Actually Lauren I have thought about a GSD but decided against it. They are wonderful dogs but they are a little bigger, typically, than what I want. Also, their coats are much more difficult to maintain than a Malinois.

Another reason is I'm a little partial to a more square frame. That seems to make Mali's more versatile amongst all the sports. I know BC's have a longer body but they are closer to the ground which makes up for it.

No one destroy me for this comment, I know there are a lot of loyal GSD owners out there, and frankly I'm scared

Spencer! How dare you!

Blasphemy!

heh.

JK

There are some lines that are a little more compact and agile, Tasha is from West German and Czech lines, and she is not a massive dog. She is powerful and compact. She weighs about 75 pounds now, but looks and moves like 65. When she's wet she looks tiny and skinny!

My nickname for her is Coyote, just to give you an idea of her build.

But I understand what you are saying. My father originally suggested a GSD to me and I was opposed untill I really started looking into it. I looked at dogs and researched breeds for almost a year before I decided.

I was just curious what you thought. I was originally opposed because all the GSDs I had ever known were nerve bag, aggressive, physically sick, back yard bred American line dogs. My dad had a different idea because of the K9's at work. I'm glad I listened to him.

The only thing that would make me steer someone away from one is because the working lines can be a handful. I'm sure that many folks on here with more experience than me may not feel that way, but for me (who has some experience but not a ton) raising this pup has sometimes been a wild ride!

She is never truly tired and always a little bored. Give her an inch and she takes a mile; But she is also been the best thing that has ever happened to me. She has brought a new sense of discipline to my life and so much joy that I wouldn't have it any different.

The shedding is definitely a factor. No matter what you feed, how much you furminate or how often you vaccuum, there is always more hair somewhere.

Ah, he's really just a happy go lucky puppy Anne.

 Quote: randy allen

Ah, he's really just a happy go lucky puppy Anne.

And a handsome boy too!

Randy he sure is a stunning looking dog! I love all black GSD's.

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

Randy he sure is a stunning looking dog! I love all black GSD's.

No doubt about that. Something tells me that nobody messes with the handler when that dog is on the other end of the leash.

Strider is incredibly beautiful. I love his expression, and especially his ginormous ears.

Spencer, My female is 65# & is tighter coated then the average GSD. She is extremely agile & athletic with very high drive. She has done SchH, PP, plays frisbee & is capable of just about anything you would want to do with a dog. She is 6 1/2 now & had a back injury 1 year ago & is now in limited work. If she were totally healthy, she would be doing ring sports,now that there are those options in my area. She would be the perfect dog for this. My male is only 78# & is very athletic & agile. So don't rule out GSDs due to size. Different lines lend themselves to different traits, like size, color, etc.

Mals are alot more dog then most people think. Living with them can be far more of a challenge. It is also not so easy to get a really nice one that is not nervy,nerotic,OC,& with any kind of an off switch. The way one looks like on the field can be very different then living with one at home is like.

I would seriously research the lines of dogs, not just the breeds, that you are interested in long & hard, before making any decisions. Good luck.


ETA.....Randy, Strider is even more handsome in a full pic. Love his head.

I have experience with Border Collies but I am just getting to know malanois by watching them in the ringsport club I belong to.

I was given a great piece of advice from a top trainer and decoy recently with regard to Malanois and I think this goes for Border Collies too. These dogs are quite hybridized and so it can be a real crapshoot as far as picking a puppy, even a puppy from the best parents, so the advice was to buy a started dog where the temperament and drive is fairly apparent.

It's important to remember that while the two areas of work that you don't want to do (protection sports and herding) don't really call for a dog social/human social dog, many of the sports do. Also if you have kids and a busy family life, you want to be sure that your dog is one that will tolerate comings and goings. To me, while it might be worth it to keep a protection sport dog or a sheepdog carefully secure during random comings and goings, it seems like a counterproductive situation for a dog that will only be used for sport.

Thanks guys. It wasn't long after the pic he learned OGing was easier and more effective on four feet, soon after that I learned it wasn't fun anymore....ooouch!

Let's see. Mal BC Mal BC Mal BC?
No thanks I'll stick with my low energy GSD's. They switch on at the late hour of 5-5:30 am and go until only about 9:30 pm.
Can't imagine having a high energy BC or a Maladjustednut.