This has gone too far... (Malinois!)
- Thread starter monkeys23
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When someone on our walk commented on how pretty and well behaved Nico was, I HAD to shatter their illusion...Let them know that this isn't a PET breed and that they need a job. The phrase "They make Border Collies look laid back" may have come out of my mouth. (Average pet owner here thinks BCs are super hyper and such) I then took out his ball and SHOWED the crazy AND all of my various scrapes and bruises. "And that's just since Friday!" I got the horrified look that I was aiming for. The look was also probably helped by the fact that I said it all happily. 
A friend of mine said that Nico looks like a cross between a dingo and a coyote.
A friend of mine said that Nico looks like a cross between a dingo and a coyote.
I was watching a military documentary once (why? I have NO idea) on tv and the narrator kept pronouncing it "Mal-i-noise"... I was embarrassed for him lol
True, there are. But Everything everyone does... Mals just seem to do it better lol I've always drooled after them... but the one I met at Rally a few weeks ago was just *perfect* and now I can't get them out of my head! An insane dog who NEVER STOPS? Yes please! lol
There are tons of choices for those desires. Honestly there are some bitchin pit bulls who fit that bill.
True, there are. But Everything everyone does... Mals just seem to do it better lol I've always drooled after them... but the one I met at Rally a few weeks ago was just *perfect* and now I can't get them out of my head! An insane dog who NEVER STOPS? Yes please! lol
Yeah, it sounds like you love your dogs to think and give you space which is why it sounds like your sight hound fits so well. These dogs are the opposite, flinging themselves atop you, biting, barking, demanding.
One of the most frustrating parts about mals is how composed they can look when you've put years into them. People think all mals are a breeze because your dogs look so dang good when trained, what they miss are the hundreds flooding the rescue system now because most people are positively not suited to own these dogs.
Last night during group sits and downs at the park we had three people come up in awe and assume this is something born into these dogs and they're a breeze that could do no wrong.
These aren't casual dogs, for 99% of people they make shitty pets(mine included). They spin, bark, bite first and ask later (I was convinced this was a fable and training issue before I got them), they go through windows, they challenge you, they play you, they trick you, and they obsess.
There are other breeds maintaining a similar ability, drive, and flare for show. There are other options and I encourage everyone interested to look elsewhere first. Be positive you can stomach, afford, and laugh about the negatives before you daydream about the pros.
One of the most frustrating parts about mals is how composed they can look when you've put years into them. People think all mals are a breeze because your dogs look so dang good when trained, what they miss are the hundreds flooding the rescue system now because most people are positively not suited to own these dogs.
Last night during group sits and downs at the park we had three people come up in awe and assume this is something born into these dogs and they're a breeze that could do no wrong.
These aren't casual dogs, for 99% of people they make shitty pets(mine included). They spin, bark, bite first and ask later (I was convinced this was a fable and training issue before I got them), they go through windows, they challenge you, they play you, they trick you, and they obsess.
There are other breeds maintaining a similar ability, drive, and flare for show. There are other options and I encourage everyone interested to look elsewhere first. Be positive you can stomach, afford, and laugh about the negatives before you daydream about the pros.
Here's a video of Stan from yesterday working on heeling foundations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmLMObRrqCw
I really shouldn't try to film with my phone and train at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmLMObRrqCw
I really shouldn't try to film with my phone and train at the same time.
I am insane. Because all the bolded sound a lot like what I want. HOWEVER, the underlined is something that I am seriously reminding myself of all of the time. As much as I want a Mal, I don't think I'll have one for a long time. They're a breed I need to put a lot more time and thought into before I move to get one, and I fully plan on doing that. Because lets be honest, right now I have days where Simi makes me crazy and it seems a Mal would be double that.
Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs. I love Sloan because she's just this side of perfection and I love backup despite all of his annoying behaviors and anxieties. I wanted insane drive and I got it, what I didn't know was I wanted brains too and i think those fell out about the millionth time he spun so fast he hit a wall.
I love this breed so much that even though I train with border collie owners training for the chance to compete for world team I still think a small extra flexible mal will suit me better (and there is an offer on the table I'm having trouble saying no to).
But reality is I love these dogs enough to be totally honest and protective over them. When I first saw mal rescue it was tiny and now it's so large I'm having déjà vu of the pit bulls decline.
They're wicked cool dogs for the right home but they're not the only cool breed. Point being, they're just a hot breed right now but hopefully it's not going to be their downfall, they're awesome dogs but a pita and when the day is done most people don't really enjoy being annoyed. Lol
Oh and btw, ime, a good gsd isn't that extremely different. Unless you count the hair, vocalness, and size.
I love this breed so much that even though I train with border collie owners training for the chance to compete for world team I still think a small extra flexible mal will suit me better (and there is an offer on the table I'm having trouble saying no to).
But reality is I love these dogs enough to be totally honest and protective over them. When I first saw mal rescue it was tiny and now it's so large I'm having déjà vu of the pit bulls decline.
They're wicked cool dogs for the right home but they're not the only cool breed. Point being, they're just a hot breed right now but hopefully it's not going to be their downfall, they're awesome dogs but a pita and when the day is done most people don't really enjoy being annoyed. Lol
Oh and btw, ime, a good gsd isn't that extremely different. Unless you count the hair, vocalness, and size.
This! Sure, there are some Mals out there that aim to please, but it takes soooooo much work to convince most Mals that working with you is better than biting you. Pan is coming to the stage now where she looks like a very good and easy dog, but I train a lot. And got bit by my own dog during the process, lol.
At the agility fun match there was another woman there with 2 Mals, and one of them spent the whole time on course jumping at her and biting her. And she is a full-time professional (albeit pet dog) trainer. That same dog bit her (hard!) in the crotch at the herding seminar as well when he was frustrated at not being able to get the sheep. Mals will test you constantly and push boundaries, and yes it is totally true that they bite first (even their owners), think later. People so don't get this until they experience it, but they really do lose their minds when overstimulated and just bite without thought.
I agree that there are other breeds out there with intensity and flash that have more of a desire to please. Heck, I want a Border Collie someday for that reason.
At the agility fun match there was another woman there with 2 Mals, and one of them spent the whole time on course jumping at her and biting her. And she is a full-time professional (albeit pet dog) trainer. That same dog bit her (hard!) in the crotch at the herding seminar as well when he was frustrated at not being able to get the sheep. Mals will test you constantly and push boundaries, and yes it is totally true that they bite first (even their owners), think later. People so don't get this until they experience it, but they really do lose their minds when overstimulated and just bite without thought.
I agree that there are other breeds out there with intensity and flash that have more of a desire to please. Heck, I want a Border Collie someday for that reason.