Belgian Malinois

[neapolitanpitbull]

What is a belgian malinois like to own? I have heard they have a very high drive...an even higher drive than a Border Collie. Are they pretty much like owning a short haired tervuren? One of my old friends has a tervuren and that dog would have been great if she wasnt aggresive. Anyway.. what are Malinoises like to own? Are they expensive? Where would you get one?

[stevinski]

SummerRiot might be able to help here, i know she has a tervuren but she knows alot about the belgian shepherd variaties in general

[Toller_08]

Tervs are pretty laid back compared to the other three Belgian varieties - atleast the ones I know and have met are. That being said, Tervs are also extremely active and full of drive - imagine a Terv with 10 times more energy and drive...that's a Mal. Malinois are not easy dogs to deal with generally and I definitely wouldn't recommend them to 95% of people out there. They're extremely high drive, intense, energetic, always on the go dogs. They can be hard to control for most people and constantly need to do something. They aren't any more expensive than most other breeds (around $1000-$2000, give or take some) and like other breeds, they can be found through breeders. There are quite a few Mal breeders out there, but not a lot with stable temperamented dogs. Besides that, I don't know a whole lot else about them as I never really researched them as much as I did the Laekenois, Groenendael, and Tervuren as I don't want a dog with short hair. Hopefully Wolfsoul or SummerRiot sees thus thread as they'd be able to offer a lot more insight on the breed.

All of that being said, if you're thinking of getting one yourself, I honestly don't think a Malinois would fit into your lifestyle very well at all for various reasons.

[lakotasong]

I live with three Malinois (my mother owns/competes/breeds). They are definitely not a breed for everyone. Extremely high drive, always need a job. If you don't provide this for them, they can get neurotic (I've seen some rescues in pretty sorry shape before). If you want a pet, I wouldn't advise a Mali. If you want a super obedience, agility, herding and/or Schutzhund dog - by all means look into the breed further. They excel in just about everything they set their minds to. My mother does obedience, agility, herding and conformation. I often hear Mali people describe them as "Border Collies who have a crack habit," and it's pretty accurate! :P

I would contact the American Belgian Malinois Club for breeder referral. http://www.american-belgian-malinois-club.org/

Originally Posted by summitview

I often hear Mali people describe them as "Border Collies who have a crack habit," and it's pretty accurate! :P

Yup. This is exactly what I was told when I was looking into the Belgian Malinois three years ago. Border collies on crack.

[MafiaPrincess]

A friend on another forum owns Malinois. He actually explained to someone tonight who didn't know what they were what they were like.. I asked if I could copy his post since owners of them aren't too too common, and I feel he's pretty informed about his breed as another opinion for the OP in case not many people answer.

Gunny wrote: A Malinois, is a breed of dog, AKA Belgian Malinois. IT resembles a Geman shepherd dog. But is more slender, and slightly smaller. Also the colors of a malinois is tan or red, with a black mask. They were bred to be an all purpose working dog. They arrive in the states, in about 1950. they were gaining notarity for k-9 police work. They are not generally a good pet dog, nor a firt timers dog. For the fact is they are driven. They have tons of energy, and without enough knowldege on dog training, can seem crazy out of control. But that crazy out of control is what makes them trainable. we take that energy. and make them work for what they want. They are slos nervous and have tendncy to be nippy, and some would rather fight than run. I think you can see the problems that can arise from a dog that is nervous, and nippy. they can be safe in public and totally social. but need the proper handling early on.

[oriondw]

Extreme dogs. NOT for novice owner. 90***37; of people dont need a dog of such drive.

[neapolitanpitbull]

Ok...thanks everyone.

[BlackPuppy]

I have two. One is a mix. The nice thing is that they are not a naturally aggressive breed though they are protective but not so much "free thinkers" as German Shepherds. They are extremely smart and very obedient. The prey drive will be a problem with an untrained Malinois, so you have to work with them a lot. Forget about owning one if you work long hours away from home.

One of the most annoying things is -- no more sleeping late in the mornings. They'll have you up and about whether you want to or not.

Definitely more work than a Tervuren or Groenendael. But they're still dogs and are just as loving and devoted as any other dog.

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted by oriondw

Extreme dogs. NOT for novice owner. 90% of people dont need a dog of such drive.

Drive varies by breeders. I think the conformation dogs have much less drive. My puppy is from working lines, but bred to be "all purpose". Still have enough drive for all jobs but very manageable. The litter turned out so good that the breeder is planning a repeat.


Now this is a high drive Malinois. Breeders of these high drive dogs DO weed out prospective owners and will not sell to a "pet" home. (My older dog could do this if he didn't have degenerative joint disease. )

French Police Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka6qIJ9PYSE


My dog