Fetching Victory

Maureen Noe and her German Shepherd will compete in the WUSV World Championship Universal dog trial and show
By Phoebe Warren

photo by shane darby.

Maureen Noe, along with her dog Dani, have redefined the expression “work like a dog.” The two have qualified to compete at the prestigious WUSV World Championship Universal dog trial and show, which showcases the best German Shepherds from around the world. It is set to occur in Hanau, Germany, from July 4th to 6th.

Dani is ever-attentive on the training field. photo by shane darby.

Maureen, now 61, worked for 23 years as a police officer with Fort Collins Police Services, including as a K-9 officer. “It was working with the police dogs which gave me an appreciation for what they can do and how courageous they can be,” she said. “I think my real love for the working dog began there.”

Dani showing off her skills. photo by shane darby.

Maureen moved to Fouke seven years ago and got involved in Schutzhund. Schutzhund, meaning “protection dog” in German, is a dog sport concerning tracking, obedience, and protection skills. It is known competitively as Internationaler Gebrauchshund-Prüfung, or IGP. Maureen soon attended the IGP National Championship being held in Little Rock. 

Maureen has many awards and memoabilia on display inside her dog kennel. photo by shane darby.

“Funny how things work out,” Maureen said. “They had a fundraiser drawing at that event to attend an IGP training camp in Florida with a world-renowned trainer and competitor, Phil Hoelcher. Well, I won the drawing! My life changed, and my love for the sport began.”

Maureen and Dani competing in the 2025 GSDCA IGP Nationals this past April. photos by carolina’s k9 photography.

The dynamic duo participated in the 2025 German Shepherd Dog Club of America National IGP Championship and Universal Sieger Show this past April. They placed third overall. As the first-ranked team was unable to attend the world championships, Team Dani was chosen to represent the USA. “To be on the world stage with my little Dani, with the best German Shepherds in the world, is amazing,” Maureen said.

Maureen with her trainer, Jerol Skinner, from a training session with the Northwest Arkansas Working and Police Dog Association in Fayetteville, Arkansas. submitted photo.

Maureen and her husband, David, live on a farm in Fouke, Arkansas. photo by shane darby.

Maureen plans to keep competing with Dani (whose official registered name is Florida Scout von Telos) as long as they both stay healthy. “I stay motivated through IGP to keep moving,” she said. “I did not want to retire and feel old. I found every morning something else would either hurt, creak, pop, or not want to work. My dogs keep me going and help me focus on what I can do and not on what I cannot do.”