21/08/2026
# # # Heartfelt Thanks ❤️🏆
We are still completely overwhelmed by what happened in Finland. **MALTE is the World Champion!** 🏆
But for me, this title represents more than just a sporting achievement. Countless people have accompanied and supported us on this journey and believed in us. That is why I simply want to say **THANK YOU** today.
A very special thank you goes to **my wife Yvonne Neubrand**. ❤️
You always support me and—especially during these difficult times—you have my back however you can. So much of this wouldn't be possible without your support, understanding, and strength. Thank you for walking this path with me and for giving me the space I need for Malte and the sport. ❤️
A huge thank you goes to **my entire training team**, especially **Susi Segeroth**, for her tireless dedication to Malte and me. Thanks also to our protection helpers **Sebo Endraß and David Wirth**, who consistently challenged and supported us at the highest level.
I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone else on our **training team at ADRK BG Allgäu-Bodensee**. Every single person contributes to making us a well-functioning club where we train together, support one another, and celebrate success at the very highest level. That is exactly what makes our team so special. ❤️
I would also like to thank the various **protection helpers** who supported me in preparing for this World Championship. I want to give a special shout-out to **Lucas Birgler**, who repeatedly took the time to help us—no matter how busy his own schedule was. Thank you, Lucas! 💪
A crucial part of this story is, of course, **Malte’s breeder, Heinz Baumann**. Thank you for bringing this extraordinary dog into the world and for selling Malte to us. Our **years of collaboration with the "Zwinger vom Weiltal" kennel** have now culminated in a historic achievement: the combination of the **World Winner title and the World Champion title in a single dog**. The fact that Malte is the one to write this history makes me incredibly proud and grateful. ❤️🏆
A huge thank you goes to the **Finnish Rottweiler Club** for the outstanding organization of this World Championship. You put together a fantastic event and provided optimal conditions for us participants—especially inside the stadium.
I would also like to express my respect and gratitude to the **judges for tracking, obedience (including assistant judges), and protection work**. In my view, they did an excellent job: consistent, confident, and possessing the necessary fine intuition for the Rottweiler breed. All dogs were judged fairly and in a manner befitting a World Championship of this caliber. My heartfelt thanks for that.
A big thank you also goes to the **protection helpers (decoys)**. Their style was certainly somewhat different from what we are used to in Germany—and that is precisely why I offer them such high praise. Every dog was worked equally and fairly, receiving the optimal opportunity to demonstrate its skills even under intense pressure. That is exactly what earns my utmost respect.
And finally, of course, I want to thank **our entire ADRK team as well as all the fans and friends who were there in person**. You were a fantastic group and gave us incredible support. It is something truly special to have such people behind us. 🇩🇪❤️
**MALTE – World Champion, Team World Champion, Obedience World Champion, and Protection World Champion.** 🏆🏆🏆🏆
This success does not belong to us alone.
**It belongs to all the people who have accompanied us on this journey.**
From the bottom of my heart: **THANK YOU!** ❤️🙏
beautiful pictures by Sarah Dahlgren
