Am I insane? Paul and I have been doing research about a fourth dog for a long while now. Paul wanted a ridgeback but has decided against it due to being too big. Now he wants an africanis. I am ok with that but not sure if a primitive hound will suit our household.
We also live in an area, while gorgeous, has an issue with crime due to two squatter camps that border us. It is a pretty affluent area and these camps descend into it at night. The other night there was a chase on the go and the cops and some men in pickups managed to corner a man in the reeds in front of the house. They caught him but it took a while.
So, that got me thinking. We intend to remain in the area because we love all it has to offer, nature, dunes, beach, mountains etc. BUT, I feel I want a dog that will pull his or her weight with regards to protection of me and the household.
It would have been so much easier to send a well trained protection dog into the reeds and have it scare the ever loving sh1t out of the guy in there.
Obviously we would not be getting a Mal until we moved out of our townhouse and into a larger property. It is just not fair to expect a high high energy large dog to be happy in such a small yard. We do walk a LOT but still, I would want the dog to have freedom to run in a yard during the day. So, we are looking 3 to 4 years time.
I love high drive dogs and everything about them. I love the look and temperament of Mals, I love the drive and intensity. I have always wanted a dog to do bite work with and take to competition standards. Now, obviously my Paps would not be ideal for that! :rofl1:
Some questions.
How well to Mals do with little dogs? I know most dogs cope fine if they are raised with them but what is a Mals play style like? Are they rough or will they self edit to not harm small, delicate dogs?
Just how much exercise do they require to remain healthy and happy? We do on average about 2 hours a day here. It is not what I would call rough terrain but it is a long and hard walk.
What is their trainability like?
Are they biddable or more difficult?
I just want to add that I don't want this dog as my own personal security guard, but that is a bonus if the dog is sharp and turned on. I want a pet and working dog first and foremost. Another agility prospect wouldn't suck either!
Thanks for taking the time to read and if you did, answer this.
We also live in an area, while gorgeous, has an issue with crime due to two squatter camps that border us. It is a pretty affluent area and these camps descend into it at night. The other night there was a chase on the go and the cops and some men in pickups managed to corner a man in the reeds in front of the house. They caught him but it took a while.
So, that got me thinking. We intend to remain in the area because we love all it has to offer, nature, dunes, beach, mountains etc. BUT, I feel I want a dog that will pull his or her weight with regards to protection of me and the household.
It would have been so much easier to send a well trained protection dog into the reeds and have it scare the ever loving sh1t out of the guy in there.
Obviously we would not be getting a Mal until we moved out of our townhouse and into a larger property. It is just not fair to expect a high high energy large dog to be happy in such a small yard. We do walk a LOT but still, I would want the dog to have freedom to run in a yard during the day. So, we are looking 3 to 4 years time.
I love high drive dogs and everything about them. I love the look and temperament of Mals, I love the drive and intensity. I have always wanted a dog to do bite work with and take to competition standards. Now, obviously my Paps would not be ideal for that! :rofl1:
Some questions.
How well to Mals do with little dogs? I know most dogs cope fine if they are raised with them but what is a Mals play style like? Are they rough or will they self edit to not harm small, delicate dogs?
Just how much exercise do they require to remain healthy and happy? We do on average about 2 hours a day here. It is not what I would call rough terrain but it is a long and hard walk.
What is their trainability like?
Are they biddable or more difficult?
I just want to add that I don't want this dog as my own personal security guard, but that is a bonus if the dog is sharp and turned on. I want a pet and working dog first and foremost. Another agility prospect wouldn't suck either!
Thanks for taking the time to read and if you did, answer this.