Please let us introduce Fabrizio Coppola

Please let us introduce one of our judges for the IDC IGP WM and we look forward to having you in Denmark:

My name is Fabrizio Coppola, I was born in Rome (Italy) on 01/08/1961. Education: Doctor graduated in International Political Sciences. Married without children. Former Officer of the Air Force currently retired since April 2016. I discovered my passion for dog sports when I was a teenager but brought it into action when I was stationed for duty to a NATO Air Base in Germany from 1983 to 1988. I started my dog sport career as handler with Dobermann but over the years I have gained extensive experience with other breeds such as German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds Malinois, Rottweilers, Riesenschnauzers. As handler I participate in various work trials in SchH, IPO, IGP, ZTP, Körung, Landesausscheidung, National and International Championships. In 1988 I became Helper and trainer and a short time later also for DV eV (in Germany) where I am still registered as DV geprüfte Helfer, and I was employed in many dog trials, competitions and breedeing tests, subsequently I was also invited to perform helper work in other dog associations and clubs in various EU countries ( Germany, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Norway, Austria). In 1987 in Holland (by DVIN) I founded my FCI kennel with the name “del Conte Drago” and in 1997 moved back to my home country. In the early 90s I got the title of SchH Landesausscheidung winner. In 2010 overall winner of the International Military K9 Biathlon title. On 2013 I pass successfuly the exam for CSEN (CONI = Italian National Olympic Committee). I wrote and published a book in English regarding utility dogs training called “Beyond the training the communication”. I am still an active trainer and handler as well a training Helper. Currently I own a female Malinois (almost 12 years old) and a male Dobermann (11.5 years old) both multi-titled in IPO, IGP andFH discipline, I also own and train a very young full energy Dobermann female, hopefully to entry in the future on IGP high level competitions. I have been appointed 3 times as Coach and Team Leader for the Norwegian team at the IDC IGP World Championships (2018-2019-2022) and becoming on 2018 and 2022 IDC IPO/IGP World Champions. I was invited to be Field Director at the ISPU World Championship in 2013 and 2018. On 2018 I became a FCI UD judge for BRFK and since that I have been invited to judge national and international trials and competitions, such as, selection/ qualification trials in different countries for:

– FCI IGPFH WC,

– FCI IGP WC,

– FMBB IGP WC

– WUSV IGP WC

– IFR IGP and IFR IFH

– S.I.R. Italian Rottweiler Championship

– BRSDC IGP Rottweiler Nationals in UK

– BNFC all breed Trakia Cup

– BG IGP Nationals

– Many IGP club Trial in several countries.

On 2019-2022 I represent BNFK (Bulgaria) as Delegate for the FCI Obedience Commission and FCI Utility Dog Commission and from 2024 till now FCI Utility Dog Commission Delegate for the BNFC (Bulgaria National Federation of Cynology. I have held seminars in many European and none-European countries on subjects related IGP dog training, forming Handlers, Judges, Helpers and Trainers. I have been asked to participate as a consultant for a Lithuanian Parliamentary Commission regarding Animal Welfare for proposal to adopt new rules on the welfare of dogs and their traceability, as well as a lecturer at the LSMU Veterinary University of Kaunas (LT) for selection and training of service dogs, duty dogs, Pet Therapy and other canine activities.

I love both discipline IGP and FH and in IGP each of its phases A, B and C inspires me equally.

When I judge a trial, I always expect the participants to present their dogs in serenity according to the rules and handle them with joy and pleasure. Always remembering that dogs are not robots that can simply be turned on/off, treating them with the respect that all living beings deserve, even with the possibility of making mistakes. For me, winning isn’t something that happens suddenly on the field when the crowds roar. Winning is something that builds physically and mentally every day that you train with your dog and every night that you dream about him.

Languages spoken and written: Italian, English, German, Spanish