Belgian Malinois

neapolitanpitbull

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#1
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

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#2
SummerRiot might be able to help here, i know she has a tervuren but she knows alot about the belgian shepherd variaties in general :D
 

Toller_08

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#3
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

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#4
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/
 
T

tessa_s212

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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

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#6
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

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#7
Extreme dogs. NOT for novice owner. 90% of people dont need a dog of such drive.
 

BlackPuppy

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#9
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

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#10
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
 

lakotasong

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#11
While I generally agree that show breeders often "dumb down" the working drive, my mother purchased her Malinois from one of the top show breeders in the US. Her dogs still have extreme drive, natural herding instinct, and excel in whatever she asks them to. The Malinois does not have as large of a show/work split as other breeds, such as the Siberian. JMHO.
 

oriondw

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#12
While I generally agree that show breeders often "dumb down" the working drive, my mother purchased her Malinois from one of the top show breeders in the US. Her dogs still have extreme drive, natural herding instinct, and excel in whatever she asks them to. The Malinois does not have as large of a show/work split as other breeds, such as the Siberian. JMHO.
Thats good for Mals. Other breeds like GSD's are not as lucky.

Even with my breed last 10 years were probably the worst. Shows ruin breeds. :(
 

oriondw

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#14
Siberians fall into the same unlucky category as GSD, sadly. :(

What is your chosen breed?
Kavkazskaya Ovcharka. Been working with them while I was in Ukraine/Russia, and now own one of the American stock bred.

Been my favourite breed along with GSD's for most of my life :D


I like mals as well, but have very limited personal experience with them.
 

SummerRiot

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#15
Yuppers, I agree with just about anything said on here lol

Mals are like BCs on crack lol Love it!

Mals are the most high drive out of all of the Belgians - they are NOT for everyone and they are NOT for inexperienced owners. Before owning a Mal, I'd want to get socialized yourself with Belgians.

Belgians are a very unique breed I find, they are unlike most of the breeds that I have come across so far and I grew up basically at dog shows with my parents(as they showed Shelties)

THey are very much a natural protection dog as well and IF not trained properly can turn into a NIGHTMARE!!

Belgains are a breed that Demands consistant and positive socializing as well. To EVERYTHING..

THey are an extremely smart breed as well - which is good and bad. THey pick up good and bad habits very quickly hehe
 

neapolitanpitbull

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#16
Yuppers, I agree with just about anything said on here lol

Mals are like BCs on crack lol Love it!

Mals are the most high drive out of all of the Belgians - they are NOT for everyone and they are NOT for inexperienced owners. Before owning a Mal, I'd want to get socialized yourself with Belgians.

Belgians are a very unique breed I find, they are unlike most of the breeds that I have come across so far and I grew up basically at dog shows with my parents(as they showed Shelties)

THey are very much a natural protection dog as well and IF not trained properly can turn into a NIGHTMARE!!

Belgains are a breed that Demands consistant and positive socializing as well. To EVERYTHING..

THey are an extremely smart breed as well - which is good and bad. THey pick up good and bad habits very quickly hehe
I should know what you mean about untrained Belgians becoming a nightmare. One of my old so called "friends" had one and she had that dog attack me! God I hate her. That dog tried to bite my head off and it bit me and tried to kill me when I was walking to the bathroom! It also bit my mom and my brother.
 

SummerRiot

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#17
Yeah, Belgians have a bad rap in the show ring as well because some handlers dont take the time to properly train their dog for such activities as being petted by strangers.

Riot went through a "phase" where he was like that, but I got help and hes just fabulous now with strangers giving kisses and everything. He still is a good judge of character.. if someone doesn't look right to him he'll let them know by "the Belgian stare" and a deep grown and he'll put himself between me and that person..

its quite intimidating actually lol

They have a strong and fast bite as well...

I have met one Belgian that wasn't properly trained and it was SCAREY to be around lol

It also depends on the lines that you get your Belgian from as well, some belgians jus thave a natural "edge" to some of their lines which makes them like that.

Mals are generally more expensive then Tervs as well (if you want a properly bred one). At least they are in this area anyways.

The "rank" system for aggresion from what I am told by Belgian professionals (as in over 20yrs experience with the breed)

Starting from most friendly

-Gronendael
Tervuren
Malinois
Laekenois-

THe Laeks are more "bold" then the Mals..

They just dont call the Mals "Maligators" for nothing though.
 

Zoom

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#18
A related question: On another thread it was discuessed how a Mal bitch could throw Tervs, Groens or Laeks along with Mal pups, as it was basically just down to coat types. Are "drive" genes coded to certain coat types?
 

SummerRiot

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#19
the Drive genes are definatelly based on the pedigree that they are born with.

But coat types can come from just about any other one. :)

A Gron could be born from a Terv a Mal can be born from a Terv etc etc.

But a "true pure" (meaning a Terv from a Terv...) would have a designated "boldness" to them.

I have met Laek pups that were WAY more bold then RIot ever will be lol
 

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