NVBK (Nationaal Verbond der Belgische Kynologen) is the most important and significant of today’s Belgian Ring national organizations. Approximately 100 dogs receive level III certification each year, compared, for instance, to 800 to 1000 KNPV titles per year, as a comparison. While numerically a relatively small organization this is clearly enough for a viable breeding and training program. There are approximately 50 NVBK ring judges. NVBK was founded in the province of Antwerp 1963 and began competition in 1964. This new organization clearly arose because the serious trainers and Malinois breeders chaffed under the restrictions, control and manipulations of the conformation orientated, FCI affiliated St. Hubert organization.
This represented a complete break from the canine establishment, for the NVBK began it’s own registration system for the Malinois, was literally their declaration of independence. Today, all dogs participating in NVBK ring trials are Malinois. Other breeds are permitted but do not participate. Malinois from other registries must obtain NVBK papers in order to enter an NVBK trial.
NVBK is primarily a Flemish organization, which in Belgium is deeply divided between the Flemish and culturally French regions, is a very important fact.
- Belgian Ring tends to the larger, more powerful dog, French Ring favors the quicker more agile dog.
- The Belgian Ring trial area is in general smaller than that used in the French Ring.
- The Belgians believe that their emphasis on the “full bite” is a fundamental verification of the dog, while the French would believe that the dog’s effort to overcome the evasive efforts of the decoy are more important, and that a less full grip is of secondary importance.
- The Belgian Ring helpers are much less mobile than the French, and use bulkier equipment.
- The French Ring helper evades the dog while the Belgian Ring helper utilizes variations in the trial procedures and unexpected obstacles and distractions to test the dog.
Independent Belgian Ring Organization
