Brasil Mondio Update

Mondioring is relatively new to Brasil. They have similar and in some cases larger hurdles (excuse the pun:) as we in the US and other "developing nations". In July, Rene Sagarra, World Vice Champ. returned to Brasil to enjoy the "winter weather" and continue to teach and encourage the budding Brasilian Mondioring Community. Thanks to Seminar Organisor, Andre Bianchini, his most excellant English and the powers of the internet that have allowed the following "on line" interview.

Could your tell about when and how Mondio started in Brasil?

About 4 years ago, I've heard about some people interested in training Mondioring. It was right after a seminar on service dogs with Stewart Hilliard. It looks that this idea didn't go too far, and I believe that the first time we invited Rene to Brasil - December 2001- was the real begining of the sport.

How is Mondio growing in Brasil?

I believe that about 15 or 20 people in Brasil are training Mondio by now. But we don't have trials yet. We are thinking about doing our first unofficial trial next year.

How many people are interested?

Many people are interested but I think that only 15 or 20 people are really training.

What kind of dogs and handlers are you seeing interested?

Mainly German Shepherds and a few Malinois, but I've seen also 2 Pit Bull's. Most handlers was not involved in any dog sports before, but we have some - like me - that came from IPO.

I know that Rene has worked with your Security type dogs. What do you think about using Mondioring for these dogs?

Yes, I'm a professional dog trainer for security aplicantions and after the first visit of Rene, when we really start to learn Mondioring, the results in our security training was unbelieveble!!! Mondioring is for sure the best basic for real life.

In Brasil, what is the situation with dogs in general? and do you see Mondio changing this? If so, how?

Our country doesn't have a tradition in dog sports. That is a big problem because most breeders don't select working ability. Also with malinois. we have by now many malinois in structure shows, only one dog has a working title (IPO) in Brasil, and only 2 breeders are really worried about selecting working ability . With the german shepherds the situation is far better, we have some serious people breeding only with working lines and very compromised with IPO. Also, we had already many problems with dogs bitting inocent people and some politicians are triyng to make rules about protection dogs. I believe that mondioring could help with these problems, puting real control on the dogs and selecting working ability. But I don't see a good development on Mondioring in the near future.

Could you tell a bit about you last seminars?

It was absolutly great! In this seminar Rene had the opportunity to explain how to build up each exercise. Also because this time he brought a Mondio 3 dog with him - YORK -(on loan to Rene from owner/handler Stephan Burri) we could have a better view of Mondioring. We had this time more decoys also. All begginers, of course but some very promissing. we had 2 days on training our decoys.Also, because we have been trainig for 1 year and a half, since Rene's first seminar, we had more problems to solve and this was a very good opportunity for him to show how to solve these problems.

Are you planning any more seminars or trials soon? What about going to the World Championships?

We are planing another seminar with Rene next year and I'm sure other trainers will come in the future. We are planing also to create a Mondioring club in Brasil to start to make trials but I don't see this happening in less than 2 years.
The World Championship is the desire of all serious Sport Dog Handlers. Maybe in the future.......

For Mondioring in Brasil, check out Andre's site http://www.mondioring.cjb.net/ - It's in Portuguese, but has some nice pics.