VANRUSSELHOF KENNEL HISTORY
My association with the Belgian Shepherd Malinois started in the year 2000 after my German Shepherd puppy was stolen. Shortly after I happened to attend an Ivan Ivan Balabanov Schutzhund seminar and saw a Malinois on video. This was the first time I had seen the breed. I was instantly fascinated. At the time I was looking for a breed that would make a top competition obedience dog and a dog that could also dabble in Schutzhund and the Malinois was exactly the what I had been looking for. After lying awake at night dreaming about Malinois for weeks, some more research and contacting breeders (a huge choice of about 2 breeders in Australia back in those days
) a few months later I acquired my first working Malinois. That was the beginning of the end…. A year later in 2001 our Malinois breeding program commenced with the importation of Bo Les Betulacees CDX HT ET IPO1 from Europe.
Bo (litter sister to Crash Les Betulacees IPO2) brought valuable new blood to Australia with an excellent diverse working pedigree. Bo's dam Furij-Brico Godard (NDL) from van Fort Oranje kennels was a famous female that some of the top kennels in the Netherlands founded their breeding program on. Furji produced many dogs that are titled in KNPV, IPO and working police service dogs. On the sire side Bo's pedigree brought the famous Elgos du Chemin Plaines Belg Ring 1, Mondio Ring 3, French Ring 3, 5 X World Champion famous for his full mouth grip as well as being a top producer with many descendants excelling in Ring sports, IPO and KNPV. Bo is ½ sister to Kukay'a Aras KNPV PH1 who was imported into Australia a few years later by another kennel - both Bo & Ara's descend from the ‘Kukay's R litter’ on one side of their pedigree. Bo was a firecracker on the sports field with speed, drive and grip that had never been seen in Australia in her day. Bo whelped 3 litters for Vanrusselhof B, H & L. Bo was also mated to an av Nangijala Police Service Dog before coming to Australia but sadly was not in whelp upon arrival.
) a few months later I acquired my first working Malinois. That was the beginning of the end…. A year later in 2001 our Malinois breeding program commenced with the importation of Bo Les Betulacees CDX HT ET IPO1 from Europe. Bo (litter sister to Crash Les Betulacees IPO2) brought valuable new blood to Australia with an excellent diverse working pedigree. Bo's dam Furij-Brico Godard (NDL) from van Fort Oranje kennels was a famous female that some of the top kennels in the Netherlands founded their breeding program on. Furji produced many dogs that are titled in KNPV, IPO and working police service dogs. On the sire side Bo's pedigree brought the famous Elgos du Chemin Plaines Belg Ring 1, Mondio Ring 3, French Ring 3, 5 X World Champion famous for his full mouth grip as well as being a top producer with many descendants excelling in Ring sports, IPO and KNPV. Bo is ½ sister to Kukay'a Aras KNPV PH1 who was imported into Australia a few years later by another kennel - both Bo & Ara's descend from the ‘Kukay's R litter’ on one side of their pedigree. Bo was a firecracker on the sports field with speed, drive and grip that had never been seen in Australia in her day. Bo whelped 3 litters for Vanrusselhof B, H & L. Bo was also mated to an av Nangijala Police Service Dog before coming to Australia but sadly was not in whelp upon arrival.
Elgos du Chemin Plaines Belg Ring 1
Mondio ring world champion famous for his full mouth grip.
Mondio ring world champion famous for his full mouth grip.
Furij-Brico Godard
In 2001 Vanrusselhof once again imported new blood to increase the limited gene pool in the form of imported frozen semen from three IPO titled working bloodline males. Kukay's Taco IPO3, Utamaru Des Deux Pottois IPO3 & a young Zico vd Berlex Houve IPO1. This was the first influx of IPO titled FCI pedigree males & their bloodlines into Australia and all 3 boys were world championship level participants.
Kukay’s Taco IPO3
Utamarou Des Deux Pottois IPO3
Zico vd Berlex Houve IPO1
Vanrusselhof imported frozen semen from the 3 males below in 2001
Incidentally a few years later Zico vd Berlex Houve was imported to Australia in the flesh by another working dog kennel. This in turn allowed us to be the first kennel in Australia to line breed on Zico vd Berlex Houve/Turcodos van De Duvetorre/Stoned van De Duvetorre via Zico’s progeny in our Q & R litters. These bloodlines are now widely used in the RAAF.
Vanrusselhof the first kennel in Australia to linebreed on Zico, Stoned & Turcodos
Stoned van De Duvetorre IPO 3
Turcodos van De Duvetorre IPO 3
By 2003 progeny from the imported frozen semen sires were on the ground in the form of Vanrusselhof A, B & E litters making their mark both in Australia and overseas.
Aust CH Vonrusselhof Aella CD CDX HT JD JDX AD ADX AAD ET SD SP (AI)
The A litter (RISS Aust CH Konrika Fraulien Crissa X Kukay's Taco IPO3) was a working X show combination. This was the first Malinois litter in Australia to be produced by artificial insemination from imported frozen semen. The A litter produced some very versatile Malinois that titled in both the conformation show ring and ANKC competition arena - Aust CH Vonrusselhof Addonis CD HT ET (AI), Aust CH Vonrusselhof Aella CD CDX HT JD JDX AD ADX AAD ET SD SP (AI), Vonrusselhof Ainia CD ET HIC1 (AI).
Next came the Vanrusselhof B litter (Bo Les Betulacees X Utamarou des deux Pottois IPO3) which was a line breeding on Elgos du Chemin Plaines and produced Vanrusselhof Brianna HT IPO1 (AI) and Vanrusselhof Brianca (AI) Detection Dog Royal Philippines Palace. Next was the Vanrusselhof E litter (Zico vd Berlex Houve IPO1 X Vanrusselhof Brianca (AI)) which produced Vanrusselhof Elza BH SchHA (AI)
Next came the Vanrusselhof B litter (Bo Les Betulacees X Utamarou des deux Pottois IPO3) which was a line breeding on Elgos du Chemin Plaines and produced Vanrusselhof Brianna HT IPO1 (AI) and Vanrusselhof Brianca (AI) Detection Dog Royal Philippines Palace. Next was the Vanrusselhof E litter (Zico vd Berlex Houve IPO1 X Vanrusselhof Brianca (AI)) which produced Vanrusselhof Elza BH SchHA (AI)
Vanrusselhof Brianna HIT IPO1 (AI)
Bo Les Betulacees CDX HT
ET IPO1 (Imp NWY)
ET IPO1 (Imp NWY)
Vanrusselhof Enca (AI)
Vanrusselhof Brianca (AI)
Having produced nearly all females from the imported frozen semen boys were in short supply so in 2003 Vanrusselhof began the search for an import male. Early 2004 Vanrusselhof Kennels imported Aust/DKBR/DK CH Bryan Vom Haus Mecki IPO3 SchH3 (Imp NWY). We believe Bryan to be the most highly credentialed dog ever imported into Australia in that he is the ONLY dog to hold titles at both ends of his pedigree - 2 conformation show championship titles AND a working Schutzhund 3 title the time of import. Shortly after his arrival Bryan won the 2004 Grand National Schutzhund Championship with High in Trial Protection & High in Trial Obedience. Bryan's sizzling performances on the Schutzhund field marked the start of a surge in popularity of the Malinois in Australia, as this was the first time most of the Australian Schutzhund fraternity had witnessed a fully fledged SchH3 working Malinois in action. Many people became interested in importing or acquiring their first working Malinois very soon after. Numbers on the Schutzhund field rose from virtually non-existent to dominating the sport at an estimated 70% today with numbers in the Air force and Police also growing steadily.
Bryan’s famous courage test
Bryan Tracking
Bryan over the A Frame
Military Working Dog Vanrusselhof Gotya Chisel (Bryan son)
After the 2004 Nationals Bryan went to live with Reg & Karyn Worth to continue his Schutzhund career. Reg and Bryan went on to win the IPO3 competition at the Nationals in 2006, 2007 and in 2008 won the AUSC Grand National Championship Title making Bryan the only dog in Australia to win this prestigious title twice!
In 2007 Reg and Bryan traveled to compete at the FMBB world championships in France and became the first Belgian Shepherd team to ever represent Australia on an international level! Bryan also made his mark as a stud dog in Australia with progeny in security homes, Sport homes, Royal Australian Airforce, Correctional services and the show ring - to name just a few Vanrusselhof Kai (Military working dog), Vanrusselhof Gotya Chisel (Military Working Dog), Vanrusselhof Krueger BH TR2 IPO3.
In 2007 Reg and Bryan traveled to compete at the FMBB world championships in France and became the first Belgian Shepherd team to ever represent Australia on an international level! Bryan also made his mark as a stud dog in Australia with progeny in security homes, Sport homes, Royal Australian Airforce, Correctional services and the show ring - to name just a few Vanrusselhof Kai (Military working dog), Vanrusselhof Gotya Chisel (Military Working Dog), Vanrusselhof Krueger BH TR2 IPO3.
Vanrusselhof have also had great success in the show rings over the years with Best of Breed Malinois at the QLD Specialty 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011, VIC Specialty 2009, NSW Specialty 2002 2007 2008, Illawarra Specialty 2007 2008 with Reserve Best in Show win at Illawarra in 2008 and an elite BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW award in 2010. We have also achieved 10 specialty class in show awards over the years. In the all Breeds show rings Vanrusselhof Malinois have won Best of Breed at Queensland's premier dog show, the Brisbane Royal in 2005 2006 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 Best of Breed at the Toowoomba Royal 2004 2005 2006 2007, 2008, 2009 with an additional 101 Class in Group Awards & 9 class in show awards at all breeds shows to our credit. In summery we have achieved more in the show ring than any other Malinois kennel in Australia!
With a tally of 147 performance titles in ANKC conformation, Obedience, Agility, Lure coursing, Herding, Endurance & Schutzhund we are proud to say Vanruselhof
We have also achieved 10 specialty class in show awards over the years. In the all Breeds show rings Vanrusselhof Malinois have won Best of Breed at Queensland's premier dog show, the Brisbane Royal in 2005 2006 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 Best of Breed at the Toowoomba Royal 2004 2005 2006 2007, 2008, 2009 with an additional 101 Class in Group Awards & 9 class in show awards at all breeds shows to our credit. In summery we have achieved more in the show ring than any other Malinois kennel in Australia!With a tally of 147 performance titles in ANKC conformation, Obedience, Agility, Lure coursing, Herding, Endurance & Schutzhund we are proud to say Vanruselhof
Specialty Best of Breed Winner
Aust CH Vanrusselhof JustWatchMe CCD HT ET
Aust CH Vanrusselhof JustWatchMe CCD HT ET
Malinois have achieved more performance titles than any other Belgian Shepherd Kennel in Australia! As well as achieving this impressive mass of awards, Vanrusselhof dogs have been receiving certification in the security, police service, military and detection programs.
Vanrusselhof Malinois are influential all over the world and many of the dogs we have bred have been the foundation for other kennels breeding programs. We have exported dog to Hong Kong, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Guam, America, Japan, Tahiti & New Zealand and imported dogs/semen from Norway, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Vanrusselhof Malinois are influential all over the world and many of the dogs we have bred have been the foundation for other kennels breeding programs. We have exported dog to Hong Kong, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Guam, America, Japan, Tahiti & New Zealand and imported dogs/semen from Norway, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Best in specialty Show & Reserve in Specialty Show Winner Aust CH Vanrusselhof Malena HT ET
Aust CH Vanrusselhof Sugar N Spice Australia’s first Best in Group 5 Malinois & first and only HSAs Herding titled Malinois
Cougar Van de Duvetorre IPO3 MR 2
Yzer Van de Duvetorre IPO3
In 2009 we decided it was time for some more new Malinois blood and Vanrusselhof imported Ellis de l'origine de faucon rouge IPO3 AD DMC-WP from Germany. Ellis was imported in whelp to Gino von den kleinen Helden V1 CAC/BOB VPG3/IPO3 DMC WP+Körung from Germany. A large, serious impressive male with indisputable working ability and a proven sire with offspring in sport and service homes Gino also boasts one of the highest Korung scores in Germany!
Gino von den kleinen Helden V1 CAC/BOB VPG3/IPO3 DMC WP+Körung (Germany)
Sire of the Vanrusselhof X litter
Sire of the Vanrusselhof X litter
Vanrusselhof imported Ellis de l'origine de faucon rouge IPO3 AD DMC WP in 2009
Dam of the Vanrusselhof X litter
Dam of the Vanrusselhof X litter
In 2008 a new venture began. The Laekenois variety always held great appeal and an opportunity arose and we finally acquired our first Laekenois. Stepping into the show ring with a Laekenois for the first time in 2008 we were awarded Best of Breed Laekenois at the QLD specialty & Best of Breed Laekenois at the Brisbane Royal. The rarest of the 4 Belgian Shepherd varieties the limited numbers and small gene pool make for some challenges but we don't give up easily... We are determined we will promote and advance this variety and no doubt make our mark along the way as we have done for the Malinois variety over the years.
Early 2009 we imported again in the form of Laekenois and Malinois frozen semen from Cougar Van de Duvetorre IPO3 Mondio Ring 2 (BLG), Yzer Van de Duvetorre IPO3(BLG), Zulu Van Balderlo (BLG), Avery van de Duvetorre Mondio Ring I (BLG), ASAP Van Balderlo (BLG), NL CH Iwan V Zuwetta Fortuna (NDL), CH Cool Epic V Springwood (CAN), Blackroyal's Dandy (Fin).
In 2010 the first Vanrusselhof Laekenois from our artificial insemination A litter (Aust CH Radnor De Javu X Can CH Cool Epic V Springwood) hit the show rings with some record breaking results including the first and only Best in Group 5 winning Laekenois in Australia! Multiple dogs from the A litter attained their Championship titles with Royal Best of Breed & Specialty Best of Breed awards with excellent gradings along the way. From Blackroyal’s Dandy we whelped one very typey boy Vanrusselhof Brando (AI) sire of our Laekenois C litter.
In 2010 the first Vanrusselhof Laekenois from our artificial insemination A litter (Aust CH Radnor De Javu X Can CH Cool Epic V Springwood) hit the show rings with some record breaking results including the first and only Best in Group 5 winning Laekenois in Australia!
Multiple dogs from the A litter attained their Championship titles with Royal Best of Breed & Specialty Best of Breed awards with excellent gradings along the way. From Blackroyal’s Dandy we whelped one very typey boy Vanrusselhof Brando (AI) sire of our Laekenois C litter.
Vanrusselhof imported frozen semen from the males below in 2010
Can CH Cool Epic V Springwood
CAC Blackroyal’s Dandy
Zulu Van Balderlo
Late 2010 a new chapter begins as the first Malinois frozen semen progeny from Zulu Van Balderlo & Yzer Van de Duvetorre IPO3 hit the ground - the Vanrusselhof E2 Litter, Vanrusselhof Z Littter and the Vanrusselhof F2 “Famous” litter. The puppies all look very promising.
We look forward to watching next generations mature continuing to make a positive contribution to the breed in Australia. Exciting times ahead....!
We look forward to watching next generations mature continuing to make a positive contribution to the breed in Australia. Exciting times ahead....!
Aust CH Vanrusselhof Ariel HIC (AI)
Australia’s first and only Best in Group 5 winning Laekenois
Australia’s first and only Best in Group 5 winning Laekenois
Meanwhile Bo Les Betulacees tried her paw in the field of ANKC competition turning heads with the speed and drive of a working malinois that most in Australia had never seen before. Bo achieved her CD companion dog, CDX companion dog excellent, HIT herding instinct test & ET endurance test titles easily. At the age of 6 Bo had a change of career and began training towards her Schutzhund titles with Tracey Jackson. Bo took to Schutzhund like a duck to water and easily gained her Sch1 title with high in trial and a pronounced courage ratingunder international judge Lance Collins! Not bad for a dog that started out at 6 years of age. It's worth noting that Bo is the first female Malinois in Australia to achieve any Schutzhund or herding title.
Vanrusselhof Esca (AI) Detection dog at the Royal Philippines Palace and our very own successful brood bitch Vanrusselhof Enca (AI).
© Amanda Camiller All rights reserved 2011
