The WUSV World Championship for IP and Agility is taking place here in Germany this year. As fans and supporters of dog sports, we couldn't miss the opportunity to support this great and important event.
Find out where you can see SPRENGER at the World Championships and what you need to know about the WUSV World Championships and the world of dog sport in this blog post!
WUSV World Championship IP and Agility
First things first: When and where will the WUSV World IP and Agility Championships take place?
The WUSV World Championship IP and Agility 2024 will take place from October 01 to October 06, 2024 in Meppen, Germany. The venue is the Hänsch Arena in Meppen.
One of the most renowned international dog sport events awaits you on site with 126 dog-human teams from 35 nations. Tests in the disciplines of tracking, obedience and protection will be held. For the first time, the WUSV World Championships in Agility with corresponding Agility and Hoopers competitions will also be held at the same event. You can expect a varied program and the opportunity to be part of this milestone in WUSV history.
The top-class event is being organized by the German Shepherd Association "Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V.", which is fittingly celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
WUSV World Championship IP and Agility Program
The tests and ceremonies of the WUSV World Championship IP and Agility 2024 at a glance:
Tuesday, October 01, 2024
17.00 - Opening ceremony stadium main arena Hänsch-Arena
Wednesday, October 02, 2024
07.00 am - Dept. “B” - Obedience and Dept. “C” - Protection in the stadium
08.30 a.m. - Dept. “A” - Tracking
Thursday, October 03, 2024
07.00 a.m. - Dept. “B” - Obedience and Dept. “C” - Protection in the stadium
08.30 a.m. - Dept. “A” - Tracking
Friday, October 04, 2024
07.00 a.m. - Dept. “B” - Obedience and Dept. “C” - Protection in the stadium
08.30 a.m. - Dept. “A” - Tracking
09.00 a.m. - Agility B course
09.00 a.m. - Obedience B course
09.00 - Rally Obedience FCI class - artificial turf field
09.00 a.m. - Hoopers - artificial turf field
Saturday, October 05, 2024
07.00 a.m. - Dept. “B” - Obedience and Dept. “C” - Protection in the stadium
08.30 a.m. - Dept. “A” - Tracking
09.00 a.m. - Agility - B course
09.00 a.m. - Obedience B course
09.00 - Rally Obedience - all VDH-PO & FCI classes - artificial turf field
09.00 a.m. - Hoopers - artificial turf field
Sunday, October 06, 2024
07.30 am - Dept. “B” - Obedience and Dept. “C” - Protection in the stadium
09.00 a.m. - Agility - B course
09.00 a.m. - Obedience B course
09.00 - Rally Obedience - all VDH classes - artificial turf field
09.00 a.m. - Hoopers - artificial turf area
16.00 - Award ceremony and closing ceremony
The full program of the WUSV World Championship IP and Agility can be found here.
SPRENGER as a sponsor of the WUSV World Championship 2024
SPRENGER is already well known to most dog sports enthusiasts: As a manufacturer of high-quality chain collars, most athletes turn to our long-link chain collars for their dogs in order to comply with the test regulations.
As a family-run and well-established company with our own production facilities in Germany, it was no question for us to want to support such an important event as the WUSV World Championship in our own country.
Together with the Schweikert family, we are proud to be the sponsor of the helper suits for the protection tests of the WUSV World Championship 2024 and thus to further promote and publicize the dog sport both nationally and internationally.
WUSV WM 2025
Nach einer erfolgreichen WM 2024 steht auch in 2025 toller Hundesport auf dem Programm. Was Du über die WUSV WM 2025 wissen musst verrate wir Dir hier im Kurzüberblick:
Wo findet die WUSV 2025 statt?
Auch in 2025 dürfen wir die WUSV hier in Deutschland begrüßen:
Die WUSV-Weltmeisterschaft UNIVERSAL 2025 findet in Hanau, Deutschland, im Herbert-Dröse-Stadion statt.
Wann findet die WUSV UNIVERSAL 2025 statt?
Die WUSV-Weltmeisterschaft UNIVERSAL findet 2025 vom 04. bis 06 Juli 2025 statt.
What is dog sport?
Dog sports can look as different as the dogs and people who practise them. However, no matter what kind of dog sport it is, the goal of dog sport remains the same: the greatest possible harmony between human and dog.
Dog sport is characterized by the (usually physical) exercise of the dog according to its abilities and fitness, in which the owner also plays a (physically) active role.
The sporting ambition and the level of activity can be chosen individually and differ depending on the type of sport, so that dog sports are actually suitable for every person and dog!
What is IP dog sport?
IP dog sport, as it takes place within the framework of the WUSV World Championship, consists of three disciplines: Tracking, Obedience and Protection.
At the championships tracking, the teams are faced with a 600-step track that is at least 60 minutes old and contains three objects.
In obedience at the championship, the technical exercises “sit”, “down” and “stand” as well as retrieving over a 1m hurdle and a 1.80m high sloping wall are tested.
Dog sports
Whether classic dog sports, trend sports for dogs or dog sports for everyday life - today there are lots of different dog sports so that every dog-human team can find the sport that suits them.
Are you still looking? Our list of dog sports gives you an initial overview of some of the most popular dog sports:
- Tracking
- Protection work
- Obedience
- Rally obedience
- Agility
- Hoopers
- Canicross
- Bikejörging
- Flyball
- Dog Dancing
- Dog Frisbee
What is tracking work?
Tracking is a type of dog sport that relies on the dog's instinct to search and is therefore a suitable form of exercise. However, it requires a lot of practice to be carried out correctly as a dog sport and not just a search game.
The aim of tracking is for the dog to follow a previously laid trail precisely. The difficulty can be increased by adding turns, objects to be indicated and longer distances between laying the track and the actual search.
This dog sport has little to do with speed, but instead requires a high level of concentration from the dog-human team and good training and guidance of the dog by the human.
What is protection work?
Protection work or Schutzdienst is probably one of the most controversial dog sports. It often appears to outsiders as if dogs are being “ aggressed” and thus made dangerous. However, the aim of protection training is quite different: with the right training, dogs with strong instincts can learn to remain obedient even in extreme situations, listen to commands and generally distinguish between situations.
In protection work, the dog is trained on the sleeve of a helper. This sleeve is seen by the dog as prey, not the human!
In protection tests, the dog is confronted with various situations and tasks which it must master under the guidance of its handler. Recall and control are the top priorities here and demonstrate the bond and optimum communication between the dog and human team.
What is obedience dog sports?
Obedience is a dog sport that is less about top physical performance, speed and action and more about concentration, control and communication between dog and human.
Some of the exercises are already familiar from companion dog tests or working dog tests, but are combined and expanded in a new way in obedience. An important aspect of obedience is distance control.
As obedience is a less physical sport compared to other dog sports and can instead be classified more as a mental sport, it is also suitable for older or physically impaired dogs.
What is Rally Obedience?
Rally obedience is a dog sport originating in the USA that has developed from classic obedience and has been mixed with agility to offer more speed and even more fun for dogs and humans.
The rally obedience course consists of up to 24 different stations that must be mastered in the correct order and within a certain time. Each station is equipped with corresponding signs showing the exercises to be completed.
In Rally Obedience, intensive communication through body language, hand signals and sometimes even treats is allowed between dog and human to keep up motivation and fun. All this makes this dog sport perfect for all people and dogs, regardless of age or handicap.
As the course is set up differently each time, variety and challenge are guaranteed and it's a great way to work on communication and bonding with your dog!
What is agility?
Agility is a dog sport that is also great fun for many dogs in the hobby scene for physical and mental exercise. The great thing is that agility not only promotes bonding with the dog and fitness for both dog and human, but can also be performed by dogs of all sizes and breeds!
The aim of agility is to complete a course together with the dog without making any mistakes and as quickly as possible. This can consist of various obstacles such as walls, hurdles, sloping walls, catwalks, seesaws, table or long jumps, tunnels, tires and slaloms. Verbal and non-verbal communication and trust between dog and handler are put to the test here. This dog sport particularly promotes the dog's coordination.
What is Hoopers?
Hoopers is still a relatively unknown dog sport, which at first glance can easily be confused with agility.
In hoopers, dog-human teams also have to complete a course of various obstacles without making any mistakes. The difference to agility is that there are no jumps as part of the course in hoopers. Instead, it consists of obstacles such as arches, tunnels, barrels and fences. The order, distance and number of obstacles vary depending on ability and class. Another difference is the role of the handler, who is only allowed to stay in a defined lead area in hoopers and does not run along with the dog - so communication through body language and visual and auditory signals is put to the test. As with agility, the focus in hoopers is on the dog's dexterity and the communication and teamwork between dog and handler.
Why dog sports?
There are two different answers to the question “Why dog sport?”:
From the perspective of recreational athletes, dog sport is primarily a way of exercising your own dog physically and mentally, having fun together and working on your own bond and communication. Depending on the type of sport, the dogs can live out their instincts and dispositions and subsequently be controlled even more in everyday life.
From the point of view of professional dog sports enthusiasts, however, dog sport has a completely different role and relevance in society. Through training and competitions, dog sport is intended to test the characteristics and suitability of dogs of different breeds in order to train capable service dogs, maintain breed standards and breed dogs with a stable character and physique for the police or rescue teams, for example.
Dog sports equipment
Are you wondering what you need to get started with dog sports? One thing above all: a desire to do so and to have fun working with your dog!
When it comes to the exact equipment and gear, it then depends on the type of dog sport you have chosen. If you haven't found a suitable dog sports club or dog school in your area to try out the sport, we advise you to simply try it out for yourself! Often you don't even need professional facilities and equipment to take your first steps in obedience, agility or tracking - you can nowadays find lots of great instructions and books online.
Once you have been infected by the dog sports virus, it is time to purchase more professional equipment. For instance, a pulling harness is not just an outfit for pulling dog sports, it is important to avoid injuries and incorrect strain.
Many dog sport competitions and tests also have strict requirements regarding the equipment of humans and dogs. You can find out more about the right equipment for dog sport competitions here!
PART OF YOUR PASSION.
