I am interested in guys who have or had a malinois. What are your experience has been? Tell me good and bad things about them. I have never own a malinois, but I grew up four different breeds; American Eskimo, Australian shepherd, rottie, and border collie.

I know they are highly intelligent breed like border collie. I know they can make someone go nut if they aren't given anything to do at home. Seriously, I have a problem with that because I can't stand a breed that can't chill out and rest!

I like when dogs are calm and relax not kind of bounce off the wall. I tend to do well with molosser dogs and they match my personality pretty good. I can't stand dogs with too much energy or find something to keep them busy all the time. I will be out of my mind. The border collie that I grew up with was not so bad. He was not that "pyscho" since he was my running and walking companion.

A friend who is a respected trainer advise me to get a malinois if I want to do french ring and mondioring. I wanted to do it with a cane coros, but he advise me not to go with that breed for numerous reasons. I have asked about doberman and several other breed options. I tried to exclude malinois because I feel it dominates in every sports like GSD. It is probably one of my least favorite breed. I'm sure you guys are going to slap my wrist!

I don't know anythinig about malinois. I know they are from Belgium and like to herd sheep? I know nothing about their standard or health issues.

Well I have never owned a mal but I am going to drop in an extremely biased opinion If you like the Molosser type of dogs and have considered the Canie, which I also would probably say not to go with.. good luck finding a working quality Canie for less than 2500 in the US!

;;cough;; American Bulldog ;;cough cough;; If you would like you can PM me regarding this breed's merits and I will give you some links and info regarding their suitability for sport and protection.

There are lots of threads on the board about Malinois and the pros and cons...

Seriously, if the Malinois is one of your least favorite breeds, I would recommend you stay away from them.

I am pretty protective of this breed and if you already have an attitude like this without knowing anything about them (at your own admission) then you would be a lot happier with a lower octane dog.

 Quote:

I have asked about doberman and several other breed options.

You don't want a Dobe either. They have a lot of energy, need a lot of exercise and need to have something to think about. You've expressed a dislike of dogs that "bounce off the walls"....that rules out Dobes too.

Lindsay,
Do you mean that the GSD is your least favorite breed? or the Mal?

There is definitely reasons why those two breeds dominate some fields. Just as the Border Collie seems to dominate the "herding" world along with ACD's and Aussie Shepherds.

I would think that you would be better with a good GSD rather than a Mal. If this is going to be your first "sport" dog, this is what I would do.

I am not a big Mal promoter, especially since I get all kinds of rescue notices for them now....grrrr

They are not for people who want a "go get on your bed and sleep" dog, although they will, but it is usually with one eye open, still looking for something to do.

I researched, watched and really thought about the Mal for over a year before I took the plunge and I will never go back unless I find a good Dutchie (which are few and far between) and I will always have a Bloodhound around until I am too old to keep up with them on trails, but the Mal will always be the dog of choice in my household now.

Lindsay

I am not sure that you are going to find a dog that wants to just "chill and rest", and yet be successful in ring sports. That energy, drive, and relentless obsession are the reasons the Malinois dominates the ring sports.

I certainly would not recommend you take on a Mal unless you are not totally committed to them and their job.

In fact, you really have to love your Mal to like your Mal. Otherwise, they will drive you insane. Does that make sense?


Trevor

As a Mal lover, like Cindy I am very protective of the breed. If you don't absolutely love them don't get one. They are not for the faint of heart. Definitely not a couch potato type dog.

If you don't have the time or desire to entertain them they find ways to entertain themselves....ways that can be very destructive! And yes, they have lots of energy.

can a mal be a house pet with the right amount of excrise or is it only for working sports

I had a co-ownership of a Malinois for a year before she disapeared with the other co-owner...... Anyways
I found that yes she was full of fire and she wanted to have a challenge everyday but
that is to be expected in such a high functioning animal. Definitly not a wet sock and not for someone without patience.

"I tried to exclude malinois because I feel it dominates in every sports like GSD"

I don't think it is fair to see it this way, if this is the ownly reason for not liking the breed maybe you should do some more reaserch into the breed and go watch them work, train, and talk to some malinois owners and their get their feedback.

If you want a working dog you have too at least appreaciate the level intensity and intelligence of this breed.

You stated this this is one of your least favorite breed, but you never really said why? Is it their looks or just the energy of these dogs or something else?
That comment makes me think maybe you should just skip getting one all together if you will never really like the dog.

I have been told but I may be wrong, that the Belgium bred dogs were a "little" more easy to live with then French.

 Quote: Lindsay Janes

I am interested in guys who have or had a malinois. What are your experience has been? Tell me good and bad things about them. I have never own a malinois, but I grew up four different breeds; American Eskimo, Australian shepherd, rottie, and border collie.

I know they are highly intelligent breed like border collie. I know they can make someone go nut if they aren't given anything to do at home. Seriously, I have a problem with that because I can't stand a breed that can't chill out and rest!
......
I like when dogs are calm and relax not kind of bounce off the wall. I tend to do well with molosser dogs and they match my personality pretty good. I can't stand dogs with too much energy or find something to keep them busy all the time. I will be out of my mind.

I believe I have a Malinois in GSD clothing. That being said, based on your 2 paragraphs above, I would strongly advise against a Malinois for you (based on those here who have them and low energy and calm is never a description used for a Mal), and you may want to rule out the GSD as well as you have to be extremely careful what type of GSD you get, as they can also be the same hyper, jumping off the wall type dogs.

I have had mellow GSDs, but that was before many breeders breed for high drives.

Do you want to do French Ring or Mondio? Personally I'm at a loss as to what breed other than the 2 mentioned would be good for either of those sports. I'm still sticking with not getting a Mal for yourself, or a high drive GSD.