Personal Protection Dogs and NVBK Belgian Ringsport

Belgian Ringsport is a dog sport that the BelgianFinally, due to disputes regarding interpretation of
people have been practising for over a century.the rules of the sport, several clubs from the
Following the introduction of the Belgian MalinoisKMSH split off to form their own organization
into urban society as a working police dog,known as the Nationaal Verbond van Belgische
breeders began to take interest in displaying theKynologen, or NVBK, in 1963.
capabilities of their dogs. One breeder in particularWhile competitions by the KCB and KMSH have
known as Edmond Moecheron is often credited asbeen won on several occasions by Belgian
being the father of Belgian Ringsport. The displayShepherd breeds such as the Groenendael, or
of skill and obedience put on by three of hisTervuren, NVBK titles have been won exclusively
Belgian Shepherds became a growing attractionby Belgian Malinois since the start of the
that spread throughout Belgium, Holland, Germanyorganization in the 60s. Of the three Belgian
and France. The exercises his dogs performedShepherd breeds, the Belgian Malinois has proven
became the basis of the sport, and in 1908, theitself to be the most capable. It is for this reason
first Belgian Ringsport competition with clearlythat the Belgian Malinois has become one of the
defined exercises and rules took place.most popular working breeds for use a guard
Today, the exercises still consist of tests ofdog, police dog, or personal protection dog.
obedience, agility and bite-work, but the sport andHowever, it is important to remember that the
competitions themselves are now organized andBelgian Malinois that participate in NVBK Belgian
regulated by several different organizations. TheRingsport competitions are being trained and bred
oldest organization, and the first host a nationalfor sport. Regardless of the breed, sporting dogs
ringsport championship, is the Kennel Club Belge,are unsuitable for work as a true protection dog.
or KCB. Another organization known as theOnly a Belgian Malinois that has been bred and
Koninklijke Maatschappij St-Hubertus, or KMSH,trained for true protection in real situations will
started another Belgian Ringsport competitionmake a good personal protection dog.
known as the Grand Prix of Belgium in 1926.