Belgian Malinois?

[pippixox]

Anyone know any Belgian Malinois?
I have heard of them basically being a more intense version on a German Shepherd?
My last dog was a rescue GSDx who was hyper and reactive with other dogs, but great in the home and with people. We now have a 2yo collie x, who has a high chase drive and typical never ending collie energy! So I do prefer medium-large energetic breeds. I run with my collie and do long walks (I'm on maternity leave and I am then just doing very part time work & horses when I bring dogs)....

I only ask because sadly we had to return our 7 month old foster collie as he was too scared of my husband (he had terrible abuse in the hands of a man and despite my husband trying to put him at ease and give him time, it was getting worse and stressing them both out too much) but the house feel empty now with only one dog! A charity I am in touch with about fostering have just taken in a 6 month old Belgium Malinois. I don't know much detail yet, and all I seem to find about the breed is negative, in terms of them being pets. So am I being silly to think about him?

I know people who would say collie or husky types should have a 'job' and work, but in active family homes they are very happy. they don't have to plug a sledge or herd sheep, just be exercised and stimulated.

 

[CorvusCorax]

In your situation I'd pass on him. They do not make good pets (that negative vibe is there for a reason) and sadly because people have seen a highly trained one in a movie they want one, and backyard breeders are happy to oblige. So not only are there lots of Malinois around now, they are not terribly good examples of the breed.
Long walks won't cut it IMO and they do need a 'job'. A lot of collies and huskies have had the work ethic bred out of them over generations to suit the pet market, also.

As well as the high energy level, they can be prone to environmental sensitivity and some of them live on their nerves.

I am sure someone will come on and say they know/have a Mali who sleeps all day and is a very biddable pet but that would be the exception, not the rule.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

funnily enough I was talking about these with my dog trainer last night-pretty much reiterated what CC said about them.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Here I go again lol.

I don't mind them and I appreciate a good dog of any breed when I see one but...but I've only ever seen one I really liked and even then I wouldn't have had him as a gift.
People get blinded by flashy training videos on Youtube and hashtags like 'intensity' 'landshark' etc etc etc. Yes a lot are used as service dogs but even more get binned - for every police dog you see out there, of whatever breed, scores more have not made the grade.
People see them doing flashy tricks on the social media pages of the latest celebrity trainer du jour...but those people are professional dog trainers selling themselves/a product and get to train dogs all day every day.

They are going down the same road as German Shepherds, and not in a good way. Indiscriminate breeding leads to dogs with loads of what look likes 'drive' but is actually just a load of pent up energy and stress with no real genetics or heart or ability to learn behind it

 

[GirlFriday]

I grew up around a Groenendael, which I know is rather different, and who was lovely. But, as a small person, I did not feel safe around a Belgium shepherd. If you leave a child and collie alone (and you will, eventually) worst case scenario is probably a nip. I wouldn't necessarily trust a rescue BS to let go. The one I knew was actually lovely with children and even cats. But never, ever got over fear/aggression towards men in uniforms (was fine with men out of uniform, owner was one, and fine with women in uniform, but men in uniform, no waaay).

Edited to add: the one I knew had been in police kennels for a few weeks when initially found on the streets so we never knew if her distress at unifomed men was due to that or something that happened before. Aspects of training were well established and it is sad to imagine how circumstances changed.

 

[spacefaer]

The only one I have met was sharp and untrustworthy - very "defensive aggressive"

I wouldn't ever ever consider one with young children about.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I grew up around a Groenendael, which I know is rather different.

On the continent they are all classed as the same breed with different coat types and are frequently interbred

 

[GirlFriday]

Well, I'm not an expert. I grew up thinking of them as all (different) types of Belgium Shepard but I have continental friends who disagree and, as you said CC, think of them as all one breed.

Either way I figured they were similar enough for it to be worth adding a note of caution to the thread on them.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh absolutely, just thought it was an interesting point
They had the FMBB World Championships, where all types compete in all sorts of disciplines, in Germany in April.

 

[CrazyMare]

There is a part bred one in my village. It's well known for getting out, being caught and taken to the vet or police station then on to the dog warden.

Its sweet enough when you catch it, but has so much energy that hasn't been channelled. I always feel very sorry for the poor creature.

 

[pippixox]

Thanks. Your replies don't surprise me and all make sense. I guess i just wanted more opinions than just google! Obvious all dogs are individual but the likelyhood of him being an exception to the rule after ending up in rescue at just 6 months is unlikely! I just didn't want to judge purely on looks, as GSD in my opinion are often gentlegiants, but then they have been family dogs for much longer than Belgian Malinois dogs I presume.

 

[Dano1223]

A friend had one and it scared the life out of me, enough for me to not want to go to his house lol. Was aggressive towards men and very protective of the family.

Im sure it was down to lack of training and socialising but can't say i would have one

 

[Clodagh]

I do like them, when you see them on police documentaries. Not sure I would want one though. How sad about your collie, I do think you did the right thing.

 

[Aru]

The last one I meet I couldn't even get near enough to sedate it safely....and his owners couldn't get a muzzle on either...He's one of few dogs I've met that had the potential and ability to have killed me had he gotten loose. I'm not a fan of the breed. I've only met a handful. All muzzled for exam as defensive aggressive even in the hands of a good trainer and I've yet to meet a "soft" one. Thankfully they do tend to be incredibly healthy as a rule.

In the right hands with a massive amount of socialisation and a job to do they might be a decent animal but at 6 months and in rescue you could be dealing with a lot of issues already....

Honestly I would never recommend them to a pet home especially not one that with children.
A husky might destroy your house if they are feeling bored and restless, a Mal is a whole level up from that....plus if they are a typical Mal and untrustworthy with strangers...14 years is a long time not to be able to have guests over if you have children.

GSD's in general are a much much more mellow breed then the Mal's!...and Gsds aren't really a mellow breed lol!

 

[Moobli]

I know a few Malinois - mostly working dogs, but a couple as "active pets". A well bred, well trained, well exercised Malinois is a joy to watch but the working lines in particular are not suited to an average pet life. Show lines are nothing like working lines. However, in your situation, with a young child and other commitments I would advise you to steer clear of one in rescue, who is like to be poorly bred and from working lineage.

The working line Malinois is also nothing like the other varieties of Belgian Shepherd.

The Mali differs from the GSD (even working line GSD who themselves tend to be a world apart from the show lines) especially in terms of speed, both physical and mental and that they have a total lack of self preservation. GSDs are much more forgiving to their handler. Malis are known for being very quick to use their teeth when frustrated.

I once had a long conversation with a breeder of working Malis and they said that the breed is more akin to border collies than GSDs, especially in terms of speed (physical and mental), reactivity and sensitive nature but Malinois are far more likely to redirect on to the handler when frustrated.

You will always find non typical individuals within a breed but the warnings about specific breeds are often there for good reason.

Working line versions of GSDs and Malis are starting to turn up in rescue more frequently than ever before and this is a sign that they are being mass produced and sold to unsuitable homes on a more regular basis. A bad situation for all involved.

 

[Moobli]

I also meant to add - such a shame about your collie boy. It must have been a very difficult decision to return him. I do hope he gets an all-female home where he will settle and blossom. Will the rescue keep in touch and let you know how he gets on? (He is the pup with the damaged paw??).