THE LITTLE GIANT
by Tina Perriguey
Originally published in the United States Working Dog Federation Magazine
The 2004 USA Schutzhund National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee was marked by beautiful weather and vivid memories.
On Sunday afternoon, I complimented Gary Hanrahan on Bastin’s protection performance, and Gary thanked me and said modestly, and with generosity of spirit, “It was Wallace’s weekend.” I agreed, but also noticed throughout the weekend, that Wallace’s joy was shared by all who had the pleasure of watching Merlin’s obedience and protection routines. After each of these performances the crowd went wild with the pure joy of seeing a German Shepherd Dog and handler working together in ultimate harmony.
And you just can’t say “the crowd went wild” without thinking of Daio Floyd… all 8 years of age, 4’5″ and 75 pounds of her. She is tiny, but man can you see her father in her…
T. Floyd is sheer determination, athletic ability, and the relentless pursuit of perfection – this guy is like Michael Jordon on steroids. His career encompasses over three decades of training Schutzhund and police dogs, handlers, helpers and K9 officers – and his successes at the top levels of competition are too numerous to list here.
Let’s face it – T. Floyd is a tough act to follow. Clearly, his little daughter is not at all fazed by the weight of
reputation of her last name. Quite the opposite – she just assumes that “V” performances at the National level are a natural expectation. If you were silly enough to mention her size and age, Daio would likely respond calmly, “What’s your point?”
In 2002, big brother Terrell Floyd was the youngest competitor at the USA Schutzhund National Championship, competing at the age of 16, and placing 18th out of a field of 141 competitors. Let’s not forget to mention that Terrell is also an extremely talented training helper.
Youth Program, indeed. Terrell has gone off to college, and after all, records were made to be broken… so Daio stepped up. Not only stepped up, but God help anyone who would try to stand in her way (her formidable father included)… If any youth (or adult for that matter) needed inspiration to train hard and work toward trial – this little girl with the big red ribbon tied in a bow holding her braids up on top of her head – she provides it.
You could hear a pin drop when Daio and Mendy z. Hasku-Drzovice, the beautiful 2003 Universal Siegerin, walked onto the field…
I have to admit, my favorite moment was when Daio was waiting to walk up to her start point in obedience, when she took a deep breath, and stroked Mendy’s head. To see Mendy lean into little Daio with absolute love, trust and affection – well, it was the perfect beginning…
And then, as the team executed their routine – this crowd of seasoned Schutzhund sport fans seemed to hold their breath through every exercise, only to erupt in applause and cheers upon each successful completion.
Every determined little step provided a spring to the big red ribbon tied in a bow bouncing along up on top of Daio’s head – accentuating not only how tiny the handler was, but how correct she was in posture and form.
There was great drama in watching this little youth compete at the highest level of competition in our country. But the suspense was interrupted by the comic relief of her dumbbell throws. She is “fighting out of her weight class” with the 2 kilogram SchH 3 dumbbell, so she has to order Mendy to sit, walk forward quite a few feet, and then throw the dumbbell, just to get some distance, before returning to her dog and commencing the retrieve exercise. And the actual dumbbell throws are hard to describe, but they were cute, hysterically funny and impressive all at the same time – Daio goes into this warm-up routine reminiscent of a major league baseball pitcher or Olympic javelin thrower – she has to hold the dumbbell with her right hand behind her, stretch her left hand out in front and swing several times back and forth to get some leverage and momentum before she lets it fly. She is WAY outclassed in height to get the SchH 1 dumbbell over the hurdle and the wall, so again, she orders Mendy to sit, walks up till she’s right in front of each obstacle, and goes into her wind-up and throw routine. The crowd loved it…
Perhaps the overall experience of watching this team compete was expressed best by stadium announcer Jerry Welch, as Daio and Mendy approached the judge after their obedience routine, to hear their critique and score. He stated simply and poetically what we were all thinking… “O.K. folks, before the judge gives his critique, I have to say something. That little person, that giant you see over there, is EIGHT YEARS OLD. ” (Interrupted by applause). ” I have never seen such poise and confidence in anyone of that age and I’ve done 21 of these national events. There has to be three things that come together for her. First off, she has to have a well-trained dog. She has to have a qualified teacher, such as her dad, T. Floyd…” (this was the only time Daio smiled thus far since she stepped on the field for her obedience routine, and she broke into a huge smile and nodded her head in affirmation)… ” and she has to have the determination and desire to compete at this level. It all comes down to one word – OUTSTANDING.”
Who will ever forget Mendy’s 2004 National Championship 96 point protection routine? As if it wasn’t memorable enough already – Nationals back-half helper Chris Carr sealed the deal for the visual image. After the critique was finished and the score announced, as the spectators cheered, Mendy’s leash was handed to judge Mike Hamilton , and in a fitting tribute to the moment, Chris lifted little Daio up onto his shoulders and turned to face the crowd as Daio waved… and (have I said this yet)? – the crowd WENT WILD.
The team of Daio and Mendy earned scores of 94/86/96, placing 18th out of a field of 72 competitors. The scores will stand in the record – but the memories and the inspiration – they belong to the rest of us who were lucky enough to be there, and those who will watch the videos later.
At the end of the day, this team of two outstanding young females exemplify what this sport is all about. Excellent
genetics, excellent training, a work ethic that separates the men from the boys, ability to withstand pressure, combined with a profound love for each other, and a driving determination in the pursuit of excellence… Captain Max Von Stephanitz (1864 -1936), the original guardian of our beloved German Shepherd Dog, said it best…
“Take this trouble for me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim.”
With youth like Daio to carry on the legacy – I’m thinking Max can rest peacefully, and is probably watching down with pride…
—by Tina Perriguey
