HI.......I AM A CURRENT POICE DOG HANDLER. MY DOG IS ABOUT TO RETIRE AND I AM LOOKING FOR A NEW DOG ( GENERAL PURPOSE ). OUR DOG UNIT HAVE ALWAYS USED GERMAN SHEPHERDS, BUT WE HAVE JUST HAD NEW TRAINING STAFF WHO WANT TO EXPERIMENT WITH OTHER BREEDS. I HAVE HEARD ALOT ABOUT MALINOIS AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION. I RECENTLY VISITED THE LOCAL ARMY DOG UNIT WHO SHOWED ME THERE MALINOIS. ON FIRST IMPRESSION I WAS NOT IMPRESSED. THE DOG SEEMED SMALL AND I FELT THAT I WOULD BE RIDICULED IF I WAS SEEN ON THE STREET WITH SUCH A DOG. HOWEVER ON TALKING TO THE TRAINER HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST DOG THERE UNIT HAD EVER WORKED WITH, STATING THAT IT HIT HARDER AND BIT HARDER THAN ANY OTHER DOG, AND THAT ITS OBEDIANCE WAS FIRST CLASS.I WILL BE GOING TO SEE THIS DOG WORK IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BEFORE I DO I WOULD LIKE MEMBERS ADVICE AND EXPERIENCES WITH MALINIOS, AND SPECIFICALLY VIEWS SIZE VARIATIONS, SIUTABILITY TO G.P DOG, SUITABILITY FOR TRACKING AND SEARCHING, DO THEY HAVE ENOUGH PHYSICAL PRESENCE FOR PUBLIC ORDER WORK. AS YOU CAN TELL I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE BREED, I WOULD APPRECEATE ANY ADVICE GIVEN. THANKS.

I always thought GSD's were all there was when it comes to PSD's. A few years back, however, I was introduced to a K9 unit from the city I live in. This dog was a female Malinois (seemed odd, and I couldn't pronounce the breed), and only 55 pounds (also odd). I thought it was funny that such a little dog would be a PSD. I thought that until I saw her in action. She was very energetic, agile, and amazing, not to mention great around my daughter! I had a chance to take a bite from her and again, amazing. She bit extremely hard! Nearly knocked me off my feet.

Shortly after that I was introduced to my wife's uncle who is a K9 deputy. He also had a Malinois. I have gotten to know him very well since then, as well as his K9. Over the past couple of years I have fell in love with the breed, their abilities, their energy, their willingness to serve, and so much more. I was so intrigued by these dogs, that I had to have one for myself. In March of 2002 I purchased a Malinois, and have been fascinated ever since.

The breed is a high energy breed. I am still somewhat inexperienced when it comes to handling the dog, so every day can be a challenge as I am learning. The dogs are HIGH energy, often referred to as a little nutty because of the energy. The biting ability is phenominal. A local K9 officer stated the Malinois (depending on the individual dog) often has more PSI in their bite than a Pit Bull. Trust me, from experience (in a bite suit) these dogs bite very hard, and hold the bite solid! My dog will hold the bite even when off the ground a couple of feet. She holds on for the ride.

The size of the dog is comparable to a GSD in most cases, from what I have seen. Males typically 75 lbs and up, usually closer to 90 lbs, with the females being significantly smaller in most instances, around 60 lbs and up. My female is actually nice sized, around 75 lbs. The females also have a very distinct look compared to the males (kind of curvy).

I feel if the dog is trained properly that it should not have any problems in your areas of concern. Some Malinois' are a little too energetic, some too docile, but this is true with any breed. The dogs are very loyal once bonded with the handler. The dogs are very eager to please, and are eager to be rewarded for a job well done.

The Malinois can track with the best of them, and can apprehend without question (when properly trained of course). The dogs are very protective of the handler, which in most instances is good, but presents some risk when left unattended out of the kennel. Why they would be unattended is a completely different topic however. The Malinois demands respect, just by the way they carry themselves. Public order should not be an issue with the dog.

As you can see I am PRO MALINOIS! Some feel the Malinois is too moody, too wirey, or even too dangerous for police work. It is my humble opinion that they are just the opposite, keeping in mind I have yet to have a negative experience with one. Learn as much as you can about the breed and I would bet you will fall in love with them too. The hard work put into training with the dog will pay off in the end. Whether it be tracking, searching, apprehending, protecting, or other, you will be pleased.

I'll throw my opinion in here, not worth much though. I only do schutzhund type helper work, unfortunately. I have only taken bites from a few mals, one in particular is hard hitting. They are very strong for their size, however, I just don't see the man stopping power in them. As opposed to a GSD. And they always seem to be a little on the nervy side.
I just actually saw a female mal about 60#s, police K9 work yesterday, the officer came out to our club, and she was nice for sure.
From my understanding they can also be different to handle then a GSD. Especially for a new handler a hard GSD isn't a bad thing. Take for instance my GSD. He is one tough SOB, if I wanted to I can go crazy on him with a prong, he would be pissed off and 5 minutes later he would be my best buddy again. I am told that some mals will always remember something like this happening. So an inexperienced handler would maybe not do so well.
I don't know what my point is, I think in each case you have to evaluate the type of work needed and the type of handler and go from there.
Also mals tend to be cheaper.

I agree that a Malinois would be difficult for a new handler, I was one and I have had to learn the hard way. They are a bit nervy, but that is not neccessarily a bad thing. They hit hard, that is for sure, and despite what Mr. Juros feels, these dogs do have the stopping power you will need. You must remember these dogs bite harder than a GSD and tend to escalate in aggression when challenged in a fight, beyond what you might expect. You put those two together and the dog can stop a man when neccessary.

I don't own one. But I, personally, have always thought that the Belgian Malinois is, pound-for-pound, the most versatile breed. Yes, they are generally smaller, but the fact is, it doesn't take a big dog to take down a man. And maybe because of their versatility is why you see the Malinois excel in some of the more demanding dog sports over other breeds. I don't know, but maybe that's all the proof you need.

Hello All:

Just my $.02, I think the Malinois is a great working prospect. They are a very hearty breed and generally pretty healthy. I wouldn't worry about the dogs ability to work, if properly training they can be great police K-9 prospects. They are very agile, in the one that I had and the few that I have seen or worked, they tend to be a little sharper (generally speaking). They are a good candidate and use to be cheaper, but I don't know about that now because of the strength of the Euro $. I don't think they are a good dog for a beginner or rather novice handler, they definately will challenge you. Also, As a rule I haven't seen many of them who track very well, but this may be due to training instead of the dogs ability. They are also not very forgiving and won't tolerate unfair corrections in my opinion.

Hope this helps,
Brandon

I agree that the Malinois is an exceptional working dog. I own 2 Malinois and 2 GSDs and the difference that I notice the most is that the Mals are more reactive to any situation...stranger in the yard, animals in the woods, cars pulling in to my driveway. They are definitely a more active breed and my observations is that the nerve base is thinner than my GSDs..they are easier to light up and put into drive whether it's food/prey/defense..(we see the malinois "jaw chatter" here daily, even at dinner time, lol)

Their energy level is much higher than my GSDs and they are more "needy" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> When we aren't doing something they want to be in my lap! They are very affectionate with my family and have play/prey drive that is off the chart...their agility and athleticism is awesome...

I am speaking from my own experience with my own dogs...hope this helps.

I own two Mals that are as different as night and day. Both are female. One is very low key with low drives and weighs 68lbs. The other is still a pup and weighs 36lbs. Has high drives, loads of energy, is very quick to react and absolutely rolls the big bitch (not me, the other Mal) in the dirt. It has been a challenge for me to keep up with these girls physically and mentally. We walk and play twice a day and I have yet to wear the pup out. She gets a drink of water and is ready to go again. I have had various kinds of dogs all of my life and these have been the most fun to work with due to their intelligence, willingness to work, athletic ability, and high drives(the pup)! Believe me they are much more powerful than you think.

The GSD and BM are great working breeds. Your success will be in the testing and selection process for your replacement dog. Personally, I prefer the GSD 9but have never handled a BM), but have trained with many BM. As in both breeds you will find the good and bad - the pros and cons. Once you have made the selection - as you know now, it's in the training.

Good Luck
Mark

My pups father is only 65lbs(a mali). I would rather take him into a dark ally then most GSD's.
Cindy knows him-Ulani(nitro)- he was the sire of her pups. He is the perfect example, that the fight in the dog is most important. Whats great about malinois is , if you like a 90 pounder you get easily get it, without sacraficing abilty.
KNPV and NVBK bloodlines usually produce bigger malinois.