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Archive for the ‘Belgian Malinois’ Category
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
 There’s no questioning the incredible powers of the canine sense of smell. From narcotics detection, to accelerant detection, sniffer dogs have put their powerful noses to work for police forces all over the world. While humans have approximately 5 million olfactory receptors to detect different scents, canines have over 250 million. This incredible ability to detect minute scents has recently been put towards the unexpectedly useful skill of detecting cell phones.
Just as chemicals and narcotics have a unique scent that dogs are able to pick up on, the plastics and component materials in cell phones also leave minute scents. Cell phone detection dogs are trained to pick up on these minute traces, and indicate the location of discovered cell phones to their handlers. While this is not necessarily useful in a public scenario, cell phones are one of the most common forms of contraband in prison. Convicted criminals smuggle in cell phones to help them organize outside crimes, promote smuggling, plan escapes and riots, or worse.
The breeds of dog most commonly used as cell phone detection dogs are common working breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd. This is due to that fact that these breeds are both widely available for use by police forces as well as being extremely intelligent, obedient and efficiently trained.
While narcotics detection dogs have been used by prison officials for years, cell phone detection dogs have only just begun to make an appearance, with the first use of a cell phone detection dog taking place in 2006. Hopefully, these dogs will be continue to help prison officials prevent crime for years to come.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, cell phone detection, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Sniffer Dogs
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010
 Canines have a long history of helping those in need. Whether they are guiding the visually impaired, retrieving help for the injured, or just providing companionship to those in need of emotional support, dogs have helped improved the quality of life for countless people.
Sadly, the lives of many people are still severely affected by disabilities that leave them vulnerable to crime. No one wants to be a victim of crime, but those with disabilities are at increased risk from criminals who may see them as an easy target. The inability to run away, or the inability to defend oneself is a frightening prospect. Thankfully, a personal protection dog can offer these people the security and safety they need to better enjoy their lives.
Owning a protection dog can help increase the confidence of those who might otherwise be afraid to travel alone, or to visit the corner-store or at night, or any number of other scenarios. Having a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois protection dog by ones side not only projects the appearance of being well-protected, but also ensures 100% true protection in the event of an attack. As well as offering security and protection, a personal protection dog can also be a life-line in the event of a medical emergency, by recognizing a crisis and retrieving help when appropriate. There is no question that the peace of mind offered by owning a protection dog is invaluable to those who seek to enjoy life to its fullest.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, disabilities, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
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Thursday, April 29th, 2010
 The use of land mines in warfare is extremely controversial. Years after a conflict has ended, minefields remain a threat to civilians in the area. Failure to record the precise location of minefields adds considerably to the number of civilian casualties and injuries that they cause.
The removal of mines is a slow and dangerous process. Land mines can be made from both metallic as well as non-metallic materials, meaning that metal detectors are often of no use in detecting mines. Fortunately, mine detection dogs are able to detect both metallic as well as non-metallic land mines by searching for minute traces of scent left behind by explosive devices. Due to the nature of their work, obedience, a calm temperament, and the ability to indicate passively are vital to their success. Sadly, no dog is perfect, and several mine detection dogs and their handlers have been lost to mine removal efforts. However, compared to other detection methods, mine detection dogs are nearly ten times as effective. Their use has effectively saved countless lives. In Afghanistan alone, several million land mines have been removed and deactivated thanks to the efforts of these dogs and their handlers.
From their early use during WWII, to the removal of mines in Vietnam and South Africa, to their current use in Afghanistan, the German Shepherd has always been a popular choice for use as a mine detection dog. Lately, similar working breeds such as the Belgian Malinois have also gained popularity for use in this role. This is largely due to the intelligence and loyalty of both breeds, allowing them to be trained quickly with minimum incidents.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Detection Dogs, German Shepherd, Mine Detection Dogs
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
 Belgian Ringsport is a dog sport that the Belgian people have been practising for over a century. Following the introduction of the Belgian Malinois into urban society as a working police dog, breeders began to take interest in displaying the capabilities of their dogs. One breeder in particular known as Edmond Moecheron is often credited as being the father of Belgian Ringsport. The display of skill and obedience put on by three of his Belgian Shepherds became a growing attraction that spread throughout Belgium, Holland, Germany and France. The exercises his dogs performed became the basis of the sport, and in 1908, the first Belgian Ringsport competition with clearly defined exercises and rules took place.
Today, the exercises still consist of tests of obedience, agility and bite-work, but the sport and competitions themselves are now organized and regulated by several different organizations. The oldest organization, and the first host a national ringsport championship, is the Kennel Club Belge, or KCB. Another organization known as the Koninklijke Maatschappij St-Hubertus, or KMSH, started another Belgian Ringsport competition known as the Grand Prix of Belgium in 1926. Finally, due to disputes regarding interpretation of the rules of the sport, several clubs from the KMSH split off to form their own organization known as the Nationaal Verbond van Belgische Kynologen, or NVBK, in 1963.
While competitions by the KCB and KMSH have been won on several occasions by Belgian Shepherd breeds such as the Groenendael, or Tervuren, NVBK titles have been won exclusively by Belgian Malinois since the start of the organization in the 60s. Of the three Belgian Shepherd breeds, the Belgian Malinois has proven itself to be the most capable. It is for this reason that the Belgian Malinois has become one of the most popular working breeds for use a guard dog, police dog, or personal protection dog. However, it is important to remember that the Belgian Malinois that participate in NVBK Belgian Ringsport competitions are being trained and bred for sport. Regardless of the breed, sporting dogs are unsuitable for work as a true protection dog. Only a Belgian Malinois that has been bred and trained for true protection in real situations will make a good personal protection dog.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Belgian Ringsport, Belgian Shepherd, NVBK
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
 Canines have been a vital part of war efforts for thousands of years. Since ancient times they have been used by countless civilizations warring against each other. Certain civilizations even went so far as to honor the memories of dogs who fought bravely through the painting of murals. Since those ancient times, the roles of dogs in warfare have changed considerably, but there is no denying that the military working dog is an essential part of any military campaign.
Military working dogs today are rarely deployed to the front lines of heated battle. Instead, just as military roles for humans have largely shifted to smaller, and more covert operations, military dogs are being deployed for more specialized purposes. The battlefield of today is worlds apart from the battlefields of our forefathers. Enemy soldiers are often hidden among civilians, wearing civilian clothes. Military canines must be able to react in a split-second in the event of a surprise attack from an armed aggressor in civilian attire.
Another important role is that of scouting, surveillance and detection of explosives. Improvised explosive devices can be disguised and hidden in a wide variety of ways. While these devices can quickly catch a human off-guard, a military canine can pick up on the minute scents of explosive materials before they cause harm. Some canines are being outfitted with new technologies to help small teams scout ahead of an area. Small cameras attached to the head of a dog allows the handler to see everything the dog sees before their team moves into position.
The majority of military working dogs are German Shepherds, although Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are becoming more popular. Sadly, although many military dogs are made to wear specially designed bullet-resistant Kevlar vests, they are far from invincible. Numerous military memorials bare the names of canines who have fallen in service to their countries. They are a true testament to the loyalty and bravery of dogs at war.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Military Dog, Military working dog
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
 Admiration should be shown for those who seek out better lives for themselves and their families in a new country. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing or able to go through the immigration process legally. Illegal immigration is a serious and often dangerous problem. The simple act of attempting to cross national borders has accounted for numerous deaths by drowning or heat exposure as people have attempted to cross through remote areas where they are less likely to encounter border security. Illegal immigrants who make it into a country are often susceptible to exploitation in the form of forced labor or prostitution. It is for reasons such as these that customs and border patrol units must be prepared to ensure the safety of both citizens and illegal immigrants by preventing unlawful entry into the country.
Of the numerous tactics employed by border patrol units, one of the best and most effective is the use of specially trained illegal immigration detection dogs. These dogs must be both athletic and intelligent in order to react quickly and efficiently in a number of different scenarios. Many people guilty of human trafficking will attempt to hide illegal immigrants in unexpected places in their vehicles or amongst packaged goods. Fortunately, the keen noses of illegal immigrant detection dogs are able to precisely locate the scents of hidden human beings. For those that attempt border crossings in more remote areas, the athleticism of the dog becomes very important. Illegal immigrant detection dogs must be able to quickly traverse desert, forest and even water.
The most common breeds of dog used for this purpose are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds due to their intelligence, athleticism and their success in other working roles such as that of a police dog or protection dog. Illegal immigrant detection is just another way that these are incredible working breeds are being used to help keep our nations safe and secure.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, canine unit, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, illegal immigrant, Protection Dog
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010
 Arson detection dogs, also known as accelerant detection dogs, are a type of working dog employed by police officers, fire marshals and forensics investigators in order to help determine the origin of a fire, and how the fire spread. Determining the origin of a fire is extremely important, but can also be extremely difficult. For a human investigator, finding evidence amongst the charred black remnants of a fire is a long and arduous process. The investigator will often take samples of burnt debris and have them sent to a lab for analysis. Using the superb sense of smell of an accelerant detection dog, investigators are able to find relevant samples and evidence in a fraction of the time it would have taken them otherwise.
Detecting accelerants amongst charred debris is no easy task. For a human investigator, even the otherwise distinct odors of gasoline or alcohol are easily masked by the pungent scent of burnt of plastic or house paint often found at the scene of a fire. This is made even more difficult by that fact that many accelerants evaporate quickly. On the other hand, arson detection dogs are able to pinpoint even minute particles amongst a vast array of other scents. These dogs must undergo rigorous training so that they know which scents to respond to and whether to indicate passively or aggressively. Training is an ongoing process in order to ensure that they are kept accurate throughout their entire careers. An arson detection dog is often able to identify a long list of accelerants ranging from acetone to rubbing alcohol to lamp oils. The identification of any of these substances can help an investigator determine if a fire was accidental, an attempt at insurance fraud, or even an attempted murder.
The dogs used for accelerant detection must be extremely intelligent and loyal. The most common breeds of dog used for this purpose are working breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. Due to the nature of the work, a dog with a calm and patient temperament is preferred. Most arson detection dogs are trained to indicate passively to insure that potential evidence is not disturbed.
Tags: Accelerant detection, arson detection dog, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Sniffer Dog
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Thursday, April 8th, 2010
 The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001 exposed an entire nation to horrors of terrorism like they had never seen before. Unfortunately, acts of terrorism on both a large and small scale remain a threat to the United States and the rest of the world. Hostage situations, bombings and assassinations are only a few more examples of terrorist acts that need to be defended against. Thankfully, specially trained counter-terrorism dogs are working day and night to help defend against the threat of terrorism.
The most important part of defending against terrorism is prevention. With their keen sense of smell, canine units can aid considerably in the early detection of explosives or weapons. Bombings are the single most commonly used terrorist tactic throughout the world. Most people are familiar with the sight of a dog sniffing out a plane’s cargo for explosive material before it goes on board, but routine inspection for such harmful devices also occurs in many other places such as government offices, political venues and even concert halls. Preventing terrorism also involves preventing terrorists from obtaining many potentially devastating devices such as nuclear arms or chemical weapons. Guard dogs play an important role in safe-guarding enriched uranium stock-piles and chemical research facilities to prevent the wrong materials from falling into the wrong hands.
Of course, while prevention is incredibly important, not all situations can be prevented. Counter-terrorism dogs are trained to act fast in a dangerous situation. A well-trained German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois can disarm a would-be assassin faster than any human body-guard.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, counter-terrorism dogs, counter-terrorist, German Shepherd, Guard Dogs, Protection Dogs, terrorism
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Thursday, March 25th, 2010
 Schutzhund and The KNPV are the two most popular dog sports in Europe today. Schutzhund was developed in the early 1900’s by German Shepherd breeder Max von Stephanitz as a way to determine the character of a dog and its suitability for breeding. KNPV, an abbreviation of Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging, roughly translated as Royal Dutch Police Dog Association, was developed in the Netherlands during the early 1900’s as a way to determine which dogs were suitable for police work. While the two sports are similar in that they were developed at around the same time, for similar purposes, the number of differences in the exercises performed make them remarkably different sports.
One of the most visibly obvious differences between the two sports is the way in which bite work exercises are performed. In KNPV bite work, the decoy will be wearing a full, loose-fitting suit. This suit restricts mobility of the decoy to a small extent, but allows the dog to bite anywhere on the suit. In Schutzhund, the decoy only wears padding on one arm, and holds a stick in the other. The dog is trained only to bite the padded arm while the decoy uses the stick in an attempt to discourage the dog. Unfortunately, the Schutzhund method is fundamentally flawed in that the dogs are trained not to bite the weapon-arm of an attacking opponent. In a real confrontation, failing to target the weapon-arm of an attacker could quickly end in injury or even death of the dog and those it is attempting to protect.
The other key difference between the two sports is in tracking exercises. Schutzhund tracking exercises are more-so a test of obedience and control than actual tracking ability. The dogs are trained to track along a path in a slow, methodical manner, with their noses to the ground at all times. Points are deducted if the dog strays from the path by more than a couple feet, or misses a corner along the path by more than its own body length. In KNPV, there are no tracking exercises. Instead, the dogs are trained to do area searches to find articles or a person in the woods. The dog lifts its head to pick up scents from the air rather than the ground. Unfortunately, neither method accurately reproduces the type of tracking required by police in a real life scenario. KNPV especially makes the mistake of allowing or even encouraging the dog to mouth the object at the end of a search. In a real-life scenario, that object could be a weapon, explosives, or even narcotics.
While there are a number of other differences between the sports, tracking and bite work are two of the most fundamental. However, it is important to realise the differences between either sport versus a real life scenario. While they both make good attempts to mimic reality, both sports fail to do so. Many people have heard the phrase “practise makes perfect”, but in the case of dog sports, “practise makes permanent” may be more accurate. Consistently failing to target the weapon-arm in Schutzhund, or mouthing an article at the end of a search in KNPV both present glaring faults in training that is ingrained within the dog. A true protection dog should be trained for true, real-life protection from the very beginning.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, K.N.P.V., Protection Dog, Schutzhund
Posted in Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, K.N.P.V., Schutzhund, Sporting Dogs | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
 On Saturday, February 20th at approximately 5am, we were deeply disturbed to discover that our house on the CCK9 facility had been forcefully broken into. Three of our Belgian Malinois puppies at 9 months of age were being kept within the home, and have been stolen. These pups were undergoing training to become Executive Protection Dogs and they are extremely important to us. The pups, Brutus, Nero and Caesar, were litter mates from Cindy and Ducko, and had enormous potential.
Local police are conducting a full investigation, and we pray that these gorgeous Belgian Malinois pups are returned to us without harm. If you have any information that may help us find our pups, please contact us at our toll-free number: 1-866-865-2259. A reward is being offered for their safe return.
Tags: Belgian Malinois Puppies, Reward, Theft
Posted in Announcement, Belgian Malinois | Comments Off
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