Randy I have to admit I was very in the middle to start, now I feel definitely on the side of Mali's. I will be able to do anything with one, so yeah, I'm pretty much sold. I appreciate everyone helping me. Now I have to convince the wife lol!

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

What's that pup in your signature? He looks like he could do about anything....

He's a Boxer/Chihuahua. I don't know how big he will be is part of the problem. He's my little boy! Climbing up on six months and hes only about 24lbs. I'm going to do lots of sports with him but I just don't know what he will be capable of! Bite sports are out for sure but who knows. It's going to be exciting.

More people seem to admire a Mal from a distance!

 Quote: Tammy Moore

More people seem to admire a Mal from a distance!

Noted! They are gorgeous creatures but are entirely threatening. Which is a good thing for my wife!

I've thought about getting a BC, and after spending a day with one, I decided against it. The dog was completely OCD, barked constantly, and never stopped moving. Perhaps he was an extreme version of the BC, but I honestly didn't think I could keep up to him.

I currently have 2 Mals. Sisters. Toni and Cat. They are, to me, the perfect dog. They are tremendously protective (when Paul is on nights I know I am safe). They are extremely intelligent (they outsmart me on most days). They are very sensitive (require very little correction, and they read me like a book). Their level of loyalty is astronomical. They are active, but not insanely so.. they will stop and settle when I tell them to.

Malinois are not, however, for everyone. They require tons of supervision and exercise. They need a job to do, and thrive on activity. They also require very strict pack structure, or they will take over the whole house. They are suspicious by nature, and require more socialization than most other dogs.

Deciding which breed to get is a difficult one. Exposure to different individuals of each breed will help you pick out the traits that you really like, and the ones you don't.

When you decide which breed to go with, find a reputable breeder, and take a trainer with experience with the breed of choice along to help pick/ evaluate a potential pup. Pups within a litter can have highly varying personalities so having someone who can properly evaluate a pup would be real asset.

Good luck, Spencer. And good thinking to ask questions now and not waiting until it's too late.

--Kelly

Oh, and if you haven't read this, you might want to. I wrote it some time ago with traits of both the Mals. Enjoy. A Day in the Life of a Malinois

 Quote: spencer martin

 Quote: tammy moore

More people seem to admire a Mal from a distance!

Noted! They are gorgeous creatures but are entirely threatening. Which is a good thing for my wife!

I don't own either of your choices, but I'll say this. My dog has a pretty high level of territorial aggression and I feel secure knowing that he's with my wife when I'm not. Any dog can bite but, how many would-be assailants are going to be deterred by a breed known to be mostly bark compared to a "cop dog"? Just my opinion.

I know little about the mind of a person attempting to break into a house, but always thought the deterrent is the sound of the barking. If they aren't detered by the sound of the bark, likely they have plans to dispose of the dog?
(sorry about side tracking of the orginal question of the thread)

 Quote: kelly at leerburg

Oh, and if you haven't read this, you might want to. I wrote it some time ago with traits of both the Mals. Enjoy. A Day in the Life of a Malinois

And you think a BC is nuts?!?

RE: Border Collies. Well bred, well trained BCs with a job are very pleasant to live with. They make very good pets for an active lifestyle (a person who loves to train and spend time with their dog). Dogs that are taught an "off switch" are really good at chilling out when they need to. Mine are not OCD, though I suppose they could be if I had let them early on. It's mostly a training issue. The 18 m/o is still a bit of a crazy spaz, but it's improving as she matures She has learned not to jump on the bed until I wake up in the morning - lol!

They can be protective, they can be sweet and mellow, it all depends on the dog. My 11 y/o has a very commanding presence and bark to her. My 18 m/o thinks everyone should love her. My 11 and 5 y/o dogs are very loving toward people they know but aloof with people they don't know.

You could train a well bred BC to do just about anything, IMO. But smart dogs require dedicated trainers (which is the same for both breeds). You make a mistake in your training and a smart dog is going to learn it faster the wrong way...

I really think before deciding on a breed, you should spend a good deal of time around both breeds to see which one really clicks with you. Volunteering with rescue is a great way to find out about the breeds - I know a couple people from another message board who are active with AZBCR - it's a great organization.

IMO, a person who is set to mess with a dog won't worry too much about the breed. And a person who doesn't want to mess with a dog will avoid most dogs.

You could get a larger smooth prick eared BC for the same effect

And don't hit baseballs for your dog which ever breed you get - they knock teeth out Orange rubber chuckit balls are a much better choice!

 Quote: aimee pochron

I know little about the mind of a person attempting to break into a house, but always thought the deterrent is the sound of the barking. If they aren't detered by the sound of the bark, likely they have plans to dispose of the dog?
(sorry about side tracking of the orginal question of the thread)

I know a fair bit about the criminal mindset, too. It's the threat presented. A barking dog is a potential threat and obvious alarm but, fairly easily avoided. There are a few episodes of It Takes A Thief that show that. A dog that genuinely looks like it wants to eat your face off, on the other hand, is an almost certain threat that only someone looking to do you harm will want to mess with.