Visiting Judges


Mauro di Festa

GSD Specialty Judge (Italy)

Mauro Di Festa was born in Taranto, Italy, on December 1, 1963, and currently resides in Giulianova (TE), Italy, at Lungomare Spalato n. 50. His professional journey and accomplishments reflect his dedication and expertise across various fields, particularly in canine training, judging, and breeding.

Mauro began his career as a Sergeant in the Italian Marine, serving from September 1983 to March 1985. Following his military service, he enlisted in the Guardia di Finanza (Police) on September 19, 1986. His commitment to excellence led him to attend the 19th course for drug dog conductors from October 1987 to March 1988. In 2003, he furthered his expertise by completing the 7th course for supervisors at the School Inspectors and Superintendents of Police Finance. Since March 2014, Mauro has held the position of Regional Abruzzo Instructor for military dogs. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was honored by the President of the Italian Republic in 2013 with the title of "Knight of the Italian Republic."

Mauro has also earned several accolades for his work. In 1993 and 1994, the National League for the Defence of the Dog awarded him certificates of merit for his love for animals and his efforts in addressing social issues related to human-dog coexistence. In 2000, he was presented with the "Symbol of Abruzzo Capestrano Warrior" award for his commitment to societal well-being. He has also been recognized with the "Teramo Working" award, sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Abruzzo region.

His academic endeavors include participation in the International Seminar on pet therapy in 2011, where he explored the preparation, design, and implementation of interventions for complex contexts involving animals. His expertise extends to judging canine events, where he has served as an expert judge for the E.N.C.I. (Ente Nazionale Italian Kennel Club) and the F.C.I. (Federation Cynologique Internationale) since 2006. Over the years, he has taken on additional roles, becoming a Selection Judge in 2015, a National Judge for the W.U.S.V. in 2018, and a judge trainer in 2019.

Mauro is the owner of the breeding affix "Monti della Laga," established in 1998 and recognized by E.N.C.I. and F.C.I. His kennel has produced numerous award-winning German Shepherds, including Auslese titles at the Italian Championship. Notable achievements include Mosè dei Monti della Laga securing VA 5 in the 2021 Italian Championship and VA 7 in 2019. His kennel has also been recognized for being the best breeding of young dogs in 2019 and the best overall breeding in Italy in 2010.

In addition to his contributions to breeding, Mauro has shared his knowledge through teaching courses on German Shepherd morphology and presentation in various Italian cities, including L'Aquila, Genoa, Chieti, and Florence. His reputation as an international judge has taken him to events in countries such as Morocco, Bulgaria, Serbia, Taiwan, Russia, Romania, Brazil, England, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. He has also judged at the prestigious 2022 Siegershow W.U.S.V. in Spain.

Mauro's judging expertise is frequently sought in championships across Italy and other nations. He often judges the most competitive classes, where his keen eye and expertise ensure fair and informed evaluations.