The German shepherd Skaye, born in Matanzas and trained by the Cuban Ale Sabina, achieved a historic milestone in the demanding world of IGP (International Working Dog Exam Regulation) sport, formerly known as IPO or Schutzhund.
The competition took place this weekend in Miami. Skaye won the BH-VT title, the IGP 1 title, and the best IGP1 of 2025. This discipline assesses the working ability, obedience, and protection of dogs, making it one of the most prestigious and challenging internationally.
Skaye's story of loyalty is truly moving because before achieving these triumphs, he traveled across different countries to reunite with his owner and overcame two deadly illnesses.
The filial bond between a man and his dog
In an interview with CiberCuba, Ale explained that Skaye is a German Shepherd from the beauty line. She was born on the island but in a private kennel association. Since she was a puppy, she has been his spoiled dog, and when he had to move to the United States, he decided he didn't want to leave her behind.
"For me, family is everything. I left my wife, my children, and my dog in Cuba. As soon as I could, I gathered the money to bring Skaye over first. She arrived in the United States on August 8, after going through a complicated process. She was extremely weak; she almost died on me," he said.
Skaye arrived with canine ehrlichiosis, a disease transmitted by ticks that caused internal bleeding. Additionally, he had filariasis, caused by parasites transmitted by mosquitoes, in the form of worms called filariae that affected his heart.
"It was a very difficult moment because I am alone in the United States and I couldn't stop working. I had to feed her, clean her, give her the medications that are very expensive, just like the veterinary consultations, but I managed to save her life."
Skaye and Ale Sabina: A New Chapter in Life
"When I recovered, I had the opportunity to enroll her in a real official club, the American Schutzhund Club. She is a working dog and needed to have all the skills, so we dedicated ourselves to training hard every day."
Ale and Skaye ventured into the world of IGP, a sport universally recognized for evaluating dogs' skills in tracking, obedience, and protection.
After months of training, Skaye earned the BH-VT title, the first step in the IGP certification. His performance was outstanding and he won the award for best utility dog.
The couple scored 100 points in the written test that Ale had to face; an excellent rating in the temperament evaluation of the German shepherd, and finally the outstanding grade in the BH test, supervised by the demanding judge Tiem Karchnak.
This triumph makes Skaye the first German Shepherd of beauty line born outside of a Cuban state club to achieve this certification in the U.S. and to belong to the United Schutzhund Club of America.
The journey of Skaye and Ale does not stop here. The next challenge is to obtain the IGP2 title, an even more advanced certification within the world of IGP.
Commitment to the German Shepherd breed in Cuba
Ale Sabina, born in Cárdenas, Cuba, has dedicated her life to the world of German Shepherds and to restoring their functionality on the island. Her friend Luis Manuel Reyes Portal also plays a crucial role in breeding quality litters in Matanzas.
"This is a lifelong commitment," said Ale, who continues to train Skaye with an eye toward new certifications and hopes to continue elevating the name of the Cuban German shepherd on the international stage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Skaye, the German Shepherd from Cuba who is succeeding in Miami
Who is Skaye and what are their achievements?
Skaye is a German Shepherd dog born in Matanzas, Cuba, who has achieved significant titles in the IGP canine sport, including the BH-VT title and the best IGP1 of 2025 in Miami. Her story is touching, as she overcame life-threatening illnesses and a difficult journey to reunite with her owner, Ale Sabina, in the United States.
What challenges did Skaye face before his successes in Miami?
Skaye faced a challenging process of transfer from Cuba to the United States, during which she arrived extremely weak and suffered from canine ehrlichiosis and filariosis. Her owner, Ale Sabina, took care of her with dedication, managing to save her and subsequently train her to compete in the American Schutzhund Club.
What does the title IGP mean and why is it important?
The IGP title (International Working Dog Exam Regulations) evaluates the work, obedience, and protection capabilities of dogs. It is one of the most prestigious and challenging titles internationally, highlighting the significance of Skaye's achievement in obtaining the IGP1 title in Miami.
What is the next challenge for Skaye and Ale Sabina?
The next challenge for Skaye and his owner Ale Sabina is to obtain the IGP2 title, a more advanced certification within the IGP world. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to training and improving Skaye's skills.
Filed under:
