Words of welcome
Words of welcome prime minister Juergen Ruettgers
“For A dog - if he is well educated -even a wise man feels sympathy”
It was not only Goethe who appreciated that: Dogs are loyal companions to a great number of people.
There is a long tradition of breeding dogs. In many cases the dog still carries out excellent work on behalf of people as a “work partner”, for example in the police service, at customs or as rescue dogs. But now they also accompany us as a friend and partner.
Without good dog breeding and dog training by the organisations, it would not be possible for man and animal to live together – often in a small space – in today’s society. Particularly in towns, we set our dogs high standards. Therefore apart from breeding, learning social behaviour also becomes very significant. Professional training of dog and owner improves the acceptance of even larger animals into society.
I am very pleased that the World Union of German Shepherd dog organisations is holding its world championship in North Rhine Westphalia for the first time, and would like to welcome all the guests from near and far to our state. I would like to wish all the agents - from the organisers to our four legged friends - an all round successful event and a pleasant and varied day in the beautiful Krefeld and its no less beautiful surroundings.
Jürgen Rüttgers
Words of welcome Patron Jupp Heynckes
Dear Dog-Fanciers,
Dear Dog Sports Enthusiasts,
Dear Sir or Madam,
Dog sport and football – the similarities are not obvious at first glance. When one takes a closer look, however, these two types of sport have a lot in common: both are fast-moving, quick-reaction team sports, in which one can only win when the members of the team can rely upon each other.
Like football, the German shepherd dog arouses emotions all over the world, brings people of different cultures together and promotes important qualities such as fairness, team spirit and tolerance. We will experience all of this particularly intensely in October – at the World Championship 2009 of the WUSV in Krefeld.
The fascination of the German shepherd dog has many facets: when the association was founded in 1899, the global success story that this breed would enjoy was probably hardly conceivable. I am therefore all the more happy to be able to congratulate the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. in the 110th year of its existence. With its typical character traits such as courage, loyalty, intelligence and a readiness to work, the German shepherd dog has established the image of the dog as a man’s best friend in the minds of people all over the world.
I myself have been the owner of a German shepherd dog for several years now. I am therefore very happy to be able to act as patron of this event. I wish us all an exciting 22nd WUSV World Championship for German shepherd dogs, with many inspiring moments and exciting contests, and wish the organisers and all participants every success.
Jupp Heynckes
Words of welcome Wolfgang Henke
The XXII WUSV World Championships in Krefeld are a particular highlight of this year since we are celebrating our 110th anniversary.
Krefeld, the "Velvet and Silk City " earned its global reputation as a well-known location of the textile industry in the middle of the 18th century, and for the fourth time is the venue for a large dog sport event for the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V.
As representative of all employees of the municipal authorities and offices of Krefeld, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to the mayor, Gregor Kathstede, for the kind hospitality and support.
I would also like to personally thank all those people from the Landesgruppe Nordrheinland, as well as the Landesgruppe chairman and general director, Wolfgang Felten, who have taken on the special challenges of a world championship.
It is thanks to their committed voluntary work that we are able to stage such a large event.
This, along with the experience of numerous main association events are contributed, in order to make the 2009 WUSV World Championship at the Grotenburg Stadium a memorable occasion for the participants from 42 countries and the international spectators.
I would like to wish everyone who is interested in dog sports a warm welcome on behalf of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. and its members, and look forward to exciting and fruitful days in Krefeld that will provide us with good and lasting memories.
Wolfgang Henke
SV and WUSV President
Words of welcome Chairman Wolfgang Felten
Dear Fellow Sportsmen and Women, Dog Lovers,
Dear Sir/Madam,
As Chairman of the Landesgruppe Northrhineland, it is with great pleasure that I wish to welcome you on behalf of the entire Board to the 22nd WUSV in Krefeld. Following the 1999 championship, the year our association celebrated its 100th anniversary, the WUSV German Shepherd Dog World Championship is now finally coming home: the long-awaited event will take place between 8 and 11 October 2009 in Krefeld's Grotenburg Stadion stadium. The Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. will also be celebrating its 110th anniversary.
It is a particular pleasure to welcome our sporting friends from all over the world to the event here in Germany. We hope that you enjoy your time with us and experience true German hospitality. inspire people across the globe, people who are connected to this breed through a shared love of sports and games. I hope the fire of enthusiasm for German shepherd dogs will contribute to international understanding and spread to participants and audience alike.
The entire Board of our regional branch has done its utmost - not just to stage the championship as it deserves, but indeed to make it a truly unforgettable event. The many volunteers who have offered their services are a great testimony to this. Krefeld is well-prepared for the WUSV World Championship: it boasts a modern stadium, an excellent transport infrastructure and a wide range of hotels.
Thousands of people are eagerly awaiting what will be a unique event for man and dog. We are looking forward to top-quality sport, teams from all corners of the globe and spectators who cheer on the teams and guarantee a unique and wonderful atmosphere – you are all most warmly welcome.
Kind regards,
Wolfgang Felten
Words of welcome Head Judge Mr. Guenther Diegel
I have had the honour of being part of the WUSV World Championships as WUSV head judge and judge for several years. I have been and am always impressed by the fascination that such a large event with international participation generates. This year too we can look forward to exciting competitions in a field of participants that is made up of best trained and top-qualifying dogs and their trainers who have the corresponding experience, who have already proven their quality and skills on numerous occasions during the national qualification rounds.
I would like to thank the management of the Landesgruppe Nordrheinland, which has taken on the overall management of this event in the 110-year existence of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde [Association for German shepherd dogs], the large number of volunteer helpers of the Landesgruppe and the ladies and gentlemen of the SV headquarters in Augsburg for their diligent preparations.
Above all though, I would like to thank the main agents, the participants from our WUSV participating countries. Here they will present the product of their training and the deep connection with the animal on an international stage, some after travelling half way around the world. I wish all participants the best of luck and hope that the work and effort they have put in will be rewarded with the best possible results.
Like every year, I would like to wish the appointed judging colleagues a confident, objective eye and a fair hand when awarding points. With the closely-matched high performance level, this will not be an easy task.
For all visitors, spectators and enthusiasts of our breed, I hope that the 2009 WUSV World Championship in the homeland of the German shepherd dog will be an unforgettable experience in many more ways than just sport.
Günther Diegel
WUSV Head Judge
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