I am interested in finding out if Belgian Sheepdog
specifically Malinois are still used as sheepdogs.
I realize that most of the Malinois now seem to be bred for sport - would these dogs be a little to drivey for sheperding work? I have to get some sheep and goats next year. Rounding up sheep with the huskies would probably be a one time thing and I would prefer to get the right dog for the job.
I did quite a bit of herding with my malinois when she was younger.. not border collie herding, but the tending (german shepherd) style of herding. She was very natural at it and loved it. There is a Belgian Terv in our area that does border collie herding.. which is more gathering and driving.. it also does quite well. I think you will need to carefully pick your dog though.
I'm currently herding with my Malinois female, who is also an FRI working towards the III. And I'm working one of her son's, from the most driven FRIII male I've seen, in herding in addition to Ring. Actually out of his litter 3 of them are doing herding in addition to protection sports. I have in the past done herding with my FRIII male, a very high drive Brevet dog (now doing Sch), etc. I think most of the Malinois that you see herding are more from the show/performance lines, but I don't believe it's because the working (protection sport) lines can't do it, but because the show/performance owners are more interested in it. My dogs weren't any more inclined to bite the sheep when first introduced than any other dog, and on the up side if they did grip they know what "out" means :-)
Originally posted by Brad Gargis: Is this opinion on the working lines because of the incredible prey drive? Which opinion are you refering to? I included the dogs drive level because the original poster was asking if the Malinois might be to drivey to do herding. IMO it's not an issue of drive levels as much as biddability and natural stock sense.
Sorry not to have clarified that. I meant that was it people's perspective that they don't commonly do as well because of the prey drive. As I can see from your first post, in your opinion that's false.
So I guess you answered my question the first time. Again I apologize for not reading it thoroughly enough. lol
I don't think it's a problem, but I do think it's a common misconception people have. They generally assume a dog who does bitework is going to be more inclined to "lunch" a sheep than a dog without bitework. IMO it depends on the individual dog.
I would like to echo what Kadi has to say. I have taken my Malinois to herding and while most of the dogs that I see there, tend to be more confirmation dogs, my "show" dog does not do as well at herding as my French Ringsport dogs do. The extra drives from my competition sport dogs fare them better in the herding arena, then my one "show" girl. Maybe she just happens to have lower drives, and that is why she doesn't do well in any of the sports, but while she does good at herding, she is nothing compared to my Ringsport dogs.
If you are interested in Malinois for herding, I would say go for it. I own 8 Malinois and have 6 of them residing with me . I have found that there is not much that they cannot do, and they seem to do almost everything well. All things considered, if/when you do get a Malinois, make sure that you find one that has good breeding and a stable temperament. With a nice solid stable Malinois, you should have fun and accomplish most anything you desire.
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and I would prefer to get the right dog for the job.
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