Mondioring Sport and the German Shepherd
Jason Mann of Top Dog K9 Training Solutions L.L.C. introducing the leg sleeve to his German Shepherd rescue Ronin von Odin CGC Mondioring is an F.C.I.-authorized international protection sport developed in the late 1980s by representatives from every major country with a protection sport. Mondioring is unique in the fact that it allows competitors from all the major protection sports to compete on a level playing ground. Whether you're involved in French Ring, Schutzhund, Belgium Ring, or KNPV there is a place in Mondioring for you and your dog. Even more interesting is you are allowed to compete at the level your dog is in your current sport. Meaning, if you have achieved a Schutzhund III title with your dog you are allowed to enter Mondioring III competitions from the beginning. In order to compete in Mondioring successfully Germa Shepherds must be of strong struction, temperament, and intelligence. Mondioring is Gaining Ground in the Protection Sports WorldMondioring is incredibly challenging for dogs and their handlers. Dogs are mostly biting the leg area and for some Schutzhund trained dogs this can present a challenge. Many handlers are also thrown off by the "relaxed" way trials are held. You will see judges, assistant judges, and handlers smiling and laughing between exercises. This is not to say it is not a serious sport though. Like French and Belgium Ring sports Mondioring has quite a few handlers that choose the Belgium Malinois as their dog of choice. However, German Shepherds can and do compete in the sport. In 2009 a German Shepherd Dog named, "Malik von der Huelhin Haus" won first place at the USMRA National Championships for Mondioring I with a score of 188.5. With the unqiue nature of the sport and the challenging aspects mondioring is quickly becoming a mainstay around the world and here in the United States. What Makes Mondioring Different?Each level of Mondioring has a specific set of exercises just like Schutzhund and other protection sports do. However, the theme of each trial changes from one trial to another. Along with each trial having a different theme judges are also allowed to make each exercise more or less difficult depending on the level you are competing at. One of the most unique aspects of Mondioring is with the exception of the on leash heeling exercise you are not allowed to have a collar or a leash on your dog during the exercises. This requires a dog with control obedience to the highest degree. You will be working your dog in high drives which also adds to the difficulty. The retrieve exercise is vastly different from other protection sports. In Mondioring the object can be a personal article, such as a glove, hat, glasses case. The choice will be announced at the presentation. However, the object can be anything related to the theme. A spring cleaning theme may have a feather duster as the retreive object or a pair of old boots for a military theme. Combine these differences with the way the trials change from one to the next and Mondioring presents dog and handler with challenges they will not face in any other dog sport. Getting Started in MondioringIf you are interested in getting started in Mondioring here are some links to help you. The United States MondioRing Association
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