IGP NATIONALS

We are proud to welcome Joeri Veth as our International Judge for the IGP Nationals in South Africa.

Originally from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and now based in the United States, Joeri brings more than 20 years of experience in working dog sports as a competitor, helper, coach, and judge. He began in the sport at just 11 years old, became a certified helper at 16, and later progressed to become an IGP judge - a natural continuation of a life deeply dedicated to the sport and its community.

Over the course of his career, Joeri has built an impressive international résumé. He has been selected as a helper for numerous Regional and National Championships worldwide, including events in the Netherlands, South Africa, and Norway. As a competitor, he has also performed at the highest levels of the sport. With Onta von Karthago, he placed 9th at the WUSV in 2012, and with Fido von der Hagenmühle, he earned 3rd place at the WUSV Universal Sieger in 2016 after winning the show portion. His dogs have also claimed success at both the Regional and National Championship levels.

Joeri remains highly active in the sport today. He continues to train and compete with his dogs, including Faust von Sprekkenberg, with whom he qualified for the 2026 National Championships, and Hela von Sprekkenberg, who recently earned her IGP1. In addition to his personal achievements, he has coached and helped more than 30 teams reach various World Championships and has played a role in dogs earning protection awards at Sieger shows worldwide.

As a judge, Joeri is known not only for his knowledge and experience but also for his honour, honesty, and professionalism. He has a calm and respectful manner that helps put competitors at ease, even in the high-pressure environment of a trial. His ability to combine fairness, clarity, and composure makes him highly respected by handlers and fellow officials alike.

Joeri currently judges under the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, a WUSV member club, and has officiated at trials in the United States and Canada. His judge’s education includes seminars and apprenticeships under highly respected names such as Wilfried Tautz, Toine Jonkers, and Lajos Foeldvari - a strong foundation that reflects the quality and depth of his preparation.

We are honoured to have Joeri Veth judging at our Nationals and look forward to welcoming him to South Africa.