I know they are very different but they have a surprising number of similarities also. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in kindly debating pros and cons for each? My wife and I are settled on one or the other for our next dog. The reason I'm asking you all is because I tend to get some dang good info from people who love dogs.

I guess I should start it off.

Malinois:
High drive (easy to train), very athletic, beautiful frame, intelligent, energetic, desperate to please, loyal, can train bite sports, good size for deterring aggressive people (for my wife)...

Border Collies:
High drive (easy to train), very athletic, beautiful frame, intelligent, energetic, desperate to please, loyal, very good at agility type sports, good size for traveling....

Can you see why I really can't make a solid decision?

Are you planning on doing any serious competitive or sport training with your next dog?

I have never owned either breed, but from what i have heard both breeds can possess the kind of drive and work ethic that can lead to some hard to handle situations if they are not challenged mentally and physically on a constant basis.

I have even heard of both breeds being classified as "not pets".

Of course, all breeds have their individuals. I wouldn't rule either breed out, but its important to consider how much "work" you will realistically be able to provide for the dog. There is a big difference between owning a pet with enough drive that you can "do stuff" with it and a dog that needs to feel it has work for the sake of its sanity.

In my own life I'm learning the difference between the two more and more all the time!

Well, to be honest I truly think that I can occupy either of these breeds a good majority of the time. I want to, literally, do every sport except maybe hunting and herding. Sometimes with my puppy I am raising right now, his day will consist of training, sleep, playing, sleep, training, etc...I am using Michael Ellis's training very strictly and my wife is super on board about it.

I guess I can't decide which dog because of sports, to be honest. On one hand, a Malinois can do all sports fairly well and has all the ring sports which they can excel. On the other, Border Collies are untouchable in agility and flyball, but I wouldn't dare do bite sports.

It's just a personal decision I have to make I guess. I still would love your opinions though. Speak up users! Please?

I have never owned a Malinois, although, it is my dream dog - maybe someday.
I adore my Border Collie and my Border cross. Don't forget that BCs can be somewhat obsessive, although, my female is fairly 'normal,' at least when she's with me. Rain does have a touch of noise sensitivity, but my male BC/Kelpie cross is very bold and assertive. If you choose a Border, be careful about choosing a breeder that is breeding for a sound dog. I have heard of all sorts of nightmarish compulsive behavior with BCs. I guess I got lucky with mine even if she is just a tad bit weird. :-)

Just curious, Spencer, but why would you try everything but herding when it would be a natural fit for a dog of either of these breeds?

I've never had the pleasure of spending time with a Malinois, but know many BCs. They can be quirky. Obsessive. Weird. Sweet. Often they're smarter than their owners.

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

Obsessive. Weird. Sweet. Often they're smarter than their owners.

Hey! I resemble that remark. lol

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

many BCs. They can be quirky. Obsessive. Weird. Sweet. Often they're smarter than their owners.

Well my BC cross (that's him right below) is quirky yes. but in a good way.
Obsessive yes: he will do ANYTHING for the ball. i could have him out for an hour and a half hiking, he'll come home plunk himself down on the floor with his tongue hangin to the floor but the second i mistakingly step on his squeaky ball toy he's up.He is a rescue and has a bit of OCD regrading lights and shadows which i have learned how to control, but it is always there. He won't attack the lights and shadows outside like he used to, but he still can't help but stare at them. Even if i tell him to look at me, he will...but you can see in his eyes that its hard for him to tear himself away from the moving shadow.
Weird, well i wouldn't say weird, but he's defiantely comical!
Samrter than me...in some things yes.
But properly trained and exercised they are a great companion.
Lacking in either area will leave you with a hard to handle dog that will try your patience left right and centre.

It's very difficult to watch a BC that you know isn't in the right home. They're so obviously unhappy.

I truly admire those that can harness Border Collie power and energy.

Donald McCaig describes the BC mind the best, imho.

Hi, I have always wondered what kind of dog that was. It looks like a German shepherd but with black and white markings. Looks so beautiful.



When I was living in the US , I used to walk my neigbour's border collie, Tucker. He IS my favourite dog in the whole world.(yes more than my own dogs). He was such a gentle soul who was couped up in an apartment. I could not bear to see him stare and whine at me every time I used to jump rope in my lawn. Finally I mustered up the courage to ask my neighbour if I could walk him everyday.( they were an older couple who had moved from the country and they had a middle aged son who was drunk most of the time. Since I am not an american , I was a bit afraid to ask at first ).

I was surprised when they let me walk him. I used to walk him for about 4 miles every day, and I used to train him as I walked him( sit stay , down , jump etc ) . I really miss him and some times out of the blue I wonder how tucker is doing. He was my buddy for almost 3 years . He used to litrally jump into my arms making weird whining noises when I said it was time to go for a walk.

Then an other neighbour saw me take tucker for a walk and asked me if I could take their GSD cross puppy for a walk too. So I used to take 2 dogs and train them both ( with what I knew then ) . When I made Tucker do a down stay and trained the GSD, tucker used to stare and whine as if it was a punishment to him that I am not training him.

If I had a 10 acre property and a bunch of sheep to herd, I would get a BC. I think it is cruel to have a BC if one cannot give it things to do. They seem so neurotic and obsessive but it a very charming way. I have no idea about the Malainois, but a BC , I would not get unless I had the space and the time.