDN European Dogfrisbee Championships 2012 and the 4th round of the Polish Dog Chow Disc Cup .This year is the 7th season for the polish discdoggers and their DCDC. The disc dog competitions in Poland are every year visited by more people. The competitions run under the USDDN rules. This was one of the biggest disc dog event in Europe with more than 100 competitors in the Freestyle SuperOpen division. In the starters division the third placed at the 2nd Qualifier of Dog Chow Disc Cup 2012– Polish discdog series in Wroclaw Halina Małozięć & Peggy won this time . Second place for the Czech Pavla Nešetřilová & Gyp. In the Dog diving disciplineMarzena Domińczak & Gra won in front of Ania Radomska & C-Mo and Bartek Zych & Zap. In the SuperOpen FREESTYLE the winner was Frank Funke and Baffy from Germany ,second placed Jean McCollister with Oli (Slovenia) , Pavel Kos & Coffe (Czech Rep.) finished thrid in front of Karolina Nowak and Java (Poland). Lucka Schönová and Dixi finished fifth. In the Super-Pro Toss & Fetch the 1st place was for Agata Oleszczuk and Shilo . In the TheQUADRUPED MEN -Long Distance Men Michał Cyran and Niko won ,second Mariusz Kielczyk & Keeper. In the Long Distance Ladies the winner was Lucka Schönová with Dixi.The SMALL DOG / Bonsai winner was Alena Smolíková & Chipsy , second placed Agata Orłowska with Meta and third the Czech Eva Sáňková & Greasy.

USDDN European Dogfrisbee Championships 2012

Results

http://dogsportmag.eu/2012/08/13/usddn-european-dogfrisbee-championships-2012-results-videos

AWI European Championship 2012

Christina Weiss is the 2012 AWI EUROPEAN CHAMPION! On the podium with Adrian Stoica and Matteo Gaddoni !

On the 1st September in Pforzen (Germany)was held the AWI EC 2012. The European Championships consisted of 2 rounds of Freestyle ( open class ) and one round of T&C. After the first round of Freestyle and the T&C round, there was a cut to the top 15 teams. The top 15 teams have played the second round of Freestyle. After the second round of Freestyle the new European AWI Champion was crowned - Christina Weiss & Ronja have won the AWI EC 2012! The second best discdogger was the Italian Adrian Stoica & Rory followed by another Italian Matteo Gaddoni & Flower . The landlord Frank Funke with Baffy finished fourth and the last year champion Timo Kehlbeck with Ronja did the best freestyle , but finished 5th. At the day of the European Championships a Toss & Catch event was offered,too. The T&C consisted of 2 rounds of T&C . Christina Weiss & Ronja were the best also in this competition Bettina Koch & Tabasco finished second and Jean McCollister with Olivia third. A very good 4th place for Frank Funke & Buffy. Fredi Jäggi & Amy finished 5th.

AWI European Championship 2012

Results

http://dogsportmag.eu/2012/09/02/awi-european-championship-2012-results

markMark Muir

muirmark

muirOur lives are short but our dogs lives are shorter so we have to enjoy every moment they are here on earth with us because when they are gone all we have are memories and they need to be good ones

“

markmuirmuir

Our lives are short but our dogs lives are shorter so we have to enjoy every moment they are here on earth with us because when they are gone all we have are memories and they need to be good ones ”

http://www.georgiairishdiscdogs.com/

Mark Muir

You are one of the top discdoggers in the world, that’s indisputable, but did you also have got some mentor or someone who inspired you in the past in the beginning ?

There were a few people who were super nice that said hello to me when I first started. Todd Duncan and Autumn Trainor two of top disc doggers. Also over time two of the top disc doggers I feel like I can talk freely with and just talk about the sport or our own game are Tim Geib and Chuck Middleton. It is great to get a honest critique from good friends.

Are you interested in other sports or hobbies as well as the Frisbee?

I love to play golf and fish and besides that I just love to watch almost all sports.

How much time you devote to training during the week?

I am a fulltime career firefighter and I work on 24 hour straight shift and then I am off for 48 hours straight and it is during those two days off I train. I actually probably spend 75 of my time practicing by myself and then only 25% of the time with the dogs.

How changes your training during the season and off season ?

The disc dogging world in the USA is basically year round now. You can almost compete almost every weekend of the year somewhere. If not people are always asking disc doggers here to do some sort of shows or demonstrations.

You have participated in many competitions.... With Gipper you become the World Champion and also with the other dogs you have obtained formidable results.

What are the achievements you are most proud of ?

Actually Rocket was my first dog to win a World Championship then Gipper followed with multiple World Titles. But to date my most favorite moment I think in disc dogging actually was last year when Irish came in Tenth place in the World Championships. Irish is a very good distance dog but Irish qualified in Freestyle also so we played and had a great time and I never expected a top ten finish and I was so so happy for Irish.

Favorite trick?

I used to love doing the single foot footstall with Rocket and a lot of my different styles of foot stalls but many people are doing them now so I just work on flowing on the field with each of the dogs.

Where you find the inspiration for new tricks ?

I try never to repeat anybody elses tricks. But everyday when I train I spend one on one time with each of my four dogs and I just have what I call free time and we just play and have a great time just having fun and this is where I find new tricks.

“I actually probably spend 75 of my time practicing by myself and then only 25% of the time with the dogs”


Mark Muir

What are your most beautiful memories of 2011?

Irish coming in Tenth Place in the World Championships. My trips all around the world teaching and showing others how great their own dogs can be.

You are very present in Europe as a judge and as a teacher with your workshops...

Which major differences you see between the discdog in Europe and in the USA?

I think the disc doggers in Europe are getting better and better and I actually think that there are many European disc dog teams that can world championships now they just need to come with the same confidence I see them have in Europe.

“I try never to repeat anybody elses tricks”

What is your opinion : How much the European disc doggers are grown in the last years?

I know Europeans can win world championships I just want them to know they can and trust their dogs and theirselves and I see them winning many world championships soon.

What is your opinion : How much changes the attitude during a "normal" competition of disc dog and when you participate at the World finals, the nervousness can play bad joke, Have you ever had problems like this?

This is a crazy subject. There are different thoughts there are some disc doggers who have to win because they want to say they are the Champion, then there are others who are just happy to be there, then there are others who just get too nervous. I never ever get nervous because I learned many years ago if I am not having fun then my dogs see I am not having fun and the dogs do not do well. So every time I compete with my dogs wherever we are I make sure we are both having fun.

“I know Europeans can win World Championships”


Mark Muir

What advice would give to someone participating at his first competition?

Enjoy every moment because “Our lives are short but our dogs lives are shorter so we have to enjoy every moment they are here on earth with us because when they are gone all we have are memories and they need to be good ones”

Which category you prefer in discdog?

I like all the categories because I get to have fun playing with my dogs.

“I like all the categories because I get to have fun playing with my dogs”

“I have fun and I don’t get nervous”

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

I have fun and I don’t get nervous.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add?

None of my disc dogging fun would be possible without the incredible help and support my wife of 27 years Stacey has given me. Without Stacey none of this is possible for us.

www.georgiairishdiscdogs.com

ChuckChuckMiddleton

Chuck Middleton

Middleton

http://www.dallasdogndisc.com/TeamList.aspx

Middleton

Chuck is one of the most powerful disc dogger on Earth. He’s present for several years on the scene always with his extraordinary results and unique style. Perhaps not everyone knows him... to get an idea of who is chuck read this short introduction . Last year at the UFO World Cup he took home the world champion title with Bling Bling and the third place wirh BamBam. At the USDDN World finals he colleced the 3rd place in the Super Pro Toss and Fetch with Bam Bam and the 8th place in Super Open freestyle with Bling Bling. His success in 2011 did not end there because he become the 2011 AWI World Champion with Bling Bling . At the Ashley Whippet World Finals he finished also 5th with BamBam...

Maybe it’s better not to add more and enjoy this memorable interview :)Middleton

Chuck Middleton

In the last years you have collected world titles and podium like drinking a glass of water...You and your dogs are in a great shape, you have reached an insane level of comprehension between you and the dogs, you are like in symbiosis with Bling Bling and BamBam. What else behind heart, careful trainings, sacrifices and patience are on these victories?

Thank you for the kind words. There has been some luck for sure, but there has also been a lot of disciplined practice with each of my World Champions – Donnie, Bling Bling and BamBam. But, for me LUCK is - Labor Under Correct Knowledge. I try to make sure my dogs are in the best shape possible leading up to a big competition.

In addition, as I have grown older, and find myself competing against younger and younger competitors, I have worked very hard to keep myself in shape so that I am not a disadvantage to my dogs. I watch my diet and I work out four times a week doing a combination of agility, strength training, endurance, and cardio work.

The disc dog is not based on how many wins someone has earned, but this means that your training methods are very effective...On what are based your trainings?

I try very hard to make sure that I do not ‘over-train’ my dogs. Past mistakes have taught me that it is possible to ‘break’ even a ‘high-drive’ dog. By this I mean, where you work so hard and so much that it is no longer fun for the dog and then their performance diminishes. My training is intense, but I am always watching my dogs for signs that they are not having fun. After all these years I am still amazed by disc dogs in general, and I think I am having more fun now than I did when I started in 1986. I want my dogs to feel my joy and my enthusiasm and I want them to feel the same.

My day-to-day training is generally based on where I think we need improvement. Some days that is throw & catch and some days that might be a specific segment of our freestyle routine. About half of our training is Toss & Fetch because this is low impact and your throw and catch scores are critical to World Championships.


In the 4-6 weeks leading up to a big competition I will spend 4-8 hours a week training my dogs and developing their routines. I will spend another 4-8 hours alone working on throwing and routine preparation. This is in addition to the 4 hours a week I devote to my own physical fitness.

How does your training change during the season and off-season?

I do not train a lot in the off-season other than some toss & fetch to keep my dogs in shape. My off-season is generally November thru February and then May thru July.

“My day-to-day training is generally based on where I think we need improvement”

“for me LUCK is - Labor Under Correct Knowledge”

Chuck Middleton

In recent years a lot of new talents have come out, the disc dog evolved a lot ...into what direction are going the discdog today? Do you think we will see the discdog in 2016 Summer Olympics?

For quite a few years I have seen disc dogs moving more toward a disciplined approach to choreography with the dog and human working together as a team. And, many have discovered the importance of good toss & fetch scores.

Regarding choreography - when both the canine and thrower are on the same page it is visually impactful for the both the spectators and the judges and the synergy, pace, flow & overall tightness of great routines really embodies what it means to be a 'TEAM' working together. The basic elements I look for in a world-class routine are 1) sequences, 2) transitions, 3) disc management and 4) execution. Wrap these up together in a tight package and you have a world championship caliber routine!!

Now, regarding disc dogs in the Olympics? I cannot even imagine how cool that would be, but I do not think we will ever see disc dogs in the Olympics. Horses and equestrian events are the sport of kings, but dogs do not share that same history with the nobility and the elite.

Do you remember your first competition?

I do! It was a small local competition in the city of Dallas, Texas in the spring of 1986. This is where I met future World Champion, and future Hall-of-Fame Member Ron Ellis and his phenomenal dog Maggie. My dog Flash was only about 7-8 months old and the simplest tricks that I saw that day amazed and inspired me. To many competitors today see what our dogs do and walk away thinking they can never do anything like that. I walked away knowing I could and would do even more than what I saw that day!!

http://www.dallasdogndisc.com/TeamList.aspx

“ ...sequences, transitions, disc management and execution. Wrap these up together in a tight package and you have a world championship caliber routine!!”

How much this sport has changed since you have competed against Gary Suzuki about twenty years ago?

The sport has not really changed a lot at the very core. We still preach caution and safety over winning.

There will always be those who want to win at any cost, but that is not really what this sport is about. In addition, today we have more organizations and more competitions than ever before, but it is still about a dog, a disc, a trainer and building the bond of trust with our dogs. We still love our dogs and this sport still generates deep friendships not only with our dogs, but also with our fellow competitors. What Gary did in the mid 90’s was to usher in an important era in disc dogs where a high score in execution was coupled with great choreography and a high level of difficulty. He proved to everyone that we could have all three in this sport!!

Chuck Middleton

What is so special to you about discdog?

The bond this sport creates between my dogs and me is what

makes this sport special. It still amazes me what my dogs will

do not only for the disc, but also for me, because of the trust

we have built together.

What are your greatest satisfactions in your career?

Two things come to mind. 1993 was my first qualification for the World Finals. This was my 8th year in the sport. It took a long time to become a World Finalist, but I was still playing the game because I truly enjoyed playing frisbee with my dogs. The next was 2002. This was the year I won my first World Championship. It only took 17 years, but it was 17 years filled with fun and friendship!

Can you give our readers some tips that they should remember when training their dog?

Have fun and make sure your dog is having fun. This is so hard to explain to someone new in the sport that is anxious for wins, but success will come if you and your dog enjoy the journey.

What advice would give to someone participating in his or her first competition?

Just go out and have fun. Try not to be anxious and try not to have expectations. I still get nervous so it is only natural. Just try to live in the moment and try to have as much fun as your dog is having. And then, find some people who have had some success and ask them for some advice.

Favorite trick?

I don’t think I have a favorite. More times than not I am just amazed that my dog catches my throws. Usually I’m thinking, “Can you believe he just caught that? Or, can you believe he did that?!” I’m still having a lot of fun!!

“Have fun and make sure your dog is having fun”

“Have fun and make sure your dog is having fun”Which trick was the most difficult to learn?

For each dog this is different, but for most of my dogs it has been any move that requires them to be running straight at me from the front. So it would probably be the ‘over’ where I duck and they jump over my head from the front.

3 things you can't live without?

Disc Dogs

Air Conditioning

Hot Showers

Your plans for the future?

At some point age will catch up with me as it does for everyone and I will no longer be able to compete at this high level. When this happens I look forward to staying involved as a judge.


I tell everyone to just have fun and I repeat it often. Our dog’s lives are short. If you love this sport, then success will come sooner or later, but it may come in some form other than championships. For me the championships came only after many, many years. I think there must have lessons to learn.

Before the championships came I needed to find success and meaning in my relationships with my dogs and understand their undying love and devotion to me. I understood this completely when I said goodbye to my first frisbee dog Flash. The date was February 4, 2000.

When I said goodbye to Donnie on November 3, 2009 I was not thinking of his three World Championships. I was thinking of his undying love for me, and my enduring love for him. I remembered the fun we shared. And I knew for sure that I would have relinquished all our trophies for a little more time together.

The Bond, between dog and trainer - that is what makes this sport special!

Tracy Custer

CusterTracy started to be part of this world in 2002 with his first freestyle, since then his career has evolved in an incredible way with many podiums and world titles. The special thing of this disc dog champion is that that all of her dogs came straight from local pounds and shelters. She’s active in australian cattle dog rescue, and also in promoting disc dog sports through her and her husband Adrain club, the Southern Ohio Flying K9s. Adrian and Tracy live in Gray Summit, MO and enjoy playing disc with 11 dogs; She’s also actively compete in agility and dabble in dock diving, canine freestyle dance, and have even tried weight pulling!

Turn the page and read this beautiful interview!

CusterTracyTracy

http://www.custersflyingk9s.com/

CusterCuster

Tracy Custer

You are involved in many dog sports like agility , dog dance but the most formidable results come from the disc dog competitions. Is this because in this sport you can more easily express your person and your dog feel it at 120% ?

Yes, I have always loved disc dog sports, particularly freestyle, for the freedom and creativity it allows. It was not easy for me in the beginning; I was not at all proficient at throwing the disc! In fact, I was quite terrible. But I had some great dogs who gave their hearts everytime we played and helped me to learn the skills I needed to progress. I also think the people involved in disc dog sports are some of the most genuine and supportive competitors you can find in the entire dog sport world.

One of the most interesting things, that make you different to many other champions, is that you own and train dogs that come straight from local pounds and shelters , isn't it . You and Adrian have rescued and helped to rehome over 70 dogs! How has started this adventure ?

I can honestly say that September 11, 2001 was the day that changed my life; I had wanted to become involved in dog rescue but it was just a dream in my head. But that day made me realize I needed to make a difference in some way; maybe I could honor the lives that had been lost by making a small change in my own community. I rescued my first shelter dog that very week. As we began to help these dogs in need, we realized that many had been tossed aside due to their high energy levels and need to work. Disc Dog was the perfect job for these unwanted dogs! And now, 11 years later, we own 16 dogs, all but one rescued or adopted from shelters. And we have helped to find homes for almost 100 dogs. Pet over population is a very serious issue in the United States; we hope that the accomplishments we have with our own rescued dogs will help to change the perceptions of these unwanted dogs, as well as encourage pet owners to become more responsible.

You are present in the disc dog competitions since 2002. From the beginning until now which competition come to your mind for first?

I think the competitions that are most memorable and most inspiring to me are the ones where I just felt a very special connection with my dog on the field. Sometimes it is the routine that just flows.................I almost feel as if I am in another world with my dog, just he and I playing and enjoying the moment. I also appreciate the competitions where I have achieved a special goal with a particular dog, such as overcoming a fear of crowds. Some of my favorite moments: USDDN National Finals in 2004, Five and I won the Saturday event – it was our first big win! Towards the end of RaccoonJack's competiitve career I began to feel that connection nearly every time we played.............but my favorite event was the AWI World Finals in 2010. Jack was 9 years old, we did not win, but he had the day of his life, with only one missed disc in 3 rounds.

What has fascinated you in disc dog?

I am always fascinated by the creativity of fellow competitors, especially disc handling skills. I have more of a dog training background, so learning new throws is more challenging for me. I truly enjoy watching others with great disc throwing abilities, it inspires me to work harder!


Yes! My very first disc dog event was our Skyhoundz Regional, I played my now 14 year old Cattle Dog in the Distance/Accuracy division. We got extremely lucky and had the day of our lives, finishing 2nd and qualifying for the World Championships! It was a memorable day not just for the great finish, but also for the inspiration I received from other competitors to try freestyle.

Do you have some hobbies?

Well, I guess all of my hobbies are dog-related! Dog sports like disc, dock diving, agility, tricks. But I do love soccer, equestrian sports/riding, and also watching American Football.

Explain to as your typical training day.

With 16 dogs in the house, that can get complicated! But typically, 9-10 dogs accompany me to work to play and train daily. The remaining dogs are either Adrian's or our old and retired dogs. For the working dogs, I really only train freestyle frisbee 1-2 times per week. When important competitions are coming up, I will practice Toss n Fetch 3-4 times per week; usually brief sessions in the morning. During the summer months, since the dogs perform so many daily shows, I spend most of my training time keeping them fit, and cross-training: hikes, jogs, swimming in the pool or in the river, hill work for tennis balls, etc. Every evening, I do give each dog a fun trick training session as well. My real training for new freestyle tricks/routines, agility, and show ideas happens during the winter months when we have a break from shows and competitions.


I see people who want to give the best with his dogs and often overwork their dogs, training too hard and too long with them, causing stress, discomfort, and potential injury. What do you think?

Definitely! And I will admit I was once guilty of it as well. When a new competitor becomes involved in the sport, it is difficult for them not to get so excited about learning, growing, and training their dogs. Now that my first disc dogs are aging, I see the effects of so much over-training on their bodies: arthritis, stiffness, spondylosis. It has really caused me to change the type of training I do now with my younger and newer dogs. Truly, it is repetition of challenging movements that will break a dog down over time. I try to think of it like this: each dog has a finite number of »big air« tricks like flips and vaults, over their lifetime. I treasure each one of these, and try to limit the times I ask for them.

What do you think: Filming tricks and see them on the phone or computer has speeded up the growth of many discdoggers or not?

How the Internet has changed the world of dog sports ?

It is truly amazing to me, the growth our sport as well as dog sports in general, has experienced in the last few years due to social networking and video-sharing sites like facebook or youtube. It is great to see so many new faces enjoying disc dogging, but it is also challenging to stay grounded and not get caught up in the competitiveness of it all.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

For disc dogging, I would love to go to Japan, I just admire their style of play and competitive focus so much.

Favorite trick?

Dog Catches – ALL of them! I love trying to invent new ways to catch my dogs during a routine. Some of my newer dogs are definitely on the large side, 3 of them over 50 pounds, so it is fun to challenge my own athleticism as well.

What music can you not leave home when you go to a competition ?

Actually, I try to change each dog's song every season. I am very picky about music for my routines; while I personally favor alternative rock, I try to pick a genre of music that showcases each dog's movement and personality. Currently, I am competing 4 freestyle dogs; using one alternative rock piece, one hard rock song, and two hip-hop tracks. But if I had to just pick one song or band to bring, it would be Nine Inch Nails.

Tracy Custer

Your favorite part of the day?

Anytime I am playing or working with my dogs!


I would say my strengths are my ability to connect with my dogs and get the most out of each one individually, my ability to always stay positive and have fun even if things aren't going as well as planned, and creating seemless and flowing routines.

My weaknesses..............staying in my comfort zone too much/not pushing myself to explore new options and try new things and being too hard on myself from a competitive standpoint.

Yours plans for the future?

Right now, I am truly enjoying working at Purina Farms as a Dog Trainer and performer and can see myself staying there for many years to come. But ultimately, I would love to start my own training facility, focusing on canine sports like disc and diving dog, as well as expanding my rescue efforts with a sport dog rescue facility.


Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit of my life with other disc doggers!


ShaunShaun

HiraiHirai

Shaun Hirai

ShaunShaun

HiraiHirai

Shaun , from Japan , son of Yachi , a formidable discdogger , World Champion...A young man that has changed the history of this sport. This year he’s very motivated and will return in the USA for ...having fun :)

Shaun Hirai

Being able to win the World Championship title means that you have worked well throughout your career. What is the secret to being able to stay focused during a high level competition?

First of all , I would say thank you very much for this interview. My name is Shaun Hirai, dog is Shack. I am playing discdog for 6 years.

I use 'micro sleep'. I don't care about staying focused. It's important for me 10 minutes before from the my competition order. Every time on the competition field, I am trying to sleep just 2,3 seconds.

If I could sleep, It makes me release from big stress and then I stay focused during my freestyle. It helps me a lot.

What's the feeling you get when you do not miss a throw at the World finals?

I will be so happy. But, I don't know what will happen till the final round. And, it tends to move to bad situation. I have learned it from my experience, but I will be so happy...

Are you superstitious? Have you ever try something like a beg / conjure before a race?

No, I do not. I just try to sleep.

The first thing you do before a competition and the first thing you do after a competition?

I am care about relationship with shack. I am thinking that discdog is communication sports.

Before the competition, during the competition, After the competition, I am checking Shack's behavior.

Every time on t

he competitio

n field,

I am trying to s

leep just 2,3 second

s

“”

Being able to win the World Championship title means that you have worked well throughout your career. What is the secret to being able to stay focused during a high level competition?

First of all , I would say thank you very much for this interview. My name is Shaun Hirai, dog is Shack. I am playing discdog for 6 years.

I use 'micro sleep'. I don't care about staying focused. It's important for me 10 minutes before from the my competition order. Every time on the competition field, I am trying to sleep just 2,3 seconds.

If I could sleep, It makes me release from big stress and then I stay focused during my freestyle. It helps me a lot.

What's the feeling you get when you do not miss a throw at the World finals?

I will be so happy. But, I don't know what will happen till the final round. And, it tends to move to bad situation. I have learned it from my experience, but I will be so happy...

Are you superstitious? Have you ever try something like a beg / conjure before a race?

No, I do not. I just try to sleep.

The first thing you do before a competition and the first thing you do after a competition?

I am care about relationship with shack. I am thinking that discdog is communication sports.

Before the competition, during the competition, After the competition, I am checking Shack's behavior.

The most beautiful and the worst competition you ever made

The most beautiful competition was PURINA Incredible Dog Challenge National championships(PIDC) in 2010. I beat Yachi(Father) for the first time.

The worst competition was PURINA Incredible Dog Challenge National championships(PIDC) in 2011. I was beaten by Kosuke(brother) for the first time.

I would like to write about Europe.

All of European competition was beautiful for me. Poland, Spain and Czech.

Competitor, Judge, Spectator, everybody was enjoying the competition. It was so beautiful.

I would like to participate on European Championship in the future.

Explain a tipical day in your life

We have over 30 dogs.

My day is filled with dogs.

The management of the kennel, Training dogs.


Relax time with Shack.

Every time on t

he competitio

n field, I

am trying to s

leep just 2,3 second

s”

Shaun Hirai

Favorite trick?

I like foot stall.

It gives dog confidence. And, dog can take a rest in the freestyle.

Paura&Wena’s kick flip, Symon&Zamsz’s original trick. It’s my favorite, too.

Which trick was the most difficult to learn?

I am not good at teaching trick, so I cannot tell it. I can tell that the footstall is not difficult. Because I could teach it .

Last Good Advice you recive

Melissa Heeter told me 4 years ago.

“Yachi is Yachi, You are not Yachi. Bee(Yachi’s dog) is Bee, Shack is not Bee. You must find your freestyle.”

There was no team movement in Yachi&Bee’s freestyle. Just show dog athleticism, run, jump, catch, and run. Bee was great dog.

I wanted to do it with Shack. And then I started to compare Shack with Bee. I compelled Shack to run and to jump like Bee. And I lost trust from Shack little by little.

I was lost, and just that time, Melissa advised me it.

Now my freestyle is filled with things that Shack likes.

“My day is filled with dogs”

3 things you can’t live without?

Family/ Dog/ Zurek

What kind of physical preparation goes into preparing for a high level event?

Normally I lose weight 2~3 kg.

Just because you are Japanese : Do you use martial arts or meditation techniques in discdog, for sharpening / improve your performance?

No, I don’t. I am not good at martial arts.

“My day is filled with dogs”What advice do you have for someone wishing to get involved with this dog sport?

Only I can do is do our best with Shack on the competition.

If someone feels something from my freestyle, it's big honer for me.


Strengths is same as weaknesses. I think I am a perverse person. It's good and bad for me.


It was really pleasure for me. Thank you so much Luca.

I am not good at telling my thought, it's also my weakness. I think next person is Yachi. It's better than my interview. Papa.

YachiHirai

YachiHirai

Yachi is one of the most famous discdogger in Japan and in the World. He lives in the Northern Japan where is a lot of snow , so he’s also active in the mushing world. A great spokesman for this sport in Japan, Europe and in the World. I think is useless to make an introduction to a legend, one that made the sport’s history , so turn the page and read the interview with Yachi :)

Yachi Hirai

YachiHirai

YachiHirai

Yachi Hirai

You are from the Northern Japan , there is a lot of snow , this make you start your mushing carrer, isn't it right?

Right. My first imagination of Dog Sports was mushing. After I got Siberians Huskies, I trained them by skate board. And learned many things from them.

The musher career is very expensive expecially if you from the Japan go to Alaska for a competition. If I'm not mistaken in the 2006 you went to Fairbanks, Alaska .How it was?

Yes, it was so expensive. I spent more than $40000 for that travel..It was miserable travel for me.

When I was racing in 6dog class, I could keep my team Top10 in Alaska USA. 8 dogs class also. I thought my team could be Top10 easily in Open class. But Open class was totaly different. After 2years hard training in Japan, I could not find any injured dog in my 22 dogs team. Then I chose best 14 dogs for Open North American Championship .

(One of the best world title) I arrived in Alaska with them after 8 days of

hard trip.I started train them again. It happened from the first training.

Every time I finished the training, I found one or two limping dogs.

Trail in Alaska was so hard and tough for Japanese dogs. I could find only

7 fine dogs in my team, I almost gave up before the race. So, I don't think

to tell about my miserable experience in Last Alaska.Hahaha.

(But I always think about "revenge".Some day, before I am dead I will build

up new team and race with them.)

Tell me a little bit about your start in discdog. What has fascinated you in discdog at the biginning?

I used to be a freestyle skateboarder when I was young. I skated everyday. Every night and day. Freestyle skateboarding is skate on the flat land with music. One day, I went to movie theater and watched a movie of American new sports. There was a black&white dog catching Frisbee in the air. I felt this is the sports just for me. I can do it. But I could not find any information about that sports. 15 years later, I started frisbee dog sports. I was 37years old already.


I remember I was nervous and my fingers were trembled.

After many years of presence at major competitions.

What was the competition that remained most in the heart ?

Every single competition was important for me.

“Every single competition was important for me”

“I used to be a freestyle skateboarder when I was young”

How is growing the Japanese disc dog scene...Or how has grown the scene after your first competition until today?

Before USDDN Finals we could not participate World Finals in USA. The reason why we were not American citizens. I participated some local World finals, but it was not good enough for Japanese. There were no rule we felt. We asked about rules but no answer at that time. Only USDDN had the answers. And they opened the door for not American players.

Now we have rules that same as USDDN. It made Japanese players so good. Because we have no doubt about the rules. This is most important for Freestyle sports.

There are so many great teams in competition of Japan.

Someone said that you don't win with luck but with the skills. At most you can have bad luck and can't prove what you have learned with your dogs. What do you think? Luck can play an important role in competitions or not ?

Maybe good person get good luck. I am not. Hahaha.

Yachi Hirai

“I think there are 10 very good teams in Europe”

How do you feel when you see someone win a competition using to the advice you gave him ?

I am proud of it.

What do you think: Which major differences you see between the discdog in Europe ,Japan and in the USA?

European have a lot of skills. Only they need is the experience of tough competitions.

I think there are 10 very good teams in Europe.

There are so many good players in USA. But most of them do not compete any more. They just do Demos... We don't have to think about them. Just wait for them to come back on the field. Just 10 very good teams in competition field. 10 more very good teams in Demo field in USA. And 10 more retired very good players. 15 very good teams in Japan.

Especially their smooth transition is different from the other countries.

“I think there are 10 very good teams in Europe”

Yachi Hirai

Seen you're coming from Japan I need to do this question. For Sharpening techniques in discdog you draw inspiration or use some martial arts techniques?

Maybe yes.

What is your vision (the future) of this sport in Japan?

My own? I will make Dog Sports School for world young generation.

What do you think? I like to teach young people so much.

Favorite trick?

Transition/Safety Vault/Flip/Dog Catch/Foot works/etc.

Can you give our readers some tips that they should remember when training

their dog?

Your dog has it’s own good point. Look for it. Polish it. Keep on playing this

sports.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have

anything else you would like to add?

Melissa Heeter. I am 56 years old very experienced person. I can say she is the

person we can trust.

“I like to teach young people so much”

Austria

Xenia Cerha & Loki

Xenia works as a dog trainer and offers a dog frisbee courses at the Hundeschule Breitenlee. She’s well-known in Austria and Europe.

Anja Fischer & June

Her discdog carrer starts in the 2010. In 2 years she grew a lot and this year Anja Fischer became the Austrian UFO discdog Champion 2012 .

Christine Matthies & Ivey

Christine qualified for the Skyhoundz World Championships also with Vanessa Matthies in the pairs competition.

Austria

Belgium

Sven van Driessch & Choco

Sven has been a DiscDogger for about 7 years now and he was one of the earliest representatives in Europe to try to spread the word of proper disciplines. Sven has many years of experience in judging international competition .

Kris Maes & Bonita

His discdog carrier starts in the 2004

Johan Matthijs & Silver

Belgium

Stefaan Timmermans & Haya

Stefaan is a very well-known in Europe , not only because he's a good discdogger , but also because his partner is not a Border Collie, as in most cases, but a Rottweiler. Ice (Isack). Haya is a Malinois of a friend of his.

Gilles Vandenbroecke & Diam & Jimmy

SvenVan Driessche

SvenVan Driessche

Sven Van Driessche

You are a reference point when we are talking about Skyhoundz in Europe... How was the 2012 Skyhoundz in Europe ?

It was a fantastic year where I got to see people competing in all but 2 events. The cherry on top of the cake was the European Championship for me personally. I have never seen so many competitors that had a chance to go home with first place. It was amazing how high the level was as opposed to two years ago. But what pleased me most was the atmosphere that was there the entire weekend. It sounds like a cliché but we were all part of the same “flow” that weekend.

Also concerning the other qualifiers you could clearly see that the experience of the people hosting them, is growing and growing which means they are run way smoother that when I started out. Also the number of competitors in the novice classes was striking at all the events. It’s great to see new people enter and have fun. In both classes you see motivated people that combine holiday and discdogging and show up at events all over Europe. It’s really becoming an international sport and I can only compliment both competitors and hosts for their dedication to the sport.

This year it seems that many European talent can not be part of the finals in States, this is a big disappointment, knowing that there is a potential possibility to have some European discdoggers on the podium , but may not can be prove it ...

Yes, it is a bit disappointing that there won’t be that many European representatives at the Worlds. It is a fantastic experience to meet the guys over there and get some great stories and of course a lot of experience. I’ve been to the Worlds 5 times now and each one of them has its special moments. However I understand very well what kind of a sacrifice it is for both human and dog. Not only there is the financial side of the story, but it also is stressful to travel with your best friend. I do have to say that neither of my both dogs that made the trip, had any problems with it. Both were maybe a little tired for a couple of days but so were we…

What do you think ...who can struggle with the Americans for the top places in the standings?

The level in Europe has risen quite substantially in the last years but to take the top standings you need more than doing well in the Qualifiers. Already when you travel within Europe you see people perform beneath their possibilities when they are out of their comfort zone. Imagine what it’s like when you’re amongst the best in the sport and you are eager to perform well… There have been a few Europeans who could keep it together in the past however (Istvan Fodor, Angela Tederke, Christina Weiss, Juergen Bartz and Conny Sawicki, …) and ended on the podium of the Skyhoundz Worlds. Also in the other formats there are European players that took some nice results across the big lake. I’m very confident this will happen more and more in the near future.

Van Driessche


Next year I hope to be able to repeat this year. The main focus will probably be on judging and teaching rather than playing as it was this year. Both my dogs that compete aren’t that young anymore but they love it that much to play and I do as well. So who am I to take the fun away? I already wish every disc dogger a fantastic new season and for those who do go to the Worlds in either format: good luck!!!!

Van Driessche

Italy

Luca Felician & Joy

Luca is a discdog trainer in Italy and the founder and trainer of FlyingDogs DiscDog Team . During this years runs throughout Italy to promote the discipline with seminars, exibitions and teaching in in Italy.

Matteo Gaddoni & Flower

He’s the coach and captain of the Team Hard Disc Dogs . Several times world and European champion in Frisbee. Since 2006 he has also started practicing disc dog and now is one of the greatest players even in this sport. This year he become also the Skyhoundz freestyle European Champion and placed 3rd at the AWI European Championship.

Salvio Annunziato & Blu

This year he has qualified for both Skyhoundz that for AWI World Finals. I think that this was a wonderful year for him, the owner of Cane Loco , a canine multidisciplinary center where he is also involved in the preparation of dogs for the Cinema and Advertising.

Adrian Stoica & Rory Adrian Stoica & Tinkerbell

Adrian has taken the road of disc dog a few years ago, but the results are amazing: Last year was 1st with Rory and 2nd with Jay at the 2011 European Championship Open Novice and 1st with Rory in Sport Novice. This year he finished 2nd at the AWI European Championship.

Italy

Diego Marchetti & Sammie Boy

Diego and one of the key figures in Italy when it’s about discdog . A Skyhoundz master. This year his best results were the 2nd place at the 2012 Skyhoundz European Championship in Open Expert and the 4th also at the 2012 Skyhoundz European Championship in Sport Expert.

Enrico Collini & Remi & Athena & Jack

Enrico is very famous in Italy but not only because he managed to bring home some good results with his dogs, but also because he's a person with a lot of grit and clear ideas. His best results : 4th 2012 Skyhoundz European Championship MicroDog and 12th at the 2011 Skyhoundz World Championship in MicroDog last year in the USA.

Riccardo Vignali & Winona

Moreno Bei & Safira

Adrian Stoica

Adrian Stoica

Adrian Stoica

This year you will be present for the first time at the World Finals.What do you expect for the finals in the USA?

Well, because it is the first time I hope to learn from the ones that have been prancticing this sport for a long time. It wouldn’t bee bad to make it in the top half of the list :)

In recent years, the Italian scene and grew very fast ... Where do you see yourself the next year?

For the next year... I hope to became better and qualify again for the World Finals

Favorite trick?

Favorite trick, hmmm: the cigarette that goes through the pocker card without burning it HAHAHA, Joking. Favorite trick: rebound


The show and the relationship that you create with your dog. Maybe that is because I see the routines like a show and not like an exam.


FREESTYLEEEEEEEEE, That is the one that represents me more


It depends a lot of the weather, if I have space to practice....Usualy ones a day, mabey two if familly lets me (You know... I do have one wife and 2 kids :)) )


My strenght: my dog, My weakness: ME :))

3 things that you can't live without?

My familly, my dogs and obviously DiscDog. Remember, it’s allways SHOWWWWTIMEEEEE

EnricoColliniColliniEnrico Enrico Collini

interview

This year would be the second year of your world finals.What do you expect for the finals in the USA?

I do not really expect anything, I just think to have fun with my fantastic partner (dog), for me it does not matter the result (1 °, 2 °, 3 °). Unfortunately this year I will not be participating at the world championships in USA because the journey is too expensive but I'm already saving up for next year! However, I'm so sorry not to take part in the finals and especially not to see the best players and learn much from them.

In recent years, the Italian scene and grew very fast, you became a member of the Team Hero Europe , Gaddoni is on the top in Europe, Adrian Stoica grows very quickly, Luca Felician and others are at the levels of other Europeans disc doggers . What do you expect for the 2013 ?

For 2013, I expect the disc dog in Italy grow even more, and I hope to help the disc dog. I personally have no precise results, I like to compete and to challenge myself. In fact I've got a goal: I want to try to make everyone understand that in the disc dog the most important thing is the health of the dog, I think that this point should always stressed, it is very easy to forget.

Enrico Collini

“

EnricoColliniColliniEnrico Collini interview

What do you think: Filming tricks and see them on the phone or computer has speeded up the growth of many discdoggers or not? How the Internet has changed the world of dog sports ?

The disc dog is already despised by many people and, unfortunately, some videos do not help to grow the sport. This discipline is certainly one of the most spectacular, but made at high levels is still very dangerous and should be performed by expert players. See video of some difficult evolutions can be a stimulus for learning but also dangerous for the self-taught. is very difficult to say if the videos and movies are helpful or not.

Where you find the inspiration for new tricks ?

The inspiration for my new tricks is by my dogs, I do not watch and study other players to copy the moves, but I look at my dogs and try to understand what they can do according to age, breed and character.

What music can you not leave home when you go to a competition ?

Indeed, when I go to training or teaching do not listen to music, only a few times do workouts with music, I prefer the conductor especially in the beginning to focus on his dog, and in particular to play with him.

I want to try to make everyone understand that in the disc dog the most important thing is the health of the dog ”

“

Favorite trick?

Unlike many players my favorite trick is not the vault in any form, but it is the skip, the tap and kick. I love to try them in many combinations, I think they are very difficult and I pull stimulate the imagination!


My favorite part of the day is the evening not the night, not so much partying and prefer to sleep at night!


My strengths are that I have fun with little and I like to play a lot with my dogs, my weak point is that they are very sincere and sometimes a little naive or inexperienced.

Yours plans for the future?

For the future I would just like to grow my team disc dog, I would find more and more people who play disc to have fun and not just to compete.

Are you interested in other sports or hobbies as well as the Frisbee?

We practice different sports over the disc dog, with my dogs do both agility and sheep dog, everything in moderation, but I think the dog should be fun to do anything, not only discs, although it is the most fun.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If I could go anywhere I would go to China and also in a beautiful Caribbean beach, always with my dogs and at least one disk.

Enrico Collini

LLFelicianFelicianinterview

Last year you where present at the Skyhoundz World Finals in Chattanooga.

What are your most beautiful memories of the 2011 “USA tour“ ?

Many are the indelible moments of those days but certainly I'll never forget the first steps with Joy in the field of world championships. just thinking I still lack the breath.

Play on the same field with legends like Mark Muir, Lawrence Frederick, Tracy Custer, Chuck Middleton and many others is a indescribable feeling. until recently I watched their videos to try to “steal” their secrets and be with them it was really great.

Of course when I play in Europe I’m really happy because the competition is the only moment where I can play whit some friend like Angela and Martin, Istvan and Andrea, Sven, Joszef, Jurgen, Vicent and many other European players.

In recent years, the Italian scene has grew very fast... What is your vision of disc dog in Italy for the 2013 ?

In this years the Italian scene is amazing. We’ve many players that compete at best in European scene. I’m sure that for the 2013 it will be better than this years, we’re growing faster than I thought and I really hope that next year will be more national competition to have the possibility to compare the Italians players level and growing togheter.

What do you think ...is there a big difference between a competition against some “legends” of the discdog (like Chuck Middleton , Lawrence Frederick, Tracy Custer …) in the USA or a European Championship competition against the best European discdoggers?

ucauca

Luca Felician

What are your greatest satisfactions in your carrer?

Of course my first World Championship was an amazing satisfacion about my agonistic carrer. I've to be honest and I've to tell that my greatest satisfaction is seen my dogs happy to play and have fun togheter.


During this year I had some problems so I can't training as I like. Generally I trow fresbee for 2 hours a day and I play with all my 6 dogs for 15/20 minutes each to practice the routine and tricks. I spent a lot of time to the atheltic training of my dogs.

How changes your training during the season and off season ?

There's a lot of different about training during the season and off season.

In winter I totally focus on atheltc trainig of my dogs with many different exercise for his fisical health like swimming, run and jump on sand or snow and many others.

I study all exercices thinking about the level of each dog.

At the end of the of season I start to practice and play with frisbee. During the season I generally focus on training of new tricks and prepare the routine with dogs. My final goal of course is the weekend of World Championship and I generally study the entire year to be at top of condition for this event.

Luca Felician

What is so special for you about discdog?

Everything is special plyaing Discdog. The most important think that make this sport so special is the fun that I have when I play with my dogs, the feelings, the relationship, all the hard moments training some new tricks. Everything make this discdog so special and when you start you’re completely addicted to it.

Favorite trick?

For sure backvault and flip with Joy


I've a lot of plans and ideas for the future. For sure I'll training me and my dogs more than this years. I worked during 2012 to realize two special projects about discdog and I hope that at the end of 2012 they start to realize them.


First of all thanks a lot for the interview. I’d like to say thank you to all the people who were close to my during this hard year: Gio , my family, Filippo and Luca the greatest crazy discdog team ever, Annabella, Ulisse e Claudio to trust in me and in my job, Tella and Gianluca for the friendship, Chicco and Roberta, all the people who came at my seminars and lessons during this year and all the people I forget.

HungaryJózsef Zsíros & Seesco & Blacky

József is the distance , toss & catch master, seems to be his favorite discipline ... last year he had already been present at the World Championship in the USA, but did not go so well...this year will be totaly different...he will stay focused and will demonstrate what he can do on the field.Some of his best achievements are : 1st USDDN EC 2011 Super-Pro Toss & Fetch ,1st 2010 Skyhoundz Sport Expert European Championship , 1st 2011 Skyhoundz Sport Expert EC and 3rd with Blacky the same year in Sport Expert .This year he finished second at the 2012 Skyhoundz Sport Expert European Championship.

István Fodor & Fanni

Istvan is the First Hungarian discdogger thet reached the podium on a World Championship .Last year from the Skyhoundz World Championship István took home the 3rd place in Sport Expert and the 7th in pairs with Andrea Kovacs & Fanni .Istvan and Andrea were also the 2011 European Champions in Pairs and 2nd in the 2012. This year he won the AWI Hungarian round, seems that he and Fanni are in a very good shape , but he will be not able to go at the World Championship in the USA.

Andrea Kovacs & Cora

Andrea is ivolved in this discipline already for some years with very satisfactory results. Her best results were seen in pairs with Istvan & Fanni

Hungary

Csilla Tóth & Amy

Krisztian Bence & Luca

Krisztian is growing from year to year in the 2010 he finished in 5th place at the Skyhoundz European Championship Sport Expert and in the 2011 3rd at the Skyhoundz European Championship Open Expert . This year he wasn't present at the Skyhoundz EC but nevertheless he qualified for the Skyhoundz World Championship and also for the AWI World Finals.

Susanne Kubovec & Ares

Istvan Zebegnyei & Zara

Eva Nagy & Bubu

Eva has qualified for the Skyhoundz World Finals. Her best results this year was the 4th place at the Skyhoundz European Championship Open Expert

Krisztina Heberling & Roni

Anikó Horváth & Pheobe

Anikó is well known in Hungary as in discdog as in Agility . She represented the Hungary at the FMBB in Agility

Daniel Neel & Jessie

Lee Fairchild & DD

Mariann Kovács & Zora

Dorottya Jakab & Emma

Kata Kerényi & Duncan

Hungary

Adrienn Molnár & Said

Nóra Prenner & Neela

Her best results this year was the 2nd place at the Skyhoundz European Championship Open Expert

Edina Bojtor & Zsizsik

She's a powerful discdogger that has achieved some very good results one of them is the 6th place at the Skyhoundz 2010 World Championship MicroDog in Chattanooga, Tennessee .This year she finished 2nd at the Skyhoundz European Championship in Olen, Belgium in the MicroDog class.

Kata Kerényi & Duncan

Istvan Fodor

Istvan Fodor

FodorLast year from the Skyhoundz World Finals in Chattanooga, Tennessee you have brought home some very good results (3rd in Sport Expert and 7th in Pairs with Andrea Kovacs ).


One of the best memories was of course standing there on the podium, with my dog, Fanni deserved every clap we received. The strongest positive memory from the USA was being there, with the likes of Mark Muir, Chuck Middleton, Lawrence Frederick, Tracy Custer or Kirby, people that we here in Europe watch only on Youtube or some livestream. It was incredible to see them in action, something I hope I can repeat in the future.

This year you will not be present at the World Finals in the USA...a real shame because you are one of the European discdoggers that can really take home a podium place.

What do you think ...which European Discdogger can struggle with the Americans for the top places in the standings?

I think Europeans can take the challenge, especially this year. I am especially rooting for my friends, who luckily will all start in different events. All of them are more than capable, and deserve to be on the podium. Zsíros József wants revenge for last year, I am sure he will be up to the task. I really hope Matteo Gaddoni will be able to put down a killer routine at both Skyhoundz and AWI World Finals. Angela and Martin Tederke, if they can perform as they have at the Skyhoundz European Championships, I am sure there can only be a great result for them in Microdog and Pairs Freestyle. And of course, Christina Weiß and Ronja will rock the field as they always do. So from my point of view, Europe has a good chance this year to take away some of those podium spots from the Americans.

Who are your favorite discdoggers. Which are the “strongest“ for you (top 5) ?

I don’t really have an order for my favorite players, so I will just enumerate. The first I mention, though, has to be Sven van Driessche. He has started me off in this sport, and has never stopped being a huge influence. I respect and love him for the way he plays the game, always putting the dog in first place. The same can be said for Mark Muir, who I had the great honor to get to know and call a friend this year. He is not only World Champion, but an all around great person, who lives for his dogs and family. Chuck Middleton is also one of the guys I always look forward to seeing videos of. He is the perfect example of how hard work, dedication and attention to detail is very important in this great sport. I am lucky enough to call Zsíros József one of my good friends. He is one of the best distance throwers around, but he is also a really good guy. If you need help, he is always there. I would also like to mention those, who we do not know, those who come to competition just to hang out, have a great day with their dogs, and just go back home happy. It takes more, and in my eyes, it deserves more respect to stay in this sport year in and year out, even though you do not always have the best results, or no podium finishes, etc. They are the backbone of the sport and in my opinion, well worth mentioning every time we have the chance.

Favorite trick?

We don’t really have one, we try to practice and execute each to the best of our ability, but Fanni especially loves skip throws. Whenever she sees one coming, and she can tell pretty easily already, you can see that she jumps with a different attitude to get the skipped disc from the air. I try to put 2-3 skip shots in my routine, just because of this. :)


For me it was the vault. Fanni is my first dog, I have been in the sport only since I have her. When we started learning the vaults, she got the picture very quickly, but it took me at least half of year of hard work, to make sure that I can put the disc where she prefers to vault. She is not a high jumper, but she can push away, so we try to do longer vaults. There is also a safety aspect behind this, as I will never put her too high for a disc (I am man enough to admit that I have a few times, but have learned from my mistakes).


My plans are only to enjoy my time spent with my dog. As Mark says, we only have a short time with our dogs, better make it good times. I almost lost her a few years ago, due to an intestinal infection, so now we just try to enjoy what this sport can offer. I would love to make it to the World Finals next year, to show that Fanni can be great in Freestyle as well, although that means lots of hard work from my part. We take it one competition at a time, hope to improve with each one.


Thank you for the honor of asking me for this interview. With the World Finals in mind, I would just like to add: GO EUROPE!!!!!!

Istvan Fodor

József Zsíros

József Zsíros

Last year you where present at the Skyhoundz World Finals in Chattanooga.


In the last year we had a lot of problem. So in this situation I can’t be honest. But first time in my life I could see the biggest competitors on the world. These people can give amazing moment to me always.

This year you will be there for the World Finals in the USA. What do you expect from this event?

First of all I would like to show for the American competitors, I'm not that the loser what They saw in last year :) and I hope I won't be disappointed, It's mean that I would like to stand up the podium. This is my big dream.


I prefer the distance category to freestyle. I have a lot of good result in the distance category and in the longdistance (Quadruped) category, due to I prefer these categorys to other.

What do you think ...is there a big difference between a competition against some “legends” of the discdog (like Chuck Middleton , Lawrence Frederick ,Tracy Custer …) in the USA and a European Championship competition against the best European discdoggers?

HUH, this is hard question. The first thing what I think is nothing. But If we put our hand on our heart, that I have to say that, the American competitors have a big advantage. The European best competitors are talent, but the legends in USA have more experience. The European leader Discdoggers are real talent also. But in the USA started this sport more earlier than in Europe. But we know in Europe that It’s possible achieve what they know. If we could see the last result of year when Lucka Shönová (from Czech Republic) was the USDDN World Champion in Toss & Catch category and István Fodor (from Hungary) was the third in Skyhoundz world final in distance category also. So in my opinion there aren’t that the big different what we think.


If we talk about that the real training, when I throw the disc, that this time is 3-4 hours per day and I practising 3-5 day per week. It depend how many free time do I have.


The strengths are easy, That is my second dog Seesco! I have experience from the sport competition, but I don’t think that this would be advantage.

I have more weaknesses. :) I’m very nerves on the competition, and I’m able to became to angry If happening something what irritate me. I lost few competition due to this behavior. I can’t finish the practicing, and because of some times I’m exhausted on the competition. I had to learn how can manage these things, but some times I forget what did I learn!

József Zsíros

Do you have some hobbies or do you play some other sports ?

Yes I have. We compete in the flyball with our teams GKSK Cani-Ball. We hold the Hungarian record, and in these teams I can compete with my both dogs.

Fortunatly we can training and compete with our friend, so I very enjoy the all training and competition.

Favorite trick?

I haven't got it. I'm happy If I can teach that things for my dogs what I want. I don’t care about that things are little or enormous.


Seesco catch my all throw. :)


I'm waiting my new pup, and I would like to travel in USA two years later, and I would like to start on all World Final ( USDDN, SkyHoundz, AWI, UFO ) with my dogs. And my other big dream is that I would like to that Seesco catch my throw what is more than 90 meters. We know that this si possible in the training, but I would like to show that in the competition.


If somebody would like to know more information from us, that these people can find information in the www.twoandhalfborder.eu

http://www.twoandhalfborder.eu/

Spain

Francisco Orellana & Cleo

David Roman & CIA & Ro

David made his first steps in this sport in 2008, becoming the precursor of the sport and being the only Spanish participant in international championships. He is the founder of DiscKillers Spain and a USDDN judge. He participated with his Border Collie "CIA" in several European and world competitions, proclaiming 2010 world runners in Atlanta (USA), Czech Rep Runners-up in 2010 and fourth in 2010 among other feats European.Some of his best results are the 8th place at the 2011 USDDN European Championship ,2nd 2010 USDDN Super Pro World Championships and 4th 2010 USDDN Division II Championships. This year he has qualified for the AWI World Finals.

Joaquien Bernal & Truck

Fernando Calderon & Scot

Spain

Netherlands

Edwin van Deurzen & Simba

Edwin is a trainer at the Endless Dog Fun Dogfrisbee school.

Perry Van Mulukom & Chubby

Frans van Roij & Eros

Puck van de Marel & Obi1

Bas van der Veer & Laika

Netherlands

Marjolaine van Arkel & Chubby

Alena Smolikova & Keysi & Britney

Jájina Malinská & Celza

Helena Hofmanová & Strike

Alena is been known for years in the world of dog sport not only for victories in the disc dog, like the European champion title USDDN 2011 with Keyse and 2nd place with Britney... but also for having won in 2010 at the Crufts International Freestyle Competition with Keysi

Czech Rep.

Jajina has grown a lot in discdog the recent years, taking home some very important results. This year she will represent the Czech Rep. at the USDDN Disc Dog World Finals

Czech Rep.

Lucka Schönová & Dixi

Nowadays as we speak of discdog in Europe, we can not do without mention Lucka. Lucka is already at the top for years in Europe and has also demonstrated last year by winning the title of world champion USDDN Toss & Catch in America. And a fabolous 5th place in the Super Open Freestyle Worlds Finals .

Tereza Brozkova & Lotty

Michaela Andrová & Annakim

She’s also one of the best disc doggers in Czech Republic where she almost always placed in the top 10 .

Michal Roman & Jessee James

Pavel Kos & Coffee

Markéta Urbášková & Chuckie

Lucka Plevová & Rayo

I think that Lucka will become one of the biggest champions of the sport in Europe if not in the World. She has all the credentials to do so and to represent the Czech Republic at the USDDN Disc Dog World Finals 2012 in the best way ever. Her best achievements were made with Garp : 9th at the USDDN 2010 World Finals and 23rd at the USDDN 2011 World Finals.

It’s evident that Pavel grown a lot in the sport. This year he has made some beautiful results as the third place at the 2012 USDDN European Dogfrisbee Championships , he also won at the Ústecký psí festival 2012 and did the best freestyle and overall 3rd place at the 6th Dogfrisbee Czech Championship in Nymburk .

Czech Rep.

Bye Bye Summer Place: Dvůr Králové nad Labem (Czech republic)Date: 27.-28.10.2012Info: www.discdog.cz

Paralel TimeTrialQuadruped

DogDartbee

Super Pro TF

Sometimes it snow, but we don’t care

Come to say BYE BYE

to the discdog season 2012

to the heart of european dogfrisbee

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Saturday PartyWinner takes all

DiscDogFunWeekend 2012

http://www.discdog.cz/

JakubYou are a reference point when we are talking about the Disc dog in Czech Rep.

What do you think ...which European Discdogger can struggle with the Americans for the top places in the standings?

It is difficult to say becouse each competition is so much specific and who wins on one day can easily be 10th or 20th the other day in this sport. Different conditions, different judge’s crue, different portion of good luck and so much other “little things” that make the final results can change every day... But from what I could see in last European Dogfrisbee Championship in Poznan I think the top5 is easily competitive in the top world class dogfrisbee which means not only US players but also the Japanese. The same shows the results -. 5th on this year EC was Lucka Schönova with Dixi who was 5th on the last year USDDN World Championship (best European team that year)...


The action. I just like when dogs like the game and enjoy it as well as I do.


Sure. It was 17.7.2004 on GDDA competition in Berlin. I have participated with our terv Delphine Erlander in Minidistance. Two months later I played my first »freestyle« on GDDA competition in München. Again with Delphine. But later this year I met Sabine Bruns and Marcus Wolff and had some more serious trainings with our other tervueren Anee Oridix and than took part on the EC 2005 in Neuss (Germany). And it was the break point of my »discdog career«..

ŠtýbrJakubŠtýbr

Jakub Štýbr

ŠtýbrŠtýbrExplain to as your typical training day.

If it is an ideal one, I am not the only player and I start to throw with the partner - different throws, different technics... Later we take dogs for a few minutes to play. Everytime I have different tricks to practice but not more than one or two. Or I play my whole routine as in competition - without any corrections (I mean players often stick to repeat tricks that were not OK in the training. And than they come to competition where repetitions are not what they should show...) This way I get used to keep on playing even I made a mistake...


This happens, and it happens in every dog sports. Unfortunately! Players should always look after their dogs as the players are responsible for their comfort...

Favorite trick?

“Not a typical trick but I like when the team play “big game” - I mean when they use whole field for their routine and when the routine is fluent. For me dogfrisbee freestyle is not a set of tricks I rather see general impression from the performance.”


Any good throw.


Playing safe for the dog and trying to help in keeping the good sportsmanship in Czech team we had on last (several) EC... ;-)



Yes. Absolutly. Shering tricks on the web is just great opportunity for discdog sport!

I think it has changed a lot. But I cannot compare maybe as well as some other since I know the dogsport only from the age of internet. ;-)

I only can say, that the internet has huge influence on developing the discdog in Czech republic as we could keep in touch since the beginning with the best players and trainers from all over the world very easy which would be much harder without it. And sharing stuff, discussing and making friends (even via internet) is also one of the important elements we all like this sport so much...

Jakub Štýbr

http://www.discdog.cz/

Favorite trick?

“Not a typical trick but I like when the team play “big game” - I mean when they use whole field for their routine and when the routine is fluent. For me dogfrisbee freestyle is not a set of tricks I rather see general impression from the performance.”


Any good throw.


Playing safe for the dog and trying to help in keeping the good sportsmanship in Czech team we had on last (several) EC... ;-)


Air (I do not mean the Hero Air 235 this time ;-)), water and love. ;-)


Never bring to bear your competitive ambitions in freestyle competition. Just come and play your best and hope that some other (and hopefully judges) will like it too. Judging freestyle will always be subjective... The goal of discdog is to enjoy the game with your dog. The victory can be a special bonus.

Lucka

You came from the Czech Rep. One of the country that is a poit of referment when people talk about disc dog in Europe. What do you think ...which European Discdogger can struggle with the Americans for the top places in the standings?

We have many good competitors in Europe. This year will be very few teams from Europe at the USDDN World finals. So , I can not say who can struggle with Americans.

Last year at the USDDN World finals you did a good impression with 2 very good FreeStyle Rounds and unfortunately a bad Toss & Fetch Round.What do you expect for the finals in the USA?

This year I will go to the states with my second dog , the younger one , Rayo. Now , I expect better Toss & Fetch than last year and I still gain experience for freestyle with Rayo.


Visit to the Atlanta Aquarium and visit to the city Charleston.

levováP

Lucka Plevova


Interplay between the player and dog.



I think so.

Internet has helped to people all in the world for get informations about dogs and dog sports. Now people have better relationship with dogs.

Favorite trick?

Be ashamed ( Paws over face )

levová

Angela Tederke & Lucie

Angela and Martin are the owners of the Flying-k9’s Luthe Club. This year Angela & Lucie became the Skyhoundz European Champions in Microdog. She finished in 4th place last year at the Skyhoundz World Championship in USA - Microdog and with Martin & Pepper finished 8th at the Skyhoundz WC in Pairs and this year they are the European Pairs Champions...an amazing team!

Christina Weiss & Ronja

Christina is the AWI European Champion 2012. A very special girl with a special dog. She’s also placed 3rd at the UFO European Cup . She was the 2010 Skyhoundz European Champion MicroDog .This year at the Skyhoundz EC she finished 5th and also the 2011 Ufo European Cup Finals Throw & Catch winner!

GermanyGermany

Sebastian Grahn & Paul

Karin Liedmeyer & & Fynn

Bettina Koch & Tabasco

The ability of this team is growing from competition to competition. This year Bettina & Tabasco finished in 6th place at the AWI European Championship and second in Toss & Catch EC. At the UFO European Cup she was 2nd in Throw & Catch and 5th in Open Combined . At the AWI German round she took home the bronze medal in Open and also in the Toss & Catch. Super Team in an amazing symbiosis!

Frank Funke & Baffy & Spike

Frank is awesome! He brought home some superb results from every format of competition! I think that he’s the only European discdogger with this honor. He’s the winner of the 2012 USDDN European Championship. This year we has also the European Champion at the UFO EC Open Throw & Catch and finished 4th in the Open Combined. Last year at the 2011 UFO European Cup Finals he finished 2nd. This year was also 4th at the AWI European Championship in Open and also in Toss & Catch. One who knows his business and he can do very well at the World Championship in the USA.

Nico Feller & SpikeJulia Link & Shana

Guido Averesch & Loona Melanie Glasstetter & Enya

Andre Bauer & Frodo

Martin Tederke & Pepper

Another discdog master from Germany ... Last year he finished 8th at the Skyhoundz EC and 5th with Angela & Pepper in pairs. This year he became the Skyhoundz European Champion with Angela and Pepper and finished 7th in Open Expert EC!

Sandra Funke & Patches & Emma & Spike

Sandra Funke qualified for the AWI WC with 2 dogs and for the Skyhoundz WC with Spike ...She’s every year better

Thomas Sander & Skippy

Thomas is always in the top 10...this year he finished 6th at the Skyhoundz European Championship in Olen , Belgium.

Jürgen Bartz & Summit

Jürgen is a very good discdogger and the connection with Conny Sawicki & Quigley is perfect, their team was 5th in the USA at the 2010 Skyhoundz World Championship Pairs and this year they are the Skyhoundz European Champions in Pairs

Germany

Conny Sawicki & Quigley & Lion

Conny as Jürgen Bartz and Julia Zimmermann is one of the first discdoggers in Germany. She was always on the top and she’s still on the top ,She proved it this year by winning the Skyhoundz European Championship Open Masters with Quigley and took home the 2nd place at the EC Pairs with Jürgen Bartz & Quigley. Last year at the Skyhoundz EC they were 2nd with Summit and 3rd with Quigley .

Timo Kehlbeck & Ronja

Timo was the AWI European Champion in the 2011 ,this year he finished 5th at the AWI EC but won the UFO European Cup! He's very talented and when he's ready nobody can stop him , and with Ronja they will do their best

Julia Zimmermann & Leeloo

Julia is , a disc dog legend in flesh and bones , from Karlsruhe ,Germany. She’s involved in disc dog for more then 10 years .It’s unnecessary to write that he has collected excellent results during his career , perhaps It’s sufficient to say that she was 5 times worldchampionship finalists,German and European discdog Freestyle Champions ,3 times German masters ( 3 years in a row ),5th place at World Cup Standings, special guest for the Extreme K9 Stuntdogshow USA. She’s also the AWI Europe Organizator and the capitain of the Team Hero Europe .

Julia Julia is , a disc dog legend in flesh and bones , from Karlsruhe ,Germany. She’s involved in disc dog for more then 10 years .It’s unnecessary to write that he has collected excellent results during his career , perhaps It’s sufficient to say that she was 5 times worldchampionship finalists,German and European discdog Freestyle Champions ,3 times German masters ( 3 years in a row ),5th place at World Cup Standings, special guest for the Extreme K9 Stuntdogshow USA. She’s also the AWI Europe Organizator and the capitain of the Team Hero Europe .

Julia Zimmermann

Zimmermann

The Hero Disc USA have selected the members of the Team Hero Europe . You are the capitan of the team . What will be your role/task as a capitan?

As Captain my role / task is in first place to be a good example for all team members. I´m the one they can ask everything they want to know, to help them out if they have any problems and I am the one who is managing the stuff they need to promote the team. Of course I am the one who has an eye on them... how they present the team... too. It is a very complex “job” and I really love it! It is a great thing to promote Hero Disc USA AND the greatest dog sport on earth, together with teams from different European countries. I´m VERY proud to have the honor to be the Team captain!!

Can you explain to us how It’s all started?How did they arrive to this idea?

Well, the idea of a Team Hero here is not that new. Many years ago,when we had the first AWI qualifier in Germany,there already was a rumor about this could happen. But then nothing happens and no one was thinking about that anymore. Last year Thomas Sander brought the idea back on table and this time it happened :) Thanks again Thomas! And thanks to Hero Disc USA and Matt DiAno to make it happen! All team members are super excited and proud to be part of another piece of history in the Discdog world and we all will do our very best to make it a success! It is a great chance to bring the people/ countries in the sport closer together!

Zimmermann

It seems that the disc dogger Europe are growing very fast..Can be one of the factor watching new videos , of disc dog legends from the USA, every month on the Internet?

Honestly I don´t know if watching disc dog legends from the USA on video is the reason for the growing. Maybe that was the reason at the beginning. Right now I guess here in Europe are a lot of excellent discdogger teams and they are way more active with videos in the web and with traveling to hold workshops. So my thought is that here in Europe we are now at the point to be able to grow our self. Of course, the input from discdoggers from the USA or Japan or China who come is still important too!



Yes , I think the internet and the option to be able to use it almost everywhere is an important fact to let the sport grow! So , yes the internet has changed the world of discdog sport a lot!Not just the videos available in the web. Also the different ways to get and keep in touch with teams from all over the world!


Yep, it is disappointing that teams from outside of the USA always have difficulties to make it to the World Finals.

So of course the BIG goal is to keep working on brining the World Finals to Europe and Asia to make it more fair for everyone. Keep your fingers crossed for the day it will happen is closer than we think ;)


Well, yes I would like to add my wrap-up about the AWI EC. You can find it at the front page of the AWI webpage.


And of course I take the time for your interviews!! It is always a honor to get appearance in your magazine!

Julia Zimmermann

yes the internet has changed the world of discdog sport a lot!Not just the videos available in the web. Also the different ways to get and keep in touch with teams from all over the world! ”

“

http://www.fundoginfo.de/

Timo Kehlbeck

TimoKehlbeckThis year you won the UFO European Cup , last year the AWI . The next year will be the World Championship or more European titles together?

Ohhh I was so Happy to get the UFO European Champion. I have plans for the World Championships in America and I will start at the AWI, UFO and USDDN European Championships 2013.. We will see what happened..

What are your greatest disc dog moments this year?

My greatest moments were that I get to know my new Girlfriend Petra Beer, the AWI EC at home and of course the UFO EC in Switzerland, the home of my good friend Marcel Buff..

I prefer the Freestyle “

TimoKehlbeck

I prefer the Freestyle ”

Timo Kehlbeck


Yes thats boring. The trip is much expensive and I think the European Discdoggers can keep up in the States..


I don´t know who travels to the States but I think Christina Weiss, Matteo Gaddoni, Frank FunkeEva Zwicker, Alen Soldic, Adrian Stoica and maybe me can struggle with them...


I think I prefer the Freestyle Part. And I like every Category of UFO, AWI or USDDN. Skyhoundz i never played so I can´t say anything about it...


My plans for the future are that we have with the other discdoggers so much fun how we have the last years.. I like this sport and i like the informally atmosphere and this is discdogging..

And the other plan is to fligh to the States in 2013..

interview withFrank Funke

Last year at the USDDN finals in the USA you made a very good impression just as in the year before. They say you improved rapidly, what do you expect for the final in 2012?

This question is easy to answer: Not only myself, but my wife as well as my kids had to forgo on quite a few things to make it possible for me to compete at the USDDN finals in 2010 and 2011. For this reason we decided that I will not participate in any final this year even though I am only the second European player - after Reint Elzinger in 2006 - who managed to qualify for all world finals (USDDN, UFO, AWI, Skyhoundz) in the same year.

Frank Funke

turn the page :)

I can only wish for a world final taking place in Europe one day as the costs summing up for the european and asian teams are incredible high every year. Different countries hosting the finals would spread the costs among the competitors and hopefully raise the number of competing nations. This year‘s USDDN European Championship carried through beautifully in Poland with 13 participating nations was a clear sign for me that a world final could be held in Europe. What ist your best memory of your 2011 “US-Tour“? What always comes first to my mind when thinking back to the world final is the strong bond between the European teams. Of course as well with the Japanese teams who we spent a lot of time with on sight seeing trips, other social events and of course at the competition. We were a big family that planned and spent the whole day together. Lest we forget the kindness and support of the American and Canadian teams! We only had postive experiences and we hope to see everyone soon. What is most satisfying in your carreer?

First and foremost that I still can spend my days, trainings and shows with Baffy, 4 years after her heart operation and that she is still going strong and proves to be exceedingly healthy. But it is also very satisfying to see how much my own ,offspring‘ (Saskia & Alina) love this sport and how strongly they bonded with their partners, their dogs.

First and foremost that I still can spend my days, trainings and shows with Baffy, 4 years after her heart operation and that she is still going strong and proves to be exceedingly healthy ”

”

Frank Funke

How much time do you spend for training during a week?

The time spent for actually practicing dog frisbee with a dog is normally 2 training units a week, 3 at most. A training unit is about 5 minutes! The most part of our training doesn‘t revolve around the disk but it‘s a lot about stamina and attention span of the dog. Lack of stamina lessens the concentration of a dog which leads to mistakes without fail (risk of injury for dog and human). We exercise our dogs with long walks and swims in the lakes. Dog tricks and search games get their minds working. We include those into our training plans before, during and after the workout to draw conclusions on the training level of our dogs.

First and foremost that I still can spend my days, trainings and shows with Baffy, 4 years after her heart operation and that she is still going strong and proves to be exceedingly healthy

“This sport is never boring”

How does your training plan changes from event-season to off-season?

We split our training year in 3 parts. Winter break: In this time (Nov. - Feb.) we train ,“dogfrisbee“ max. once a week, depending on the weather conditions, but we increase the duration and length of our walks to keep a certain fitness level with the dogs. This time is defined through lots of mental work such as trick dogging and search games. Getting ready to rumble ;-) : Between March and May we concentrate on strength and stamina which we achieve through bicycle tours and water work. Another focus lies on a correct eye - mouth coordination in the actual disk work with the dog. Our young dogs which are being gently introduced into the sport practice their first sets which will be formed into a freestyle routine later during this time. For our matured dogs the set up of the freestyle routine comes into the focus of attention only a few days before the tournament. During event season: Now our training mostly consists of quality management respectively quality intensification. This means we try to better moves which still need work, enhance the flow in our routines and try to reduce flaws by possibly changing the sequence of sets in our routines. The rest of the time solely serves for the recreation of our dogs. At this point we don‘t include workouts in our training routines at all. Of course we still take the dogs for long walks and swims in the lake but this is for fun only.

Frank Funke

What makes the sport dog-frisbee so special for you? The multitude of possibilities to present a freestyle routine and always new ideas popping is fascinating. This sport is never boring. Favourite trick? It‘s not an individual trick I favour but the combination of several vaults, overs and throws, presented with a nice, smooth flow. Nothing worse for me than the flow of a routine being interrupted because of bad coordination and time management. Of course safety comes first and it is important to stop a routine and start again if it threatens to go out of hand and endangers the dog, but to me only a smooth freestyle can be a perfect freestyle. Which trick was the hardest to learn? With Baffy it was the flip that gave us the most trouble! It just wouldn‘t sink in that she should and could jump this way, following the disk. Finally we even scratched this trick from our repertoire. After over a year we gave it another try by accident - it worked straight away!! Your plans for the future? I don‘t have any set plans for the future yet! But a trend is beginning to show for the next years. I intend to get more active as a judge and/or organizer. I think I have the responsibility not only to enjoy being a player and having fun on the field but also to give competitors and new dog frisbee enthusiasts the possibility to participate on tournaments. On the other hand my family, dogs and I will also compete in the future, the „virus“ of this sport is hard to fight and I fear I am desperately ill. ;O)

“This sport is never boring”

Poland

Lukasz Kowa & Vetka

Lukasz is one of those who has contributed a lot in the growth of the sport in Poland. He's the DiscKillers Founder , discdog judge and of xourse a special discdog player. He participated with his Belgian Shepherd "kreVetka" in many competitions, both Polish and European level great results. This year he has qualified for the AWI World Finals.

Karolina Nowak & Java

Karolina is already known in Europe a couple of years with excellent results, but last year stunned the whole world, in America , where at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge in the competition Speed & Catch took the 2nd place , second only to hand Mark Muir and Rocket . She was already known in America for his achievement in 2010: 1st place at the USDDN Division II Championships . In the 2011 she finished 21st USDDN Super Open Freestyle Worlds Finals .

Poland

Rafal Grabowski & Kira

Michał Cyran & Niko

Michał is the 2012 USDDN European Dogfrisbee Champion in Quadruped.

Dominika Piszczek & Kiper

Rafal is a member of the Silesia Disc Dog Club . His disc dog career with Kira started in the 2010 and was good already at the beginning. We must also point out that Kira is also a rescue dog. Some of the latest superb results of this team : UFO Polish Champion Trow & Catch 2012 , Czech Master Dog Dartbee 2012

Anna Radomska & Pris

Anna is in the top 10 of the best European discdogger already for a long time , from any competition in which she participates, brings home some fantastic results. Las t year at the USDDN European Dogfrisbee Championships finished 4th inSuper Open , 4th in Toss & Catch and 2nd Quadruped .This year was 8th at the USDDN European Dogfrisbee Championships in Freestyle SuperOpen and became also the , USDDN Czech Champion 2012. Last year with Arsi finished 21st at the USDDN Disc Dog World Finals in Super Open.

Monika Wojciechowska & Viva

Monika is very young and of course talented. She’s so young and she’s already making her way among the great pillars of the European discdoggers ..This year finished 8th at the UFO European Cup and did the best freestyle of the competition in the 2nd round... We will hear a lot about her in 2013.

Poland

Hanna Parcewicz & Zeta

Agata Oleszczuk & Shilo

Agata is the 2012 USDDN European Dogfrisbee Champion in Toss & Catch

Ewelina 'Liliana' Łogožna & Kaa

Ewelina is the traiener and owner of the Temperament Dog Training Center - school for dogs and their handlers.

Dariusz RadomskiYou are a reference point when we are talking about the Disc dog in Poland and USDDN in Europe... Each year at the finals in the USA you are in struggle with the strongest discdoggers in the world, how much motivation gives this to you and to go on and be better every day?

That is nice to hear but I do not feel like that. I am more organiser than player. But - playing, participating in most prestigous discdog events helps me to be better organiser. Helps me to understand what players need, what spectators expect. I do care for both these aspects.

This year the European USDDN Championship was one of the biggest disc dog events in Europe and the DCDC series the best competitions in Europe...The Polish discdog scene is one of the best in Europe . How much satisfaction gives all this to you and how many sacrifices they hide behind this events?

It is again nice to hear. I was very proud to collect all these great players in one place and one time. I was happy to offer them nice environment with crowd who loves dogs and knows dogfrisbee very well. Sacrifices? I think there were some, lack of sleep, fatigue, lack of time for own dogs. EC in Poznań was huge scale even for me and me and my wife Anna who organise DCDC series since 2006. 33 contests within 7 years!

What do you expect from the finals in the USA?

Americans were beaten last year in both divisions. In Super Open by Marie Takaiwa from Japan, in Super-Pro Toss & Fetch by Lucie Schonova from Czech Republic. I am sure they will do a lot to bring titles back to the USA... I wait impatiently for livestream from Cartersville...


I would say differently - Who can struggle with the Japanese!! In my opinion the way they communicate with their dogs in freestyle is the most progressive and effective now.

What is your opinion : How much the European disc doggers are grown in the last years?

Difficult to measure. Melissa Heeter who judged DCDC Finals in Warsaw this year told me that Americans have no idea how high is Europe in DiscDogging these days. My opinion? Europe is about the level of American players and slightly behind the Japan.

Dariusz Rodomski

Dariusz Radomski

http://www.latajacepsy.pl/

What has fascinated you in disc dog sport?

Disc dog is the sport you can success only when you have perfect, positive communication with your dog. You can compete and win if you are teenager, if you are 50 - 60 years old, if you are an athlete, if you move yourself on the wheelchair. You can choose from variety of disciplines, freestyle, distance, accuracy, time trials.


Certainly - this was UFO contest in Belgium in May 2005. It was nice, friendly, well organised. First Quadruped in Europe was played there as well! We took the 3rd place. The field was too short for the winner (Marcus Wolff ), so to achieve good result he had to throw diagonally..

Do you have some hobbies?

I do flyball as well, my team Unleashed was the fastest during the European Flyball Championships this year in England (16,34 sec.). In season, the dogs take all my attention. I like wintersports, especially snowboard.

Explain to as your typical training day

In most cases I work with my dogs once a day. We go to a training field together and have several excercises. Throwing drills (no dogs involved), distance, accuracy, throwing techniques. Teaching dogs to catch difficult disc trajectories, working on retrieval (speed, efficiency) working on athlecisism (jump, landing style). I try to have some (4-5) freestyle sequences, about 20 - 30 sec. each, with dogs whith I do freestyle. We practice these sequences, work on new moves. If we have flyball training, my dogs do not train frisbee the same day.


It was even more dangerous when there were young dogs divisions played (still present in some countries). This sport is still very young in Europe. Too competitive people are everywhere. To cool their heads down is also the role of experienced disc doggers. People still do not commonly know how to warm-up before and cool down after, do not use any stretching, do not apply any supplements. We think our dogs are unbreakable, but they are not!

Dariusz Rodomski



Many discdoggers use cameras, to check how their moves look like. This is not bad. I believe in seminars with great trainers. Internet is perfect communication tool. It works as well as big trash - you can find some valuable things (advices, ideas), but in most cases it is just a garbage.

Favorite trick?

I like overs. It is natural for the dog, the same platform is used for jumping out and landing. But this trick can be boring, can be also very attractive if performed correctly. There were many innovations on overs introduced last 2 years, mainly by Japanese players who know how, where and when to throw and know how to train highly leaping dogs.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview!

Do you have anything else you would like to add?

I would like to greet European discdoggers and thank you for proposing this interview. I feel honored.

http://www.latajacepsy.pl/

Switzerland

Eva Zwicker & Enya

Eva is a very good player in Europe and you can see this already by that she qualifies every year for World Finals.

Alen Soldic & Diva & Enya & Lili

Alen Soldic is one of the top discdoggers in Switzerland . This year he collected some very good results. He’s raising his ability ,techniques every day . Together with Eva Zwiker he’s the owner of the Alltagshund.ch dog store and trainer at the DiscDog-Ostschwiiz.ch club.

Melanie Abt & Milow

Switzerland

Martin Schmid & Timber

Marcel Buff & Lennox

Marcel is one of the Hero Team Europe member ,he's a fantastic player . One of his best result is the 2nd place at the USDDN EC 2011 Super-Pro Toss & Fetch

Andreas Keller & Roxana

Fredi Jäggi & Amy

Fredi is in discdog since the 2009 and in a few year he collects some very good results and won some local competitions. This year he took home the 5th palce at the AWI European Championship in Toss & Cetch and the 10th place in the Freestyle.

Serge Pfändler with Aponi

AlenSoldicAlen Soldic

Soldic Switzerland is growing very much and fast in the world of disc dog, you've also shown that this year by participating in important events and bring home good results. You have also qualified for the finals in the USA , but unfortunately , like many Europeans , will not be able to join the competition because It's too expensive....The next year will you organize the European Championship USDDN , how much satisfaction gave all this to you?

First, there is a lot of work for us to organize this event. All members of my club want to help and this makes me very proud. I think this is a great chance for the Swiss Disc Dogger to show that the competitions in Switzerland are great . Many new Frisbee enthusiasts can be born with an event like this

What are your most beautiful memories of the 2012 season ?

There were many great moments. The best moments were those of true friendship. When I teached people a new trick and they are very happy. Or the moment after a preformance when I knew that we was good.


This is the best sport because dogs love it. You have to try it.


Yes of course. It was a small compitition in Swizerland. I was nervous and very bad in Minidistance.

have fun on the field

“ ”

https://www.facebook.com/DogfrisbeeEC2013

Favorite trick?

That is changing. If i practice a new trick and it works, then it's my new favorite trick.


For me and my dog Diva our Dobermann was difficult to learn the Butterfly Backvault. And I remember me when Diva catched the first Backvault. Today it is nothing special but at this time I was very proud and happy.

Alen Soldic



For me it is important to enjoy time with my dogs. A dog's life is not a Never Ending Story.

To Have fun with my discdog-people and have fun on the field.


Our three dogs. But there are also other important things like, friendship, my club and the fun of Frisbee.


Yannik Thoulon & Yeti

Yannik is a good dog trainer as a good discdogger. With Florent Dubray she's working at her own dog training school www.canissimo.fr Canissimo! © in Lyon. At Canissimo we are truly pioneers of freestyle in France, but we feel a real craze in France, which will grow a lot in the coming years

France

France

Slovenia

Roman Zitnik & Boss

Jean McCollister & Olivia & BamBam & Lyra

Jean is the person that helped a lot the introduction of the discdog in Slovenia. She’s one of the top USDDN and AWI players in Europe. At the 2008 European Championship Jean qualified for the USDDN Finals with Lyra in freestyle and with Oli in Super Pro Toss & Fetch. At the USDDN National Finals, Georgia, USA, October 2008 Jean and Lyra were the highest placed European team in freestyle, finishing 19th out of 37 . Lat year she reconfirmed his power, bringing home many good results , we will remember the USDDN European Championship 3rd place with Olivia in Super Open 13th with BamBam in Super Open , 5th with Lyra in Toss& Fetch and 15th with Olivia in Toss & Fetch . She’s also a member of the Team Hero Europe. She’s maybe one of the few or the only one with three dogs almost always in the top 10

Amadea Colja & Bora & Asta La Vista

Amadea is a very talented discdogger . Her discdog carrer is not so long but the results in this short time are very impressive. She was the Skyhoundz European Champion in Open Expert last year and this year European Champion in Sport Expert , these are only a few results of her...I can just add that she’s very powerfull also in pair with her father Aleš...2nd at theEC and 11th at the 2010 World Championship Pairs

Slovenia

AmadeaColjaAmadeaColjainterview with

The past few years you were present at the Skyhoundz World finals in America and last year also at the AWI finals ...What are your most beautiful memories of the “USA tours” ?

Oh difficulty to tell I have a lot so beautifull memories from world finals in this last two years in America. Maybe most beautiful is from last year AWI finals when I played on day of my 18.birthday and I don’t know how they knew it and the organisator Matt DiAno bring me a big chocolate cake in the field and all stadium singing me a Happy birthday song. After this I saw Alex Stein the man who start dogfrisbee in America with his dog Ashley Wippet. But most beautiful memories are to be there with the best discdoggers all over the world and enjoy played together and there also all competitors cheers for each other not metter from where you come….

Amadea Colja

AmadeaColjaAmadeaColjaAmadea Colja

The past few years you were present at the Skyhoundz World finals in America and last year also at the AWI finals ...What are your most beautiful memories of the “USA tours” ?

Oh difficulty to tell I have a lot so beautifull memories from world finals in this last two years in America. Maybe most beautiful is from last year AWI finals when I played on day of my 18.birthday and I don’t know how they knew it and the organisator Matt DiAno bring me a big chocolate cake in the field and all stadium singing me a Happy birthday song. After this I saw Alex Stein the man who start dogfrisbee in America with his dog Ashley Wippet. But most beautiful memories are to be there with the best discdoggers all over the world and enjoy played together and there also all competitors cheers for each other not metter from where you come….

What do you think ...is there a big difference between a competition against some “legends” of the discdog (like Chuck Middleton , Lawrence Frederick ,Tracy Custer …) in the USA or a European Championship competition against the best European discdoggers?

Normally is some differents from us to legends but when you are there you play like you know and you and your dog do the best what you can do and in the end when you see the votes you can see that is not so much differents like was in your minde. But diferents are more in this that they play more years than we so they have much more experience like us and they play with more dogs too. Not like in Europe when disdoggers play with one or maximum two dogs. And also disc dog is more popular sport in amerika like in Europe where disc dog is increasement they have much more competitors and oudince like in Europe.

You are still very young, but your results speak for themselves already now...

What are your greatest satisfactions in your carrer?

Our gretings satisfaction was when we won Skyhoundz European Championship in Freesytle open Expert division last year and at the moment I am the youngest person in Europe to win this tille. At the time of this European championship I was old 17 years. But we also win Skyhoundz European championship this year in Sport Division Open Expert (distance) and in Dog Olympic Games in 2010 we won in all 3 categories od disc dog (freestyle expert, distance expert and in dogdartbee). But in this years we won a lot of competitions and we were a lot of times on podium and each of them are success for us specially for my Bora and now in last year also with Asta La Vista …

Amadea Colja

The most beautiful and the worst competition you ever made

The best competition was last year in Budapest – Hungary when we won Skyhoundz European Championship in Freestyle Open Expert. But I don’t remember neither one worst competition because for us is more important that we have fun and we enjoy in what we do together so is not important the result. And if you ask me if is nice to be on podium the answer is Yes because then I know that we are in right way in world of disc dog…

How do you stay focused during a routine?

I only look where is Bora or Asta La Vista depends with which dog I am at field and in the start of routine is important that you and your dog are concentrated on one another. Than I take a breath and I start play with a dog when the music start to play in freestyle. After this I am concentrated where is my dog, where are frisbees in field to pick them up in hands and in which direction I must throw to do some trick because this depend from which way the wind is blowing because I take care that my dog and don’t do injury…so I don’t have time to look what other people do near field…

Are you superstitious? Have you ever try something like a beg / conjure before a competition?

No I am not so I never done something like this :)


For me was fascination when saw one exebition of disc dog in one cannel club how the player and dog enjoy together in the freestyle routine , how dog is concentrated on frisbee which is toy for him or her. And how they have one great filing between them and how they enjoy together in this game. So I tryed to trow first frisbees to Bora and I saw how she also enjoy to catch frisbees and so we start to enjoy together in disc dog world…


In discdog I prefere freestyle because here you do your own coreografy which is diferent from others competitors and here you can do a lot of diferents throws of frisbee, a lot of different tricks with your dog and all this coreografy you play on music that you choose.

Amadea Colja


My strengths are that I am fast, flexible,relaxed and I have good, special dogs… I think I don’t have weaknesses but for this I think you must ask other people :) who know us very well.


Dog, Frisbee e party

Favorite trick?

:) I like all our tricks so is a little bit hard to choose only one maybe this is back volt or when Bora makes a circle on my back and then I throw frisbee…


For me was more difficult to learn the Flamingo throw


I dont know yet…is everthing in the air …. But in my heart for now I hope that I will do a lot of nice competitions with bouth of my dogs and also to enjoy together when they will be older and will not be doing more competitions…

Our next step for us are Dog Olympic Games next week in Italy and after this we will see….

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disc dog World Finals 2012

Documents

Transcript of disc dog World Finals 2012