Living with a Malinois
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/lzaichenko/Dogs/DSCF0605.jpg

I almost forgot this vid... Bless Sophie's tolerant heart.
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/lzaichenko/Dogs/?action=view&current=DSCF0081.flv

Craig - I used to think when knowledgeable people recommended that first time owners/handlers steer clear of certain breeds it was something intended for everyone else but me. I thought I could handle ANYTHING.

After owning working bloodline GSD's and Rotts for many years I now have two Duthchies. They are quite similar to Mals. I considered myself experienced.

The other breeds I owned didn't prepare me for these guys. Their energy level is boundless. I swear they sleep with one eye open. The handler aggression issues are substantial and difficult at times to control. INTENSE in every way is the most accurate on word description I can think of. I don't know if they are all like mine but I do know it is not uncommon.

They are great dogs. I love having them. I wouldn't own any other breed again. But they certainly aren't the breed for everybody.

I purchased my first Malinois in January 2008. He is the smartest dog I have ever owned. I have had Springer Spaniels before and thought they were very intelligent as well. But, I have told myself, that I will only get Malinois after this one. I love their energy level and drive. I have never had a puppy that could bite down on something and not I get it out of his mouth. Make sure one of the first things you teach a Malinois is “ouse”. Otherwise you cannot get the dog to release. And they will try to eat everything around the house including you. :-)

Malinois have to be part of the family. However, I think they prefer one master. After you take him for his daily 3 mile run (you on a bike and the Malinois trotting) you can then sit down and watch TV with him at your feet. And then, after he takes a break for 5 minutes you can get your puppy tug out and let him chase that around for 30 minutes. My Mal is 6 months old and can jump over 5 feet vertical when chasing his bumper around the backyard.

Not once, since we have brought this dog home did we think “Oh crap, we made a mistake!”. He needs lots of exercise and training. And he actually likes to do obedience training compared to my Springer who gets bored with it. You must dedicate a lot of time to this breed, but they are super-quick learners.

I wanted a Malinois because they are smaller than a GSD. And for the majority of people, the breed is not well known. If you tell someone who is not dog-savvy that you own a Malinois and they have no clue what it is. There is no stigma associated with a Malinois like there is with a GSD.

When I wrote "stigma associated with a GSD" I meant notoriety. I am sorry if I offended any GSD owners.

 Quote: Eric Erboe

If you tell someone who is not dog-savvy that you own a Malinois and they have no clue what it is. There is no stigma associated with a Malinois like there is with a GSD.

Unless they think it is a Dingo which I get a lot btw .. <in a aussie accent>

 Quote:

Will your dingo eat my baby?

Or a coyote.

Being able to tell people "He's a mix" is something I have considered with a Mal. Thats because stigma and Rottweiler go hand in hand.

 Quote: >>>>

Will your dingo eat my baby?

HAHAHAHA..they must be closely related as Dingo's eat the weak.....

 Quote: steve strom

Being able to tell people "He's a mix" is something I have considered with a Mal. Thats because stigma and Rottweiler go hand in hand.

Lol.. absolutely.

Craig, I think you'd be very happy with a working line GSD. Stigma aside, they are great dogs and will take you to a high level of competition. They are not too hard to find either. In our club, all the Mal owners have been bit by their dogs many times over lol. I guess it's an acquired taste.