I don't get the attraction to a dog like this for the average joe. I respect them, think they're amazing and really am in awe of the people who raise and train working dogs, but I would not even consider it possible with my lifestyle. Even though my free time already pretty much revolves around dogs, (much to my husbands despair), this is beyond my reach...and I'm ok with that!

Two hours a day? Really? I always assumed it was more of a time commitment. My dog gets that much on and off through the day.

You CAN do it Ram!!! I want to see lots of pictures when you (Eventually) get your Dutch!

...Loyalty, Commitment, and Guts, if you dare to own a DUTCH!...

 Quote: janet dudley

I don't get the attraction to a dog like this for the average joe.

I think the average Joe see's cool videos on YouTube, articles in the newspaper, photos on the web, etc and thinks if they get a Malinois it will be "just like those dogs". They have NO idea the amount of time and training that went into it. I'm always amazed at people who I meet, who comment on how well trained my dog(s) is, and think if they go buy a Malinois it will be born acting just like my dogs. I wish LOL

There is also just the "cool factor". The fact that Malinois look like GSD mixes has protected them for a LONG time from becoming the new "flavor of the month" cool dog, but it couldn't last forever. Not with all the media coverage, but also the executive protection dog business. Before people looked at them as having "funky mutt/coyote dog" status, even if they knew what breed it. No point in buying a dog as a status symbol, if when you walk it down the street nobody knows what it is. Now the rich and famous have them, they are on the news, etc and people do know what they are when they walk down the street. So now they are "worthy" of being a status symbol :-(

I think if you asked most people what attributes they wanted in a dog then told them what breeds fit those attributes you would find very often that the breed they had in mind isn't even on the list.

It is just like when my mom wanted a new car. She often drives long distances, has to get groceries and has 2 kids and a husband to drive around with. She wanted a Chrysler Crossfire. Nevermind that it didn't have any cargo space, no backseats or even a spare tire. She just HAD TO HAVE IT. Luckily my dad was able to talk her out of it.

Yes, Kadi...the cool factor....

Wanting to own a malinoios is kind of like lusting to own a Ferrari....but not even knowing how to drive a car let alone a 6 geared, standared trasmissioned, high performance one!


ETA...Michael & I were posting at the same time..with the same thought process.

"So you think you want a Belgian Malinois?"

Nope...I am a realist...will take my moderate energy WL GSDs. They are enough work (love every moment of it).

Am curious if we will see a surge in Mal owners since the dog who accompanied the Navy Seals on their bin Laden raid has been identified as being a Mal...I hope not.

yep, think Eddie on Frasier and 101 Dalmatians.......

Sad.

 Quote: Betty Waldron

yep, think Eddie on Frasier and 101 Dalmatians.......

Sad.

Exactly.

I thought it was Kick Ass that K9 Cairo a Malinois was the first member of the Seal Team Six that ObL set eyes on. Wish the dog could have taken a chunk out of the bastard too, not just his wife.

Malinois are very serious dogs. They take tons of energy and patience to live with them, but they are very much worth it. Unfortunately, people don't look at the breed traits when they get a pup.. they think it's cool and go for it. I think we've seen a testiment to that with Mr. Logan's recent threads about the troubles with his Mal pup Gambit. He went to see the pup at the kennel and took him home. I personally am wondering what he saw in the few minutes at the kennel that made him think he could live with a Malinois.

I made this up many moons ago, but it still holds true. A Day In The Life Of A Malinois

 Quote: Michael Bennett

I think if you asked most people what attributes they wanted in a dog then told them what breeds fit those attributes you would find very often that the breed they had in mind isn't even on the list.

I can never believe how many people get huskies or dalmatians based entirely on the look. It's absolutely nuts! Neither are dogs that usually fit these kind of people.

My sister got a beautiful young husky that she ended up giving away after it ate through her drywall in her apartment (no exercise + energetic husky =???). She had no business owning a dog like that =/

Edited by Michelle Vigeant (05/19/2011 10:36 PM)
Edit reason: autocorrect messed a word up