Unser Gebrauchshund HEUTE 2026 - A Summary
Ennepetal 2.0 was more than just an event: people from the worlds of sport, breeding, science, and service dog work came together – from all over Germany and several European countries. Despite challenging weather conditions, an intensive exchange of expertise took place, enabling new collaborations and providing important impetus for the future of working dog work.
Unser Gebrauchshund HEUTE – on January 10, 2026
Our Gebrauchshund HEUTE, will take place again in 2026, and the response has been overwhelming. With participants from Germany and abroad, as well as from nearly all working dog breed associations, the meeting will once again foster exchange between service and sport, practice and science.
The focus is on environmental safety and scent work, accompanied by experts such as Prof. Julia Metzer and Dr. Esther Schalke. Jens Frank combines theory and practical demonstrations of scent and detection dog work – with insights that are equally valuable for law enforcement agencies and athletes. Furthermore, insights into detection dog training by Hans Ebbers and the Bleckede Customs Dog School make the event particularly practical.
With 120 registered participants, the event is fully booked; an online stream is being prepared for everyone else. Together, we are shaping the working dog of tomorrow.
Working dogs in transition – An interview with Markus Neutz (Part 3)
In this section, Neutz provides a firsthand account of his work on the working dog commission, the training of judges and assistants, and his perspective on the optimal training of dogs. He explains how motivation, technique, and emotion interact, why a dog should stand precisely where it is positioned on the trial field, and why the distinction between a sporting dog and a working dog is often crucial.
Working dogs in transition – An interview with Markus Neutz (Part 2)
In the first part of the interview, Markus Neutz spoke primarily about changes in the temperament and resilience of today's working dogs, and the role that breeding, suitability for everyday life, and stress management play in this. In the second part, we now turn to training: How have obedience and protection work changed, what role does social media play, and what requirements does a modern examination system impose?
Working dogs in transition – An interview with Markus Neutz (Part 1)
Why do many dogs today seem softer, more sensitive to stimuli, or more easily overwhelmed? Our interviewee describes changes that are noticeable in breeding, training, and practical handling. Between technology-oriented training, media role models, and incomplete selection, essential characteristics of a reliable working dog are increasingly under pressure. An insight into the background and connections.
The "guard dog" from a veterinary perspective
A recent survey of 126 veterinarians shows that working dogs are far less frequently considered aggressive or problematic in practice than is often assumed. Many owners demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and provide good training for their dogs.
Our working dog TODAY – the journey continues in 2026!
Our Gebrauchshund HEUTE, will take place again in 2026, and the response has been overwhelming. With participants from Germany and abroad, as well as from nearly all working dog breed associations, the meeting will once again foster exchange between service and sport, practice and science.
The focus is on environmental safety and scent work, accompanied by experts such as Prof. Julia Metzer and Dr. Esther Schalke. Live demonstrations by Chief Inspector Achim Hilger, as well as insights into detection dog training by Hans Ebbers and the Bleckede Customs Dog School, make the event particularly practical.
With 120 registered participants, the event is fully booked; an online stream is being prepared for everyone else. Together, we are shaping the working dog of tomorrow.
Anne Apelmeier in an interview: Malinois between sport, breeding and service (Part 2)
Anne Apelmeier has been passionate about dog sports and the breeding of Malinois since her youth. In this interview, she talks about her beginnings, the special role of her first female dog “Hexe,” her breeding philosophy, and the path of her dogs into working service as police and military dogs.
An exciting insight into the world of working dogs – from the puppies’ first weeks to the demands of everyday work.
Interview with Anne Apelmeier: Malinois between sport, breeding and working dogs (Part 1)
Anne Apelmeier has been passionate about dog sports and the breeding of Malinois since her youth. In this interview, she talks about her beginnings, the special role of her first female dog “Hexe,” her breeding philosophy, and the path of her dogs into working service as police and military dogs.
An exciting insight into the world of working dogs – from the puppies’ first weeks to the demands of everyday work.
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