November 2007, The United Schutzhund Club’s of America presented this plaque to Willi for his efforts in the sport of Schutzhund.

How it all started...

Willi Ortner moved to the United States in 1968, he is originally from Zweibrucken, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany. The kennel name “Von Der Pfalz” comes from this state in Germany.

1969, Willi bought his first German Shepherd Dog, Prince. Willi was lucky that he was a Schutzhund quality dog.  He was one of three German Shepherds, in the United States to be HOT (Handler Owner Trained) and to get his Schutzhund I, II, & III in their first three trials together.

A few of Willi’s Accomplishments

1972 translated the SV Rule Book into English.

1975 was appointed as the first USA (United Schutzhund Clubs of America) Judge after apprenticing under SV judges.

First Director of Judges for USA, was instrumental in writing the USA Judge’s Program.

1978 & 1979 was the USA Team Captain in Italy & Denmark.

1983 & 1984 was a team member on the European team in Belgium & Italy

1988 was the first USA Judge to gain his SV Judging license to judge trials in Germany.

1988 Judged tracking at the European Championship in Switzerland.

1989 Tracking judge for the first WUSV in Muenster Germany

Since retirement Willi is now a USA Judge Emeritus.

 

Willi & Julie have both competed in Schutzhund
 
Julie is a native Californian and has been breeding dogs since 1971.

Willi and Julie  both competed on the 1984 World Championship, then called the “European Championship” held in Padua Italy.

Julie was on the team with her dog Canto haus Farhig, SchH3 V, KKL1

Willi was on the team with his dog Korry vom haus Tyson—who he bought from Julie!

Willi and Korry were also on the 1983 team for the European Championship

In 1985 Willi and Julie bred their first litter under the von der Pfalz name

Willi continues to train and compete in Schutzhund and is the Training Director of the Monterey Bay Schutzhund Club, in Hollister California.

Willi is also a POST certified police dog judge and active in training police dogs as well as personal protection dogs.