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Old 06-30-2015, 10:29 AM
 
1,024 posts, read 1,266,516 times
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I almost adopted one from the pound but learned that the breed is not for first timers like me. Please check your local shelters when you are ready for one. Lots of inexperienced owners surrender them because they didn't do the research and couldn't train them right. At least in my area, Belgian malinois are one of the most common breeds being surrendered.
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:55 AM
 
Location: Santa Barbara CA
5,092 posts, read 12,537,689 times
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Beautiful dogs have known some in agility and flyball but if it is a pet you are looking for I would think good and hard about it as others have said they are HIGH energy working dogs, they are also mouthy and like to have something in their mouth. Here is a little clip that shows you some of that crazy energy.




[vimeo]131493134[/vimeo]
[vimeo]131493134[/vimeo]
https://vimeo.com/131493134
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Old 06-30-2015, 11:40 AM
 
Location: CA
218 posts, read 772,318 times
Reputation: 126
A lot of good points.

I work from home and this phrase reflects my home business: "Further, with the overwhelming majority of these dogs you can't expect them to take a day off of work because it's raining outside, or a blizzard, or brimstone is falling out of the sky. They aren't going to lie on the hearth in front of a fire like a labrador retriever because you have a 103 temp and are leaking snot out of every orifice in your body. They don't care. They require structure, consistency in training and it's difficult to put into words how much physical and mental stimulation they need on a daily basis. This isn't optional"

And in doing more and more research I don't think it's fair to either one of us (me or dog) to get a Malinois.
I'm also concerned because the people in my neighbourhood let their dogs off the leash and like to get friendly - I do not. I don't like dogs meeting. And for some reason when I cross the street - they follow??? That's a whole other thread.

So I think I will just look for a rescue shepard.
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:19 PM
 
6,205 posts, read 7,422,544 times
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Each dog is an individual. Sometimes I attend dog shows and noticed the Malinois. These dogs didn't behave much differently than an average GSD. I spoke with few breeders and their dogs aren't extreme by any means. I guess there are different bloodlines within this breed as well.
There are legends about every breed. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are supposed to hunt lions and run roughly 30 miles per day. Well, none of the Ridgebacks I've seen will do that. Some owners said their dogs prefer the fireplace as their favorite place in the house.
I understand you are looking for a healthy breed, but it's a matter of luck and breeding practice. An individual dog may be different than others.
Good Luck!

Last edited by oberon_1; 06-30-2015 at 12:27 PM..
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:06 PM
 
Location: South Carolina
14,785 posts, read 23,956,596 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toopie28 View Post
A lot of good points.

I work from home and this phrase reflects my home business: "Further, with the overwhelming majority of these dogs you can't expect them to take a day off of work because it's raining outside, or a blizzard, or brimstone is falling out of the sky. They aren't going to lie on the hearth in front of a fire like a labrador retriever because you have a 103 temp and are leaking snot out of every orifice in your body. They don't care. They require structure, consistency in training and it's difficult to put into words how much physical and mental stimulation they need on a daily basis. This isn't optional"

And in doing more and more research I don't think it's fair to either one of us (me or dog) to get a Malinois.
I'm also concerned because the people in my neighbourhood let their dogs off the leash and like to get friendly - I do not. I don't like dogs meeting. And for some reason when I cross the street - they follow??? That's a whole other thread.

So I think I will just look for a rescue shepard.

whoa now no one said you should not get this breed just know and be aware of what you are getting and yes im sure there are exceptions in every breed . We all just want you to be aware of what you are getting into and to be aware is all . No one here said you should not get the dog just be aware of what can happen and what you need to do to keep this breed in general happy . Good luck whatever you decide .
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:14 PM
 
4,286 posts, read 4,711,417 times
Reputation: 9638
Quote:
Originally Posted by toopie28 View Post
A lot of good points.

I work from home and this phrase reflects my home business: "Further, with the overwhelming majority of these dogs you can't expect them to take a day off of work because it's raining outside, or a blizzard, or brimstone is falling out of the sky. They aren't going to lie on the hearth in front of a fire like a labrador retriever because you have a 103 temp and are leaking snot out of every orifice in your body. They don't care. They require structure, consistency in training and it's difficult to put into words how much physical and mental stimulation they need on a daily basis. This isn't optional"

And in doing more and more research I don't think it's fair to either one of us (me or dog) to get a Malinois.
I'm also concerned because the people in my neighbourhood let their dogs off the leash and like to get friendly - I do not. I don't like dogs meeting. And for some reason when I cross the street - they follow??? That's a whole other thread.

So I think I will just look for a rescue shepard.
Sounds like a rescue shepherd would be a good choice. I'd love to see pictures when you get him or her so please come back and post.

It also makes me crazy when people let their dogs off leash.
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:33 PM
 
Location: CA
218 posts, read 772,318 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phonelady61 View Post
whoa now no one said you should not get this breed just know and be aware of what you are getting and yes im sure there are exceptions in every breed . We all just want you to be aware of what you are getting into and to be aware is all . No one here said you should not get the dog just be aware of what can happen and what you need to do to keep this breed in general happy . Good luck whatever you decide .

No, no - I totally get that. I've been looking into it for some time and researching and posted here to see IF anyone got one and their thoughts.

I actually found in another forum - specifically about dogs - and followed this gents journey with his malinois. The majority of people said the same things that were said here. His journey reflect the hyper, needing tons of exercise theory.

I don't think it would be fair to get a dog the needs 8 hrs of exercise a day if I can only give her 3 or 4. Just cuz I want a bad-ass dog to scare the neighbours...

Come October I will be looking around into adopting a puppy - and I can't wait to post pictures and vent my frustrations.
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Old 06-30-2015, 06:55 PM
 
Location: Lake Country
1,961 posts, read 2,236,694 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rowan123 View Post
I've not owned one but I know people that have owned them, been around them and seen them trained. They are great dogs - if you're looking for a working dog in a war zone or a police K-9.

The working line malinois I've been around are like shepherds on steroids. Their drive is higher, their energy level is higher and they're very sensitive (more so than a GSD) when it comes to training. They're highly trainable but more difficult to train because of the drive and the sensitivity. I've owned GSDs for years (including high-drive GSDs whose parents were national-level Shutzhund competition dogs (mother in the US and father was a high-placing competitor in the Bundessieger Prufung (Germany)) and IMO owning a GSD (even a high-drive GSD) is not at all comparable to owning a malinois. The GSD temperament is also generally more stable and less high strung. I absolutely admire malinois as working dogs but I'd never own one.

If you do decide to get a malinois, I'd look at AKC conformation lines rather than working lines.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
I have several agility friends with Mals so I am somewhat familiar with the breed. I agree 100% with what Rowan wrote. Gorgeous, super smart and phenomenally capable dogs but I'd never have one. And I run high drive Aussies...another breed with intense and sensitive dogs from working lines.

I'd definitely stay far away from working lines...just too much dog for even most experienced and training savvy owners. I do have one friend (a very experienced dog trainer) with a rescue Mal and several Mals from conformation/combo lines and they are all nice dogs. With one very sad exception...she had to euthanize one of her Mals at a fairly young age due to the dog's extreme sound phobia unresponsive to any therapy. She tried everything from all the holistics to many different drugs. The dog freaked out at nearly every turn each day...opening cupboards, using the microwave, telephone ring, opening drawers, opening doors...you get the idea. The dog was so distressed that each day was torture for the dog. I do think this extreme case is unusual but it does demonstrate how the highly sensitive herding breeds can go off the behavioral deep end.
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Old 06-30-2015, 07:01 PM
 
Location: Lake Country
1,961 posts, read 2,236,694 times
Reputation: 1830
Quote:
Originally Posted by toopie28 View Post
No, no - I totally get that. I've been looking into it for some time and researching and posted here to see IF anyone got one and their thoughts.

I actually found in another forum - specifically about dogs - and followed this gents journey with his malinois. The majority of people said the same things that were said here. His journey reflect the hyper, needing tons of exercise theory.

I don't think it would be fair to get a dog the needs 8 hrs of exercise a day if I can only give her 3 or 4. Just cuz I want a bad-ass dog to scare the neighbours...

Come October I will be looking around into adopting a puppy - and I can't wait to post pictures and vent my frustrations.
Now I see this.

Good luck with your puppy plans and, yes, please post pics!
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Old 01-27-2018, 12:42 AM
 
Location: Dalton Gardens
2,855 posts, read 6,457,199 times
Reputation: 1699
An old topic, but I am going to jump in.

I am a Malinois owner. When we went to the shelter to rescue a dog we had no deliberate intent to get a Mal. She picked us. When we learned that she had already been brought back by two other potential "forever families" and was on her way to being destroyed as unadoptable we decided to take a chance. First, we brought our 2 year old granddaughter to meet Lola and it was love at first sight for both. That was it! Lola came home with us.

Has it been easy? Not by a long shot! She is hyper, full of energy, very strong, and super intelligent. She is obnoxious, pig-headed and stubborn. She has a high prey drive. But... she is the best protector we have ever had and she is now my service animal. I know that if my legs collapse she is going to get me safely back into the house. I know that if someone tries to attack, they are in for a very nasty surprise.

I would not recommend a Mal as an average family pet, and they do require someone with the physical strength, energy and determination to handle them. But we do not regret our choice to save Lola from destruction.
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