Belgian Malinois

[4dogs3cats]

I have a friend in Minnesota who is looking into the breed. She lives with her fiance and her daughter in an apartment.

Are they a good apartment breed?

Does anyone know of any good breeders in the area?

And also, what should she look for? Hips and OFA I know are important with them, but if she's not looking for a working dog or a show dog, just a pet, what else should she look for?

Thanks guys!

 

[Laurelin]

Are they a good apartment breed?

:rofl1::rofl1::rofl1:

Why is she wanting a malinois? They are HIGH drive working dogs. I'll let CP talk about them but they're generally not a 'just a pet' breed by far.

I'd also would recommend she read the 'So you think you want a malinois' thread.

 

[corgipower]

If she's looking for just a pet, she really shouldn't be looking at malis.

They could maybe be an apartment dog if they get a lot of time out of the apartment doing various activities and as long as they aren't destructive...They cannot be just a pet. At the very least they should be in a sports home ~ whether or not they ever trial doesn't matter, but they need that level of physical and mental stimulation.

Also, they need an owner who is experienced with high drive, high energy, protective breeds.

As for what to look for:
Hips, elbows, thyroid, eyes. And more important than that is to make sure to investigate temperament of the parents, grandparents, bloodlines and how the breeder raises and socializes the litter.

 

[4dogs3cats]

Thanks guys. Her fiance is the one that wants the dog. She had told me about one offered for 1,000 in the area, and her fiance talked him down to 750 and I told her to be VERY wary because that sounds very BYBish and that dog is probably not tested at all.

I know Chance wasn't too great in an apartment and his energy pent up REALLY quickly

 

[Laurelin]

Seriously, tell them to read this thread: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t117960/

malinois is quite possibly the last breed I'd ever recommend for "Just a pet in an apartment."

 

[corgipower]

IMO, it's not so much an apartment issue as it is an activity issue. A malinois isn't going to do any better in a house if he's expected to just sit around and be a pet. If the apartment is just a place for eating and sleeping and the dog is out and active all day every day...maybe...although they're not usually quiet, between barking/whining and also bouncing themselves off walls ~ literally...

 

[4dogs3cats]

Seriously, tell them to read this thread: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t117960/

malinois is quite possibly the last breed I'd ever recommend for "Just a pet in an apartment."

haha I have read that thread. makes me think of Chance

IMO, it's not so much an apartment issue as it is an activity issue. A malinois isn't going to do any better in a house if he's expected to just sit around and be a pet. If the apartment is just a place for eating and sleeping and the dog is out and active all day every day...maybe...although they're not usually quiet, between barking/whining and also bouncing themselves off walls ~ literally...

Are they kind of comparable to GSD's? Because I would not recommend anyone with a GSD to try apartment life. The only dog I own thats okay in an apartment is Bailey and thats only because shes not your typical beagle. She doesn't bark, lol.

 

[corgipower]

Are they kind of comparable to GSD's?

Somewhat...basically, think gsdXbc on crack...

 

[Xandra]

haha I have read that thread. makes me think of Chance



Are they kind of comparable to GSD's? Because I would not recommend anyone with a GSD to try apartment life. The only dog I own thats okay in an apartment is Bailey and thats only because shes not your typical beagle. She doesn't bark, lol.

I've heard them referred to as GSD's on crack lol. I'm thinking not the best choice.

 

[Laurelin]

Mals are a lot more dog than a GSD based on my experience. I love them though.

 

[stafinois]

Unless he's into dog sports or training for a marathon, I'd recommend no. Harry spent the first 3 years of his life in an apartment, but I was able to take him to work with me and I trained in FR three times a week, plus did tons of stuff with him.

Check out Avonlea Malinois in Minnesota. Might be nice for them to meet some dogs and talk to somebody with breed experience in person. Another option would be a rescue dog. Sometimes they get some that are a little less dog, and while still a lot more dog than most, might make a nice active pet.

 

[SisMorphine]

Even being a working dog person myself, who one day wants to add a Malinois to the house . . . oh man that is a decision that not only will I not make lightly, but I also know that in my current living/working situation I am not in the position to deal with a dog with that type of drive.

Do you know WHY he wants a Mal? Perhaps there is another breed that is a little less drivey that would fit his wants. Or like someone else suggested, maybe there is an adult wash out from a breeding program, or in rescue, that somehow managed to escape the genetics of insane drive

 

[jenv101]

I think we got lucky with ours, he isn't insanely high drive, he's at least tolerable in the house, but we have a huge yard. I can't imagine being in an apartment with him though - I think we'd both be doing this :wall: