Ok so I have a 21 month old intact female mal, yes my first one, and I am thinking of getting her a pal. My question is other than chow and vet visits how much of a bigger deal would it be to have two mal's over one?

It probably depends a lot on what your plans for your current dog are... Dog's don't need doggie friends, and it can make them less responsive to their owners... it is hard for us mere humans to compete with dogs playing with each other. On top of that, you are assuming your bitch will automatically love having another bitch or male in HER home. Even dogs who love other dogs away from home don't take to a new member encroaching on their own turf.

Why do you think your dog needs a pal?

ain't worth the hassle, I have four, I thought I was going to start a breeding program and do a lot more dog sports. niether happened. My two Uberbitches have to be kenneled seperatley

I wanted to breed her for one litter after this December and keep one of the pups then have her fixed. However finding a stud Mal so far is has proven to be more hassle than it seems to be worth.

yea, thought of doing the same but if you crunch the numbers, the cost of getting a litter to market not counting the hours you have to put in plus there is no guarantee that you won't get a litter of rejects, your brood bitch dies or loose the whole litter. Its cheaper to buy a pup or a green dog from a professional kennel

 Quote: Lelend Williams

I wanted to breed her for one litter after this December and keep one of the pups then have her fixed. However finding a stud Mal so far is has proven to be more hassle than it seems to be worth.

Why do you want to breed her? Is she titled in a protection or some sort of working dog venue?

And, have you thought of the responsibility that comes with *responsibly* placing Belgian Malinois pups into suitable homes?

Every breeder has to start somewhere, but it doesn't sound like you put a lot of thought into this.

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I have a mal, ... and I am thinking of getting her a pal.

Purchasing a dog for your existing dog is almost always a bad idea. (And one I come across in rescue all the time). I've posted this before and I'll say it again. If you get a second dog, it is for YOU.. not for YOUR DOG. What will happen to your second dog if your first dog doesn't like it? It is your job to train and entertain your dog, not another dog's job; just as it is not your existing dog's responsibility to train and entertain the new dog as its "pet". YOU are the owner.

If *you* want another Mal, go with Dennis's advice and purchase a pup or young dog, or adopt one from a rescue. Don't breed.

 Quote: angela burrell

Purchasing a dog for your existing dog is almost always a bad idea. (And one I come across in rescue all the time). I've posted this before and I'll say it again. If you get a second dog, it is for YOU.. not for YOUR DOG. What will happen to your second dog if your first dog doesn't like it?

Amen.

The O.P. might want to browse through the dozens (hundreds) of threads here from distraught owners who are freaked out because their dogs have to separated in order for them not to live in terror of dog fights, blood, injury, and worse.

I can handle separating dogs. But how does that fit in with acquiring another dog "for" the existing one?

Get a dog because YOU want another dog... you want to train and work with it and accomplish whatever goals you have. Not for your dog. Many working-breed dogs do not just automatically get along, it can be stressful for the dog, and they may feel a need to try to establish rank, which you don't want. Having both dogs trained well will prevent fights or bullying, but then leaving them alone is another story.

Before you decide to breed, put a lot of thought into it, as to why your dog (as opposed to all the thousands of other Malinois) is worth passing her genetics on. It is a lot of responsibility to find good working homes for a whole litter, and people will want to know if she (and/or the stud) is titled, health checked, OFA hips, what kind of pedigree, etc. There are a lot of people breeding Mals, and you will regret it when they are getting older and older and you don't have enough qualified homes.

I have two Mals and wouldn't do it again. They get along fine - female is fixed and male is actually a stud dog, both living together in my house with a bunch of cats. Let me tell you it is a huge deal having two Mals. For example see my thread re. crittering; it makes it a lot tougher when you have a pack. And training - IMO a Mal needs proper training for nearly its whole life. You are spending hours and lots of $$$ training two dogs. I am working part time, in the AM only, that gives me enough time training both dogs but sets me back money wise. Having two Mals 14 months apart set me back a huge deal in titling my dogs. BTW I didn't get my female as a puppy because I knew I couldn't live up to my male. Remember how much time you spent raising your dog the first year?
My male hasn't produced any puppies yet, maybe never will. There are a few people interested in him because he has excellent nerves, is bidable, and has a nice pedigree. When he has his SCHIII and I find the breeder I feel comfy with then he might get lucky. And he will not be available to someone who just wants to have one litter, doesn't have enough experience with Mals, and didn't title the dog. That's most likely you got turned down from breeders.
I had two littes of Maine Coon cats. The responsablity was huge and I personally would never raise Mals looking for a perfect, forever home. I don't know how the siutation in North America is. In German speaking countries we have far too many litters and many breeders have a rough time placing their pups.
Take your time, title your female first and a few years down the road it might be a nice idea.