Sarah Mandler Webboard User Reg: 02-26-2007
Posts: 148
Loc: South Dakota
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Quote: Konnie Hein
Quote: Sarah Mandler
Ha ha, no kidding Konnie! I thought I was prepared for the Mal puppy experience, but even now that she's 5 months old I still occasionally wonder what the heck I was thinking?? It definitely takes a certain kind of person to raise a Malinois, and it is not the kind of dog I personally would choose to have around the house as a pet.
I know a local trainer who competes with her GSD at a national level. She's a professional trainer, and was just at the AWDF trial. Needless to say, she's very experienced in the working dog world. High drive dogs are nothing new to her, she's worked with GSD's, Mals, DS's, and many other breeds.
Recently she added a Mal pup to her own crew. It's interesting to hear her talk about the GIANT difference between a quality, working line GSD (and she has one of the best!) and a quality Mal. They are WORLDS apart.
I think it's fascinating, that a trainer of her caliber has been thrown for a loop by a little fawn pup.
Just something to keep in the back of your mind. I know you've done research into GSD's, and have owned Pointers. I personally own a crazy EP, and a equally crazy Dutch Shepherd (close to a Malinois in personality/drives) Our EP is NOTHING to live with compared to the Dutch. To compare the two of them is like comparing Burger King, and a 5 star restaurant. Both are fantastic dogs, and great at what they do- but they are just worlds apart.
Reg: 12-12-2010
Posts: 248
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
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Best of luck John and welcome to the forum -you've landed in a wonderland of dog information with completely experienced Malinois and GSD owners...I am of no value to you.
BUT if you'll permit me to ask a question your thread raises -my trainer just sent off his last baby. He interviews prospective owners extensively and helps match their goals up with pups based on temperment tests, etc...however he does not sell to inexperienced or "pet" homes at all...
Is this the experience of others here?
That is a quality I value in a breeder. If they are willing to give just anyone a pup, it's probably not the quality of dog I'm interested in. I bet the breeders that extensively interview prospective homes will also take a home bred dog back, unconditionally.
I'm not saying a breeder that sells to pet homes is a crappy breeder. If I were in the market for a pet pup, I'd still try to find a breeder that was picky about where the pups are placed- it just shows (to me) that they really care about the animals they are creating... now, and long term well being of the puppy they bred are important to them.
Feeding raw. Can I Just buy hamburger and steak? Sirloin is pretty cheap in my area.
If I do switch over I'm guessing it will take the pup a bit to get used to it. My other dogs when I switched food it seemed like it too a while. Any food idea's for a 4 month old mal are helpful
AH! SO SO many questions:
Since I've never been to a breeder before. What should I ask while there. Is there a list of specific things I should ask them before buying dog?
If you can think of any post them as I will print them out and take them with me. Please be a breeder if your going to post on this subject.
After potty training and the dog matures where I feel I trust him is putting a dog door in the house a bad idea?
Feeding raw. Can I Just buy hamburger and steak? Sirloin is pretty cheap in my area.
If I do switch over I'm guessing it will take the pup a bit to get used to it. My other dogs when I switched food it seemed like it too a while. Any food idea's for a 4 month old mal are helpful
Leerburg is a treasure-trove of information on feeding raw. There are many very experienced people here who will be answering your questions on that subject. I'm not one of them -- I'm hoping to start feeding raw but still trying to work the logistics out, but even I know the short answer to your question is no, you can't just feed him raw beef.
To get you started, go to some of the other areas of the forum. On the main forum page, scroll down until you see "Puppy Corner" and "Health Issues." You will find sub-topics there. Click on the titles that seem interesting and you will find you have hours of reading ahead of you!
You are going to be feeding mostly chicken if you do raw, beef won't even enter the diet probably until the 4th week. Its really not too complicated, in fact to me it is easier than kibble.
Leerburg has some good information on feeding raw. I personally used the quickstart guide on preymodelraw.com.
Also, eating raw meat makes your dog look like a BAMF
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Re: 5 week malinois this weekend. Need Advice
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It definitely takes a certain kind of person to raise a Malinois, and it is not the kind of dog I personally would choose to have around the house as a pet. 
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