Thinking of getting a malinoi male pupp aprox 10 weeks old. Are all malls high drive or do you get your ones that are laid back and have a take it easy attitude. Wanting the pupp for schutzhund but also home protection. Have also heard that some have nerve issues.
Thankyou Paul

As with most breeds, the breeding will have a lot to do with the pup's temprament. As a general breed, Malinois are high drive and high energy, but there are always going to be exceptions to that rule. If you are wanting a schutzhund dog, you will want one that is high drive...I'm no expert but a laid back dog is not going to do as well. We were offered Vader when he was 16 weeks old and we hesitated because we had always heard a lot of negative things about Malinois. We were told they were hyper, difficult to live with, and stubborn. Due to Vader's strong working lines though (imported mother and both father and brother are police dogs) we took a chance on him. I'll be honest that he is the BEST dog we've ever owned. He's high engergy but he knows when to turn it off and when it's time to lay down and relax. He's incredible obedient and intelligent, and he's become my son's best friend. I could go on and on, but ultimately keep in mind that every dog is an individual. Once you settle on a specific breeder with good lines, have the pups evaluated for temprament. Good luck! We will probably never own another breed..we are absolutely in love with the Belgians.

Thankyou for that info

In the past I have had rottweilers and it's time for a change.
I like to exercise and like to compete in different dog obedience sports so I think the malinois is the way to go.

I turned away from a Malinois because I wanted a high energy dog, but I didn't want THAT high energy (Malinois are said to act first, then think; GSDs being the opposite, and yes I realize that's a generalization). Vader is a great dog. I've only met one Malinois that had an off switch. The rest were on all the time. But that's not a bad thing.

You read so much about how much energy Mals are and how much work they are, but I know many people who live with them in the house. They all do fine. It's just up to you to be able to channel the energy.

thanks very much

They are supposed to be high drive. In my experience they do have an off switch - some just take more work to teach them to access it. You get out of them what you put into them. You need to know that they require investment of time and training from you. They are designed to see the world through "their person" and are very eager to please you. Learn about communicating (training) with dogs. Choose a good breeder to avoid the nervy potential and socialize them.
My experience is much like Olivia described. They are a wonder and I will never own anything else. The bond is incredible.
Good luck!

I've found that as long as we keep Vader's mind busy, he is easy to live with. We had a doberman who was incredibly hyper and had NO off switch. She was impossible to live with and very difficult to get along with. Ultimately we found her a better home who could let her run free outdoors for hours. Vader is the perfect balance imo. He is high drive and very energetic when we want him to be, but as soon as he observes us calming down, he has no problem turning it off and settling down as well. His desire to please is unlike any dog I've ever known and he is incredibly perceptive. He knows what we are going to do and where we are going at all times. If he sees the kids getting dressed, he knows we are going somewhere and gets excited. If he sees my husband putting his uniform on, he knows he's about to leave for work and waits by the door to be taken out. It's truly amazing....if you are lucky enough to find a good example of this breed, go for it! It was the best decision we ever made!

 Quote: Olivia Brown

He is high drive and very energetic when we want him to be, but as soon as he observes us calming down, he has no problem turning it off and settling down as well.

My experience echoes Olivia's. Roger (my 6-month-old Malinois) will eat up a 3-hour trek through the forest, chew on his tugs and my hands/face for hours, but if you put him in the crate you won't hear a peep out of him for...hours!

He was getting nearly unmanageable for a bit there...and then my box of toys and tugs from Leerburg arrived, and it was enough to calm him down for good.

If you want a dog for sport, I hear that you can really do no better. Not that I have any experience w/that.

Thanks for everyones comments

Id love to have a malinoi but i think im gonna stick with my original plan and go with a high energy, high drive GSD first. No need to go straight for the ferrari when im not sure i can drive the audi yet. lol