Malinois & German Shepherd Dogs (Mals & GSDs) Discussions

Hi Guys, am posting this thread as others may find it useful - if like me, they love GSDs but because of their size/long coat, are interested in Malinois (Belgian Shepard Dog).

If anyone has any experience of these breeds please do chime in with any info you think might be interesting or useful

have never owned either but know owners of both

one mali owner said to me the difference is that mali's don't have an off button

certainly watching them, the mali is quicker

Just been watching some nat geo you tube clips of bite styles and mal's came up ,they seem strong agile eager... Very nice dogs ..
If you can handle that pointy nose ..lol

Ta both,

It's not that pointy

its no presa though..

A lot slimmer than a Presa, both face and body - something I specifically want tho as I feel Presa's are a bit too heavy (stress on joints - Rocky's already had one plate put in a knee). Hence me looking at more agile/athletic dogs but with a suitable body frame.

Just look up everything you can about Belgian Shepherds in general..... The BSDA have books and publications available on their website including information about Malinois.

A rescue Malinois from show-lines is as rare as rocking-horse poo, but Malis from working lines are ending up in rescue because their owners can't cope with them, which should give you an idea of what you might be getting yourself into!

Please do not take on a working line Malinois.... they are extremely hard drive dogs, and despite what some of the less-than-reputable breeders say, are not suited to pet homes. I have heard of instances where they have been mis-sold to people quite unsuited to the breed.

Belgian Shepherd health is generally very good indeed - all 4 breeds can suffer from epilspsy and eye problems but within the UK show-line Malinois there is no epilepsy and all breeding dogs are tested annually for eye issues. Hip dysplasia is not a great problem but are scored, and the breed average is 9 - some go up to 14 or more but I also know of some with 0 perfect score.

I would contact the BSDA and get to know the Mali breeders in the UK before making up your mind. I can PM you details of the main breeders (there are not many!) and you may need to wait a couple of years for a puppy, as three of the most prominent breeders have had litters within the last 6 months (and therefore will not be breeding again for some time).

They need a tremendous amount of socialisation as puppies and young adults and will need constant top-ups throughout their lives, especially exposure to all kinds of people and dogs. They are a breed which can lack in confidence, often displaying their fear or insecurity as aggression or extreme nervousness. They also have a strong inbuilt chase/prey drive!

I am sure others will be along with more information

I like the working bred Malis from reputable breeders and by that I mean people who hand pick who their dogs go to, and find out via others about the potential owners.

They also do not permit breeding females to go to people!

I find the working Malis MUCH more confident and outgoing than 90% of those from show/pet breeding.

There are a lot of myths about Malis and I know many working Malis including WT Champion, Schutzhund 3 and others on their way up who definitely DO have an off switch, because I have scratched their tums when they are having a snooze!

The same is true of working line GSD v show/pet lines.

Strong dogs in character, temperament and physique the working ones win hands down for me every time.

It is true that BSD tend to much more environmentally unsound than GSD as a general rule.

I'm a gsd fanatic, never had any other breed, but I have to say, since seeing our Boomer on here I've fallen totally and utterly in love with this breed! Somebody like you Azz would be the perfect owner for one of these, on top of which, I'll get to see lots of pics of my now favourite breed! I kind of like the short coats too and I never thought I'd ever say that, but then again, is it the Grenoiles or summat that are the long coated version of Mals which Mishfinn's hubby has two beautiful examples of? Oh I'm dead jealous now if you're thinking of this breed, I want that Boomer!!!

This is my boy Callan a Belgian Shepherd - Groenendael. He is the first long coated dog I have ever owned and I find his coat very easy to care for. He is a fabulous dog and I am sure I will never have another breed

I am looking forward to seeing Suzanne Jaffa making up her Groan into an Ob Ch and WT Ch! If anyone can do it with this breed, she can!

I like the Laekenois myself, but they, like the groans and turds are not know for their working prowess!

I guess you mean Tervs Smokey?

Thanks for the replies everyone - fascinating!

I am getting a bit put off the Mals now (thanks to MerlinsMums lol) maybe they are a bit too hyper for me. I don't want a dog that takes up my time 24 hours a day - more than willing to put the training time in, but I need to work/sleep too

Thanks for the lovely pics abbie, and yes that's the one, your Callan is the same as Mish's hubby's two, beautiful dogs! Are they always black then, coz I always thought belgian shepherds were a lot smaller than the gsd's with a thicker coat but similar colourings, and yet all I've ever seen of these Groans as SB calls them are the black ones?

There was an ad recently, in an Egyptian setting, and I swear that dog with the huge ears was a Mal? Am I right? I just love them now, and I really wish I could have one, but sadly........

Have you looked at Dutch shepherds ?

This one?

The Groenendaels are always black. The Tervueren are red, fawn or grey with a black overlay. I haven't seen the ad.

Are they available in the UK? They look a bit bigger than the Mals?

Only ever seen video footage never in the flesh ,.

Yes! That's the one, thanks Azz, Icould watch it and watch it! When I first saw this ad, that's when this addiction first started, I fell in love with the breed, and then when I watched all the videos of that Boomer boy, well, it was all downhill from there, coz I really, reeeeeeeally want one of these now!

One of these wouldn't be too much for you Azz, once you got the training right, the walking regime, you'll find you will get that peace and quiet whenever you want it, these dogs must be like shepherds, they just want to please you and if it pleases you to have him quiet at certain times, then that's just what he'll do - I'd stake my life on that!!!

It's definitely one to consider Azz, most definitely, it's very "you" if you know what I mean.

I can't imagine what a one to one relationship with a dog such as this would be like, awesome, and I'd go so far as to say it's probably a man's dog - am I right? I'd like one coz I've always been a tomboy lol!