Hey i am 15 years old and serious about purchasing a shepherd i have done such research and i just cant limit my search to either a GSD or a Belgian Malinois. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions; when it comes to the two what would be different about raising the them? I would like a dog primarily for companionship and personal protection (when needed). thanks.

German Shepherd Dog, without question.

Shame on VC :rolleyes: . "WORKING" German Shepherd! OOPS! Your right! That's the only kind there is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well, you have to decide which do you really want companionship, or personal protection, companionship would definatly be the GSD, The Malinois is Personal protection material, or if you really want both, then everyone knows it's the Malinois hands down. Trust me "I'm not being biased <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> " I swear to it, I'm not! LOL
However, everyone's research will be different, because they will want to absorb what they want, but "MY" research is and from watching some top quality GSD from the biggest name breeders in this country <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> , and imported from Czech border lines, and every other variation of bloodline that is suppose to be the best, and the outcome has been that the nicely bred Malinois from a good kennel right here in the US has out performed them. I know I'm going to catch a world of steam for this one, especially on here, but hey it's my opinion, and mine only, and that seems to be what your looking for, opinions, and what people think of the two. To me GSD if you search hard enough, can do the work, but the malinois does it with much more intensity. OMG, I said that out loud, damn, I'm really going to get it now. I'll tell you this though, your asking this question on a predominatly GSD board. Although, obviously other dog faciers use this board, for thoughts of the Malinois, you might want to visit Malinois handler discussion baord. EVERYONE PLEASE BE GENTLE!! lol

Sorry Chris, but you can keep those red dogs.

Hands down, Working GSD, none better. You'll have a dog that will be a good companion, will have an on/off switch, and you'll be able to live with it in the house.

Just do your research, find a good breeder, and hope for the best.

Hey Mike,
I have a friend who is big into Schutzhund, and loves his GSD, I'm into Belgian Ring, but he and I obviously have a little friendly rivelry about the dogs, and he always says when I want a wacked out, starved looking GS I'll check you out!LOL Everyone have a Happy Holiday season!!

Ben,

My advice is for you to get a GSD. Yes I am a Malinois breeder; but having had experience with both breeds...I feel due to your age and inexperience, the GSD would be a more logical selection. The Malinois typically 'needs something to do all the time'. Most aren't content to simply lie around and be companions. They need, work, structure, etc...They are also extremely intense and are NOT very 'forgiving'. They are also much more reactive than a GSD. Experience can prepare a person for a Malinois.

If you still decide on a Mal; then I would advise that some sort of network support system is at your disposal...people who have the experience and can guide you in raising and training this breed. The Malinois also is not as tolerant as a GSD. The Malinois can be an 'extreme' and great depending on what you want to do with it. But in your case, companionship would be primary and possibly PP (if needed). It's just not enough for this breed. I would recommend a GSD.

I've also known some people who bought their first dog--a GSD--and after 5 or 6 years or after that dog was gone; then purchased a Malinois, and some said that the GSD did prepare them through training to a certain extent for a Malinois...But when it comes right down to it...You just couldn't compare the two. Different breeds, different temperaments, way different energy levels, the reactivity was the biggest....as quick as the Mal is to learn everything 'good'; they're just as quick to learn everything 'bad' or every mistake that's been made on them--many will also retain it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I don't know how many times I've heard that some club member got a Mal and even though these individuals were adults with dog training experience; the dog was just 'too much' for them.

It a huge committment (for both breeds) Ben...but many aren't prepared for time and dedication it takes to raise and train a Mal.

Good Luck in your search and selections! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Again, consider a GSD. It should be no problem finding one that will fit into your current plans.

Hi Ben,

I've never owned a GSD so cannot comment on them. As a kid we had a Lab mix and later a Border Collie/Husky cross. My current dogs include another Border Collie/Husky cross and a Malinois.

I thought the Border Collie/Husky crosses require a job. They are nothing in comparison to the Malinois. If my Malinois does not get enough to do, she steals things around the house and shreds them. On Monday it was -48 degrees Celcius with the windchill here. I still had to take her out and do something with her. She is in training for SAR and in those temps, I could not ask someone to hide for her to find. Instead, we went for a 50 minute skijoring session (she pulls me on my cross country skis). By the time we got back to the car, I was darn near frozen despite going in the woods where the wind wasn't as bad. She still wanted to do more. She slept for about a half hour when we got home and then was pestering me again. But at least she was under control.

She is 28 months old and I still cannot leave her loose in the house. If I am not able to keep an eye on her, she goes outside in her run or I put her in her crate in the house.

I have to agree with Brigita and would not recommend this breed for a novice to the dog world.

Natalie
http://alikamalinois.tripod.com

In the last 12 years now being around different working dogs for personal protection, mostly imported working line GSDs and Mals I can honestly say I've seen as many nice GSDs as I've seen Mals. I've owned both and right now I have only GSDs. I sold my MalX and my last two Mals because they weren't as good as the GSDs I have for personal protection.

Mals are quicker, usually higher energy, but when it comes down to the one factor that is most important. . .the ability to engage and fight a violent bad guy they don't excel over the GSD. Inexperienced people will often mistake energy for intensity, quickness for higher drive, and will rarely see the real ability of a work dog beyond that.

The one benefit that the Mal does have is price. You'll pay less for a decent Mal than you will for a decent GSD. For me though, I'll pay more for a GSD that I'll LIKE to work with than a Mal that I will work with.

Both breeds produce nice working animals, but Malinois are pinheads. They are annoying as hell to be around, period.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Do you want to compete in a dog sport, or are you going to a private trainer?? I suggest that you find people to train with first. If you chose to do schutzhund get a shepherd if you do ring sport get a mal. I started with rotts when I was 14 in schutzhund. If you want it so bad that you can't sleep acouple days before club training day like me, then get what you want, you'll make mistakes and get in trouble like I did but so what at least your not out on the street getting in trouble!