Judges Bio - Dieter Hoffman:

I am 67 years old, and since 1968 I am living with Rottweiler. Our first Rottweiler came into our house to be a pet – but slowly I became familiar with the organization ADRK and became a member with the club in 1971.

In 1974 some Rottweiler friends and I founded the local group Borken-Burlo for which I became the President. I did that job on local base for 25 years and resigned in 2000 to give the young generation the chance to get experience with my help. Since that time I am the honored president of the local Rottweiler club in Borken-Burlo.

I have trained Rottweiler for Schutzhund and for Koerung. Not to forget the organization of the main events of the ADRK like 3 times Clubshow and 3 times German Championship for Schutzhund, Championships for tracking and some more local shows like Friedrich-Berger-Memory show.

Many years I belonged to the board of the Landesgroup Westfalia and also I have worked in the board of the ADRK as chief judge and also as 2nd president.

Under the kennel name „vom Klosterdiek“ my wife and I raised 11 litters until 1988.

In 1986 I became a specialized judge for the breed Rottweiler. Besides Germany I have judged in many countries all over the world.

In July 2006 at the delegates meeting of the IFR in Mexico-City I became 1st President of the International Federation of Rottweiler Friends.

Judges Bio - Mike Caputo

Michael Caputo has been a member of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA) since 1978. During this 30+ years Michael has trained/titled five dogs to SchH3, two dogs to SchH1, one dog to SchH2 and two dogs to FH. In addition, he has trained and shown two German Shepherd Dogs to V-1 titles in the conformations ring. On the competition field, Michael has won four Regional Championships between 1984 and 1990, the USCA National FH Championship (1987) and was a competitor in consecutive USCA National Championships from 1982 through 1991.

Michael has also served administratively with his local clubs as Training Director and President, he was a Regional Director from 1992 to 1996, served as Chairman of the USCA Budget Committee from 1987 to 1993 and the USA Judges Committee from 1994 to 1998. He also served as President of the AWDF from 2001 to 2003.

As a Performance Judge, Michael received his USCA License in 1987. During these past 22 years as a Performance Judge he has officiated “a few hundred” local trials, numerous Regional and National events including national championships for AWDF member clubs, including the United States Rottweiller Club, North American Working Bouvier Club, United Doberman Club, the Working Reisenschnauzer Federation, the Working Pit Bull Terrier Club of America, and his own United Schutzhund Clubs of America. As a teacher, Michael’s seminar “How to Maximize Your Points in a Schutzhund Trial” has been attended by several Schutzhund training enthusiasts around the country.

Professionally, Michael is a healthcare executive currently employed by Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.

He and his wife Linda reside in Catlettsburg, KY and proudly boast a family of 7 children and 19 grandchildren.