Centenary of the Austrian Hunting Dogs Association (Österreichischer Jagdgebrauchshunde-Verband
- ÖJGV) – this was the motto for the running of the 20th FCI European Cup Trials
for Hounds organised by the Österreichischer Kynologenverband (ÖKV) on 9/10 November
2012, in Styria for solo dogs and in Burgenland for pack dogs.
© Mr C-G Gustafsson
Wonderful area of Brandlücken (AT)
In Austria, the Austrian Hunting Dogs Association is, in cooperation with the Österreichischer
Kynologenverband, the representative for all hunting matters, such as hunting dog
trials and hunting dog judging, and is the competent partner for all questions concerning
hunting dogs. In the course of the centenary year, the ÖKV organised this event
as a contribution to the ÖJGV celebrations. The organisation team, made up of Anton
Schoberwalter, Curator of the European Canine Museum, ÖJGV Vice-President Leopold
Ivan, Erich Temmel and Gottfried Schmied, provided the guests, dog handlers and
judges with an impressive ambience and hunting ground possibilities in Austria under
the leadership of Gert Dobrovolny.
In his opening address, Gert Dobrovolny pointed out that the aim of this event was
to retain and promote the awareness of the common bond between lovers of hounds
throughout Europe as well as traditional and established hunting with hounds, with
due regard for the hunting aspects. It was a unique opportunity for all participants,
though especially for the judges, to get to know the many diverse breeds of hound
hardly seen in Austria and also experience the way they work.
Pack of Segugio Italiano working
At the opening and drawing of lots for the hunting grounds, Gert Dobrovolny welcomed
ÖJGV President Johannes Schiesser, ÖJGV Vice-President Leopold Ivan, the President
of the FCI Commission for Hounds Curt-Christer Gustafsson from Sweden, Heinz Vog,
the delegate of the FCI Commission for Hounds from Germany, Manfred Pircher from
Switzerland, Knut H. Jellum from Norway , Matti Lehmussarri from Finland and Giannantonio
Gianluca from Italy, the regional hunting dog consultant of the Styrian hunting
association, Karl Haidic, district hunting master Josef Kleinhappel and district
hunting dog expert Gerhard Schanzer from Weiz, veterinarian Henriette Lehmann, ÖKV’s
office manager Elisabeth Manner, the Wiez hunting horn blower group, as well as
all the judges, dog handlers and hunting ground marshals among the numerous guests
in attendance.
ÖJGV President, Master Handler Johannes Schiesser, referred to performance-oriented
and controlled hunting dog breeding to ensure that our hunting utility dogs continue
in the future to meet the high hunting standards required through such extremely
selective trials. He regarded it as the domain of the hound to continue to promote
and scrutinise the still hunting of hares and foxes. President Schiesser then presented
the long-time representative of the ÖJGV Hound Commission, Erich Temmel, with the
“Small Badge of Honour in Gold”.
OKV President, Dr Kreiner M. and President of the FCI Commission for Hounds, Mr C-G Gustafsson
ÖKV’s President Dr Michael Kreiner described these trials as the most original work
of the hound through which we are able to demonstrate the performance level of our
dogs to the general public and the hunting community with due regard for the running
of such trials in accordance with animal welfare and correct hunting principles.
The Alpine Dachsbracke, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound, the Coarse-haired Styrian
Hound and the Tyrolean Hound have their origin in Austria and have earned special
kynological interest under the patronage of the ÖKV.
Italy took part with two packs of Italian Short Haired Hounds, with one Finnish
Hound and one Beagle competing in the solo dog trials from Finland, in addition
to one Bernese and one Lucerne Scenthound from Switzerland, one Lucerne Scenthound
and one Tyrolean Hound from Germany, one Norwegian Hound and one Halden Hound from
Norway, one Hamiltonstövare and one Beagle from Sweden, two short-haired Istrian
Hounds from Croatia, plus one Coarse-haired Styrian Hound and one Tyrolean Hound
from Austria. The competitor from San Marino with his Italian Short Haired Hound
bitch was, unfortunately, not able to take part.
Entertainment at the closing dinner
14 of the most varied breeds of hounds from 9 countries demonstrated their ability
on a hunting ground of 15,000 hectares for the solo dogs and 500 hectares for the
pack dogs thanks to the kindness of a large number of hunting ground owners and
leaseholders. Despite the good conditions of the hunting grounds, not all of the
solo dogs were able to find and hunt a hare. The partly wet soil and stormy autumn
wind presented the pack dogs with considerable difficulties, with the result that
neither of the packs was able to achieve an adequate result to win a European Cup.
ÖKV’s President Dr Michael Kreiner was welcomed for the prize giving and he also
presented the two colleagues Erich Temmel and Gottfried Schmied with the “The ÖKV’s
bronze badge of honour for special services to kynology”.
Solo competition:
-
1st place (solo competition) and European Champion : Bo Ynger and his Beagle (Sweden)
-
2nd place (solo competition) : Norwegian Dunker, owned by Helge Tikkbakke, with 123 points.
- 3rd place SWEDEN HAMILTONSTÖVARE, dog handler Karl Engvall
- 4th place NORWAY HALDEN HOUND, dog handler Torgeir Sandnos
- 5th place CROATIA ISTRIAN HOUND short-haired, dog handler Hrvatin Graciano
- 6th place FINLAND BEAGLE, dog handler Tenho Tikkanen
- 7th place SWITZERLAND LUCERNE SCENTHOUND, dog handler Walter Jäger
- 8th place CROATIA ISTRIAN HOUND short-haired, dog handler Oplanić Ivan
Pack competition:
-
1st place (pack competition) and European Champion : Pack of Segugio
- 2nd place, IInd prize ITALIAN SHORT-HAIRED HOUND, dog handler Pedretti Battista,
Italy
The next FCI European Cup Trials will be held in Finland on 20/21 September 2013
in Finland.
Gert Dobrovolny
Member of the FCI Commission for Hounds of the 6th Group