CACIT Germany
Origin, development and highlights of a dog sport championship
Origin and initiators of CACIT Germany
The CACIT Germany is an international IGP championship (FCI-IGP3) for working dogs, at which the coveted CACIT is awarded. CACIT stands for Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Travail, i.e. eligibility for the FCI World Working Champion title. The event was initiated by German dog sportsman Mathias Dögel, who launched CACIT Germany 2023. Dögel wanted to create a large international platform where dog athletes from all over the world could measure their skills – regardless of restrictive entry limits, such as those that apply at world championships. He was supported by experienced cynologists such as Dr. Sue Chandraratne and Albert Spreu, the first chairman of the RSV2000 German Shepherd Dog Club. The RSV2000 acted as the official organizer of the championship and ensured the necessary integration into the association (VDH/FCI) to enable the awarding of CACIT and national CACT titles.
The premiere 2023 in Braunsbedra
CACIT Germany 2023 celebrated its premiere at the Stadium of Peace in Braunsbedra (Saxony-Anhalt) from March 24 to 26, 2023. Despite the cool spring weather, 75 teams from 15 nations gathered there over three days of competition to compete against each other in the IGP3 category (tracking, obedience, protection). The event was organized with great commitment by active dog sports enthusiasts for dog sports enthusiasts – special emphasis was placed on optimal conditions, such as a uniform tracking area on spacious fields, to ensure equal opportunities for all. Internationally recognized experts were used as performance judges (including Sue Chandraratne, Stephanie Marx and Dirk Edler). Spectators were very welcome and admission was free. Hundreds of dog sport enthusiasts took advantage of this and created a great atmosphere in the stands, while the teams put on some spectacular demonstrations – from precise obedience to thrilling protection services. The entire championship was also broadcast worldwide via livestream, with expert commentary (including from well-known trainer Tobias Oleynik and Belgian dog sport veteran Bart Bellon). Regional media such as the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung also reported extensively on the event.
The premiere of this international competition ended with a German victory: Knut Fuchs won 1st place with Malinois dog Activ Jerte Maicono livre. Initiator Mathias Dögel himself achieved 2nd place with working-dog Esh, followed by Dutchman Mike Meertens with Ardex van Avendia in 3rd place. These podium places already show the high level of the participants – Fuchs and Dögel are among Germany’s top dog handlers, and Meertens is also an internationally successful IGP athlete. Organizer Albert Spreu drew an enthusiastic conclusion of the first CACIT Germany: Braunsbedra proved to be the ideal venue and the conditions were excellent, with broad local support. With this successful start, it was clear that CACIT Germany would have a permanent place in the dog sport calendar from now on.
Establishment 2024 and the Golden League series
In 2023, CACIT Germany became part of a new international tournament series, the CACIT Golden League. This series initially comprised three events: in addition to Germany, there was also a CACIT competition in Poland and the Czech Republic. Braunsbedra 2023 was followed by CACIT Poland 2023 in Łaziska Górne (Silesia, Poland) in June and CACIT Dobříš 2023 in Dobříš (Czech Republic) in July. Numerous teams took part in several of these competitions. In Poland, for example, Mathias Dögel won with Esh, while in Dobříš the Czech Jany Böhm took first place with his Malinois C’Rapper. An overall ranking was kept for all three events: The 2023 Golden League overall victory went to Mathias Dögel, just ahead of Knut Fuchs and Renata Tvrdoňová from the Czech Republic. This also crowned Dögel’s commitment as an organizer in sporting terms.
In March 2024, the second edition of CACIT Germany was once again held in Braunsbedra (21-24.03.2024). The event grew significantly compared to the previous year: 110 starters from all over the world were now at the start, spread over four days of competition. The organizers had increased the number of participants and extended the schedule to accommodate the large crowds. Once again, top-class dog sport was on offer, attracting many spectators to the Stadium of Peace. Admission was once again free, making it easy for interested laypeople to attend. In sporting terms, Yulian Hatala from the Ukraine came out on top in 2024 with Malinois Hype iz Gratsiano. Hatala achieved an outstanding 285 points (out of 300) and secured first place, closely followed by Anna Marchi (Germany) with Zack vom Further Moor and last year’s winner Knut Fuchs, who took second and third place. The atmosphere was friendly and characterized by mutual respect, as participants and officials emphasized. “We saw top dog sport and experienced a great team spirit,” summed up performance judge Dr. Sue Chandraratne in an interview. CACIT Germany 2024 was once again a complete success and cemented its reputation as the spring highlight of the IGP scene.
Expansion 2025: New hall format in Kreuth
The organizers are aiming for a further increase in 2025. The third CACIT Germany (26-30.03.2025) moved from its previous location in Saxony-Anhalt to the Ostbayernhalle Kreuth near Rieden (Bavaria). This large, modern indoor arena offers a 40×90 m indoor arena and space for significantly more spectators and participants. In fact, the participant limit was increased to 160 starters – another quantum leap that reflects the enormous interest. In the heated hall, dog athletes and spectators were able to enjoy optimal conditions regardless of the weather. For the first time, the CACIT Germany was held indoors, which eliminated climatic uncertainties, especially at the end of March. There was an exhibition area for sponsors and dealers, catering and a comfortable infrastructure directly in the hall. The organizers around Mathias Dögel spoke of an “unprecedented” setting. The patron of the event was the District Administrator of Amberg-Sulzbach, who emphasized the international importance of this championship for the region. In sporting terms, CACIT Germany 2025 continued the high level of previous years: Once again, numerous world-class teams competed, and Yulian Hatala actually managed to successfully defend his title (he won 1st place again with Hype iz Gratsiano). Hatala thus wrote a piece of CACIT Germany history as the first double winner in a row. The response from the public was overwhelming – the Ostbayernhalle was packed on the final days, and thousands of fans around the world followed the competitions via livestream. The new venue in southern Germany also made it possible to attract a wider audience. CACIT Germany 2025 impressively demonstrated its flexibility and appeal by once again presenting top dog sport in a completely new environment.
Prominent participants and outstanding achievements
After just a few years, CACIT Germany can already boast an impressive list of prominent participants. Almost the entire elite of Central European IGP sport has already competed: multiple world championship medal winners such as Knut Fuchs (DE), Jany Böhm (CZ) and Mike Meertens (NL) as well as up-and-coming talents from Eastern and Western Europe. The international breadth of the starting field is striking – up to 20 nations are represented each year, including not only almost all European countries, but also guests from overseas (e.g. the Canadian Isabella Oxsengendler competed in Braunsbedra in 2024). The variety of dog breeds also underlines the open character of the event: in addition to the dominant Belgian and German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers and Dobermans were also at the start. Top results have been achieved in the competitions so far – several teams achieved total scores of 280+ points (out of 300), which is top international level. Anna Marchi, for example, shone in 2024 with 277 points, just behind the winner. There were also outstanding performances in the individual disciplines, such as 100-point performances on the track or almost faultless subordinations, which were rewarded with applause from the knowledgeable audience. Sporting fairness and camaraderie were always at the forefront – a trademark of CACIT Germany. This was also emphasized by Dr. Helmut Raiser, who plays a key role in the event as senior patron: “We strive for the best possible competition conditions and respectful treatment of dogs and handlers so that everyone can reach their potential.
CACIT Germany will be accompanied by extensive media coverage. In addition to the live broadcast via the Working Dog platform (which acts as a media partner), specialist media will report on the competitions in words and pictures. Training magazines, canine online portals and local newspapers publish pre- and post-event reports. The winning runs are viewed thousands of times on YouTube and social media, which contributes to the increasing awareness of the event. In addition, well-known sponsors from the dog food and accessories industry, including some of initiator Dögel’s companies, help to finance and promote the event. So far, it has not been possible to charge an entry fee – a deliberately low-threshold approach to make dog sport more popular. It is the declared aim of those responsible to make the fascination of dog sport accessible to a broad public and to break down prejudices. CACIT Germany acts as a showcase for this: spectacular team performances by humans and dogs, presented in a spirit of sporting fairness and a positive atmosphere. The organizers specifically convey this message to the outside world, which is an important image factor in times of increasing criticism of working dog sports.
Conclusion and outlook
In a short space of time, CACIT Germany has developed from an idea to a firmly established event in international dog sport. The mixture of open participation, high performance density and professional organization is unique to date. Important milestones such as the successful premiere in 2023, the integration into the Golden League series and the successful move to a large hall in 2025 demonstrate dynamic growth. New accents have been set with each year – from technical improvements to the expansion to include additional host countries. CACIT Germany has already made history and delivered many memorable moments: Moments of excitement, triumph and also compassion. The path for the future is clear: the organizers want to keep the level high and give even more dog sports enthusiasts the opportunity to be part of this event. It has already been announced that the event will be held in Kreuth again in 2026 in order to seamlessly build on the success of 2025. CACIT Germany thus remains on course for growth. It combines tradition and vision – on the one hand, the tradition of classic working dog competitions and, on the other, the visionary idea of making them accessible to a broad community. As part of the Golden League, it contributes to making the spirit of dog sport a transnational experience. In summary, it can be said that CACIT Germany has long been more than just a competition – it is an annual celebration of dog sport that captivates participants, spectators and the media alike, and a living example of what committed dog sport enthusiasts can create from “practice for practice”.