Mondioring, or also known as Mondio Ring (World Ring) is an international dog sport that focuses on protection activities. Designed to combine the French Ring, Belgian Ring and other canine sports organizations into a single sport that would allow competitors from any of the world’s disciplines, this sport includes a series of exercises that the dog and his handler must perform together in order. score well. These fall into several categories, including agility, obedience, and protection.
The Mondioring III level includes seventeen exercises, performed over a period of about forty minutes, and performed one after the other without interruption. Dogs with degrees in other sports, such as Schutzhund or French Ring, can enter Mondioring at the level achieved in these other sports. This prevents dogs accustomed to competing at a high level from having to start over from the bottom in this world sport.
Obedience at Mondioring focuses on function and practicality. Emphasize the dog’s ability to maintain control without being distracted by outside influences. The jumping tests the dog’s will and physical fitness, while the protection part of the competition requires extensive control on the part of the animal. Dogs compete without a collar or leash during the test, ensuring that they have the level of self-control required of an animal in this sport.
Each competition will be based on a theme, including different settings, props, and distractions placed at different locations on the field. The exercises remain the same from one event to the next, but the specific configuration of the field and the order in which they will be performed will be up to the judges. No test is the same as another, which prevents competitors from training their dogs to memory. The dog must be able to react naturally to everything it encounters.
Since the first competition in 2000, mondioring has been steadily growing in popularity, particularly in the US There are currently several clubs across the country, which regularly test and have a chance to win titles. These titles are recognized around the world, and the US-based organization sends a team to compete in the International Mondioring Championship annually. This championship is held in a different country on the European continent each year, but is currently not held on any other continent.
One of the things that makes this international competition so accessible is that the sport and the organizations are still relatively small. In the United States, the sport is represented by the United States Mondioring Association, a member of the American Working Dog Federation. It is an excellent opportunity for dogs of all types and helps teach important skills and control that many dogs need. If you think your dog has what it takes to try mondioring, take a look at your local opportunities. There is very likely an organization in your area that can help you train your dog for this interesting and entertaining sport.