I have a big breed decision and I can't decide.

[Tazwell]

So I've been approved for a 12 week old girl malinois puppy that is up for adoption in my area, I drove three hours up to see her yesterday. She is with a trainer who had her two sisters after they were surrendered by a clueless family... and he's doing awesome groundwork and socialization with them at the local 4H club. She's gorgeous and perfect and is exactly what I want in a malinois pup. All three were very thoroughly evaluated, she's perfect for the first time mali-owner like me.

But, because of Fleetwood's health, the breeder has offered me another pup as an replacement. The problem is that I cannot have 3 dogs, so I ultimately have to decide between Malinois or Beauceron as my second dog. I LOVE the beauceron breed, but I also really want to experience the malinois as well! I want in my next dog a high energy companion that can bike, hike, swim, and jore with me (I'm talking almost every day), as well as probably get involved in a schutzhund club. I would like to dabble in agility and dock dogs as well.

I need to make this decision fast, otherwise its going to be made for me-- I've lost a lot of sleep over this (talk about first world problems LOL)!

What do you'all think?

As an after thought-- if I were walking a beauceron and a malinois together, people would think that I was walking two very funny looking German shepherds

 

[Xandra]

On one hand I want to say the Beauceron because I'd think it'd be from good lines and they're so unique and pretty, but I have to ask, is Fleetwood a total anomaly? Because it would be bad news to have two dogs with inherited issues.

On the other, a nice little Mal puppy... for contrast and all. lol!

I'm totally stuck lol But lucky you either way

 

[sillysally]

Do Fleetwood's health issues have anything to do with genetics (what are the chances the new pup would have the same issues)?

If you are comfortable getting another pup from that breeder, I would do that personally.

 

[stafinois]

Wow, hard. I'd love to have a Beauceron someday, and obviously I love Malinois...

Out of curiosity, what kind of health issues does Fleetwood have?

 

[cliffdog]

This is just my opinion, I would go with the Malinois. I like variety and I think having more than one breed at a time can be great because you have two (or more) distinct and different dogs with different personalities. Obviously dogs within the same breed vary but not usually so much as two unrelated dogs. But I know other people who like the uniformity of having dogs of the same breed so really, it's all up to what suits you.

 

[JessLough]

Can you get a puppy from another breeding years down the road? If so and this is the only chance at a malinois... Id go that route personally

 

[Tazwell]

Fleetwood seems to have Crohn's disease, or some other similar autoimmune condition... neither I or the breeder have seen it in the breed before... so although I'm a little hesitant, I can't even say for sure that genetics had anything to do with it.

 

[StephyMei1112]

I'd go for the Mal. Perfect for everything you have described wanting in a dog and more - the variance between two different breeds are great as well.

Then perhaps another Beauceron a little later down the road...I prefer calling them by their nickname - Bas Rouge xd.

 

[Tazwell]

Assuming nothing drastic happens to Fleetwood or the mal, it might be 10+ years before I'm ready for another. And who's to say the breeder won't be retired by then?

 

[elegy]

Well, but there will always be other breeders, both of Beaucerons and Malis.

Do you know anything about the lines this Mali comes from? I don't know that I'd be comfortable taking a pup from unknown bloodlines, especially a Malinois. A young adult, sure, but a puppy? I don't know that I'm that brave.

Doesn't mean you aren't, though?

 

[Barb04]

I think the best advice I can give you is to go with what your heart is telling you to get.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Well, but there will always be other breeders, both of Beaucerons and Malis.

Do you know anything about the lines this Mali comes from? I don't know that I'd be comfortable taking a pup from unknown bloodlines, especially a Malinois. A young adult, sure, but a puppy? I don't know that I'm that brave.

Doesn't mean you aren't, though?

This, don't just assume the puppy will be perfect either.

Personally, while I encourage and support rescue, having one dog with issues I may choose the breeder pup and consider rescue later especially knowing in 10 years not only will mal rescue exist but it will likely be more desperate for help.

 

[Zoom]

From what I know of the MYV lines, Fleetwood's are a pretty random occurrence. If she's offering you another pup, I'd go that route. There will always be rescue Mals out there.

 

[FG167]

I would not take a Mal from unknown lines as a young pup.

Take the Beauceron

 

[Aleron]

I think they both sound like good options, it depends on what you want. Do you your two dogs to be two of the same breed? Or are you eager to try something different? If Fleetwood's breeder hadn't offered you another puppy, would you still be torn between another Beuceron and a Mal? Or would the choice be easier?

I don't personally see any issue with taking a rescue Mal pup or a puppy from the breeder your dog with health issues came from. There are a lot of nice Mals in rescue, plenty of people have taken Mal pups from rescue and been very happy with their dogs. Two from a litter from ABMC ended up in this area and those dogs are really, really great and their owners do all sorts of stuff with them. I personally would sooner take a rescue puppy than adult because of the foundation work and socialization issue. If you ruled out every breeder who ever produced a dog with any kind of health issue, you wouldn't have any breeders left to pick from. It's great she offered you a replacement puppy but I wouldn't blame her for Fleetwood's health issue.

 

[Shai]

I, personally, would probably go with the Beauc pup given what you've said here. And I like Mals.

But that is me.

 

[Kilter]

Given that you have a dog with health issues, and you have the option to get a pup from a good breeder that isn't as likely to have the same problems, I'd go that route over the rescue where you're not going to be as sure what the background is. Seeing as it's a puppy in rescue, who knows...

 

[joce]

I can see where you are torn here. I am going to try to get down to two and its tough(and probably not gonna happen!).

I'd go with the pup in the rescue because for me it would be something new and right now that's what I am looking for. But I also know I'll always have a dobe- I just don't Need two of them (though I wouldn't mind it really).

Does this pup feel like "the puppy"? If not go with your dogs breeder.

 

[Tazwell]

The thought of potential problems with rescuing a pup does not scare me. I've been in rescue for many years, and have experienced what can happen with breeder dogs, too. Both sides are kind of a cr@pshoot with their own set of pros and cons.

Ultimately, I'm leaning towards beauceron. I'm familiar with the training and handling, I Love how Fleetwood turned out, I'd love to do it again. Like a lot of you said, there's always going to be more rescued Malinois.

I would like to expand into more breeds. But I think I am going to take advantage of the opportunity to get another beauceron pup here... I still have not made up my mind 100%, so I'm still open to debate!!

Thanks for all of the input!

 

[Dizzy]

Tough decision, I don't envy you!!! How old was the puppy before she went into rescue?