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Anyone Own a Belgian Malinois?

Rexedgar said:
I think I tried to make this point six months ago….
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I'm sure you did. I believe that I did, also. I confessed that although I had considered getting a Belgian Malinois myself because I am looking for a dog that is resistant to cancer, which they are, that I felt I could not handle a dog that active. But @Checkerboard Strangler 's initial post seemed to me to be saying that working dogs needed to work all the time. I disagree with that. Different breeds of working dogs have different activity levels. Newfoundlands are working dogs and like to have jobs to do. They do not go crazy if they are allowed some down time, however. I have had a Newfoundland. From what I had seen of a friend's Belgian Malinois and what I had read about the breed, I felt I couldn't provide the right home, however.
 
Rexedgar said:
To own a hi-energy dog, you need to make a life-time, (the dog’s,) commitment. We had a GSD for 12 wonderful years, and it was a lot of work, but rewarding.
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Same here.. .our GSD is now 7 years old.
On one hand, due to their intelligence and VERY strong desire to please you, they are exceedingly easy to housebreak and train. Absolute piece of cake.
But on the other hand, they are shepherds. They want everyone to be in sight. They stress when people are in different rooms, or some are outside and some are inside. They hate unpredictability. They learn your habits like no other breed, and stress when you do something out of habit.
Essentially, a GSD wants everyday to be the same. Or at least very predictable. And they settle down only when you are settled down.
If you get lonely while in the bathroom - a GSD will solve that problem
 
Contrast this with the day my Newfoundland "locked" (the door wasn't locked, but he had closed the door and couldn't open it) himself in a very small bathroom and didn't do anything to let us know he was there. No barking or whining or scratching. We searched the house and yard and couldn't find him. (We always kept the bathroom door shut since otherwise he would lift the toilet seat and lid and drink out of it.) He just waited alone and eventually he was found.
 
That actually happened with Xena, she let out a single loud bark and when I opened the door she was just sitting there waiting and trotted out.
 
Jay Falcon said:
He's going to be BIG. His mom and dad are really, really huge for Mals.
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He sounds like the kind of guy I always wind up with. The big ones are fun. Just be sure they are well trained young, and I know that you and your wife get right on the training the second you see your puppies!

Have fun!
 
Jay Falcon said:


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I almost missed these last photos! How adorable. Your whole property is a dogs' playground (or training ground!). I love the paws, but big as they are, I have to tell you they would fit inside one of my Newfie's huge mitts and disappear! His paws were truly prodigious!

I love your animals. Enjoy them.
 
I will add the Louisiana Catahoula to your list for consideration.

Another of the breeds in the border collie, malinois, range of crazy smart working dogs. They can be trained to do anything you can train a dog to do. Naturally protective. Wild genes from the red wild and Carolina Dog added to reinforce pack mentality.

Not a beginners dog. Need a lot of interaction but hound dogs at heart, so laying around is in their wheelhouse. Gotta be alpha but not excessively. Their pack behaviors tend to be mostly of the “The rest of the pack gets to get on the couch! WTF?” variety. Argument and debate.

Mine is a sweetheart through and through. Not a mean bone in his body.

And they come in all colors as they are a “Cur” breed. Designer mutts!

(I see this was an old thread now. Congratulations on your choice! I’m sure you’ll take good care!)
 
I have heard that Catahoulas are good dogs.
 
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NewfieMom said:
He's not so tiny anymore. How old is he and what does he weigh? (He is very, very good looking. Both your dogs are.)
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Thanks NewfieMom! We're very happy and very proud of them.

He's about 5 months old and weighing more than 15 kilos.

He'll be bigger than Nika soon enough
 
Jay Falcon said:
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Just been catching up on this thread. Your dogs are very beautiful, you must be so proud of both of them. They look like they're very happy and healthy, great family for you and your wife to share your home with. I'm impressed. Hugs for them both.
 
Guarding dog, smart, very affectionate and very protective. I had one when I was young and best friend I ever had.
Needs a lot of space and exercise. The very best of luck to you.
 

Never had this particular breed, but have always owned working dogs, and wanted to say good on you for doing your homework first!! Seriously, so many people fail to do that, to me just doing your due diligence tells me you'll do fine.

Try not to rush the decision and do your research. Joining a breed specific Facebook group with people familiar with the breed would be a great start, people love talking about their dogs, and love educating about them even more. Be sure to fully understand the down sides, as every breed has them, to make sure there are no deal breakers. And, as others have said, be prepared for the fact that this dog will become a major part of your day, every day, until you say goodbye.

All the best... working dogs are awesome for the right person, as the effort required to own them will be rewarded with a level of bonding that, in my opinion, exceeds that of other, more ornamental, breeds.
 
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