I want my next patrol dog to be a mal But just think for the same money you can get a dog with a brain! Just kidding No flames please.

My last handler felt like he just had to have a malinois and I must confess we got him a good one. I'd take him home with me in a second. As it pertains to police service work there isn't much not to like. He has presented some challenges to me as it relates to teaching narcotic detection but I believe those issues are mine. Of course I remind the handler that if he had chosen a german shepherd he'd be getting it (stimulus, response, reward) by now.

As far as a german shepherd mal cross that of course is a dog with half a brain.

I have worked with several Malis and am now the owner of one. Dobies are still #1 in my heart but the Mali runs a close second! They are wonderful dogs! They will give you a 110% of what you ask and an additional 50!I have found that they require a firm hand though. Otherwise, all hell breaks loose!They have the agility of a cat and absolutely LOVE water! They don't have many health issues either. I'm going to make a blod statement here (in a forum thats mostly GSD owners <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) and say that I love them more than than the shepard! Guys, please don't bash me for that comment! LOL!! I think that you would be very happy owning one of these guys!

This might seem pretty superficial, but I just don't like how they look. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

They're too snipey and fine boned for me, I like a more rugged, sturdy dog (absolutely love big, blocky heads).

Now, with that said, the ones I've seen in my area are on the whole pretty nice dogs (with a few exceptions), very good at what they do. Two in particular are very impressive. But I'll stick with my GSDs and let everyone else have the little Malis. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Since I work such a high drive GSD, honestly, I don't see that much difference if you compare a top end GSD against a top end Mal. My GSD even does the teeth chattering in drive.
I just need a lighter hand when the Mal is on the end of the leash. Of course, he's still a baby and might turn out to be a bone headed brute like Fetz if he survives to adulthood.

I actually had a european SchH judge use my GSD as an example when he told my old SchH club that Mal's were likely bred in secret to some GSD's in Europe to improve drive. The GSDCA/ showlines people in the club are were shaking their heads in agreement ( Of course....all their dogs worked like crap <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Good malinois vs. good GSD (this means good working lines). Well, I can stand to look at my GSD for extended periods of time and don't have to say beauty is as beauty does evertime I go out in public with my GSD.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Kevin Sheldahl:
Good malinois vs. good GSD (this means good working lines). Well, I can stand to look at my GSD for extended periods of time and don't have to say beauty is as beauty does evertime I go out in public with my GSD.

I have always said if you want an ugly working dog, why not go all out and get a really ugly one.. a Dutchie!! (and I say that with all the fondness I can muster, I really do like them a LOT) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I like the way they look! Matter of fact that is what first attracted me to the breed. They just have a "blue collar, don't mind gettin down and dirty" look about them. Plus they don't have all that hair flyin everywhere.

I think both of mine are beautiful!

I haven't owned a Mal, but my trainer has several and many of the people in my FrenchRing club own them. My experience with them is that, much like GSD's, they come in many different varieties. The ones that I've trained with tend to be very high drive dogs that have a big urge to bite and work at a young age - developing a bit faster than my GSD. The handler sensitive part is probably accurate - at least for ones imported from France. My trainer claims that handler sensitivity is more the norm there. I don't think that is the case with ones from other countries (KNPV Mali's, I suspect are a bit harder).

YOu can also see a lot of variation in size/color across the different lines. Because of the handler sensitivity and the high drive, I probably wouldn't recommend one to a first time owner (as Ed says in one of his videos - it can be like giving a 16 year old a Porsche for his first car!) . I have seen at least one ruined because of heavy handed early training.

One thing that is nice about them is that they develop so quickly that you pretty much know what you get - they bite or they don't. Another thing is that the French Ring trainers tend to give the Mali's a LOT of bites during their training sessions. I know some Sch clubs don't give nearly as many bites. My GSD has developed well with getting a lot of work and a lot of bites, but not all GSD's appear to be that way. Similarly, I don't know if all Mali's would respond well to training where they only took a few bites per session.

Sorry, I know this is rambling, but like GSD's, I've seen a lot of different bite quality - the good ones can have a big, deep, calm bites that look like the good GSD's, but there are many with more shallow, hectic bites. Again, this is going to also depend on how good/poor the early bite development was.

Finally, these are ATHLETIC dogs - you only have to see one go over a 8 foot palisade wall to realize how active and athletic they are!

I happen to like the Mali's a lot and would think about getting one if I didn't already have my GSD limit right now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I suppose you guys that like how Mali's look also are typing that into a mac <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Mannnnnn......That's just WRONG, Kevin :rolleyes:


Happy and SAFE MAL Training,
Scott