LOL no kidding! I say Malinois and they're like "oh a Malamute!". Even Roust's rabies certificate says "Belgian Malamoot". The only people who put it together are the ones who already at least kind of know what a Mal is and they usually ask me "Is that a Malinois (Or Malinoise LOL)? Our police department has one" or some such thing.
I tend to say Malinois just out of habit, unless I have Roo and a Black Dog out then I say they're Belgian Shepherds because it's easier. Saying Belgian Shepherd is certainly a better idea for simplicity and I try to remember but...it's hard! My dogs with their funny names and weird breeds just get confusing looks all around from the general public LOL
Popularity isn't as much an issue as breeders willing to sell dogs to anyone with no screening and no strings attached. And that seems to be pretty common with Mals
I tend to say Malinois just out of habit, unless I have Roo and a Black Dog out then I say they're Belgian Shepherds because it's easier. Saying Belgian Shepherd is certainly a better idea for simplicity and I try to remember but...it's hard! My dogs with their funny names and weird breeds just get confusing looks all around from the general public LOL
Popularity isn't as much an issue as breeders willing to sell dogs to anyone with no screening and no strings attached. And that seems to be pretty common with Mals
Side note, I met a pyr today. Very cute!!