I was born and raised in Long Island, NY and moved to Miami when I was offered a softball scholarship to attend Barry University in Miami. Rather than return to northern winters, I remained in Florida and have lived in Punta Gorda, FL for the past 31 years.

I have worked in the veterinary field for most of my life. Inspired by the many unruly clients I met, I began my own pet dog training business in 2014. In 1995, I was looking for a German Shepherd and went to a local club and was introduced to schutzhund. I attended that club for awhile, met a friend there, and we started our own club, Peace River Schutzhund Club, in 1997. My first dog was a German Shepherd and we earned our Sch1 and an AD. I obtained my first Malinois in 1997. I have trained and titled 3 Malinois from Bh to 3. I have also trained and titled a rottweiler from BH to 3, and competed with him at the International Federation of Rottweilers World Championship in Spain in 2004.

I became a judge in 2013 because I wanted to encourage new members, inspire them, and help grow our sport. I believe a judge needs to be an active competitor to keep the feelings of handlers at heart.

I am looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I look forward to seeing some great performances and wish all competitors success!

I'm Geert Verlinden and I'm 35 years active in dog sport and training dogs from 1987 in obedience and IPO/IGP till now. Dog training is for me a passion I really enjoy.

I completed my first competitions in the Belgium obedience program with my Briard Max. After several years in this discipline with excellent results, it was time for a new challenge, the IPO/IGP program.

I practiced IPO/IGP on a high level for more than 26 years mostly with Malinois but also Rottweiler and lately Dobermann. I give training seminars and I guided a Boxer and Bouvier with their handlers to achieve the world championship title.

Myself I participated at lots of CAC-CACIT and world Championships.

I have competed at 25 world Championships (FCI and FMBB) with 3 different dogs, Vice World Champion FMBB, several times top 10 at the World Championships, I have achieved several first podium places as a Belgium Champion all breeds and as a Belgium Champion for Belgium Shepherds.

As FCI IPO judge I have previously judged: World Championship FCI IPO 2017 in Germany, USA, Spain, Romania, Germany World Championship Rottweiler, etc.

I'm also a conformation‐judge for Briards and Rottweiler and I'm a respected breeder of Malinois since 2004.

I am adjunct secretary of the commission Section 1C in Belgium who is responsible for the IGP-IPO program on FCI level.

I wish everyone a good competition and lot of success!

My judging career began in 2006 and since then I have judged many national events such as USCA, AWMA, AWDF, USA-Box and Molossers and met quite a few great teams. During that time, I have judged all 3 phases at the National Level.

During the 2022 AWDF, I will be looking for professionalism from all teams. The teams should have harmony with speed and accuracy and enjoy the sport.

We wish all teams a lot of success and to have a great time at this great event.

Thank you,

Randall L Hoadley