What is your opinion on a Malinois cross GSD as a pet? Discussions

Well done on your decision, you are obviously going to be a brilliant dog owner - what are you going to get now?

When we wanted a dog to act as company for our Border Collie, we went to the RSPCA to rehome a dog. We fell in love with an eight week old GSD puppy, however it turned out that the puppy was a GSD/Malinois cross.

The first six months was hell. The dog went to training classes each week, barked at everything that moved, people cycles and especially other dogs.

Two years down the line after much work with the dog, I now have a companion I would not part with.

The dog is more like a Malinois than a GSD, and requires a lot of activity. Long walks and runs off lead, Agility training is ideal as these dogs like something to do.

I would say to you, if you are prepared to work with the dog and ensure that it stimulated. There is no finer dog to have as a companion.

My dog only barks at other dogs, and if off lead is no problem.

I would not reccomend that the malinois is left in a kennel when you go on holiday, as I am sure it would go crazy.

Take note what other people have said. Lots of work, Days when you wonder why you chose this dog, However in time ther is no finer dog.

I have deliberately kept out of this thread until now.

As has been said before there are show/working types of GSD and BSD.

So one cannot generalise too much.

Secondly the BSD/GSD cross has been used for many years as a police and military dog very successfully and are increasingly common as sports dogs.

Lastly they do just as well or badly in kennels as any other breed or cross.

Whether or not there is no finer dog is, of course, a matter of opinion.

Sounds like a lovely dog - please post some pics, we have lots of GSD & Mal fans here

I too have kept out of this so far - I know about this litter -they were a deliberate cross bred by the kind of unethical numpty to finds the idea of a macho dog attractive - when he could not sell them he threatened to drown them by throwing them in the river ( he lived on a house boat ) - they have had zero socialisation and will need very experienced dedicated owners to take them on - however please do not assume that all BSD or indeed all Malinois have this type of temperament - as Smokeybear has said there other lines of BSD and in fact most BSD are NOT specifically bred for 'man work,( I won't call them show lines because very few of them are actually shown) and this is a breed without a working /show split - most go on to be wonderful family pets, taking part in agility, obedience or any other canine activity you may want to try, do look at these if you like the Malinois and want less extreme traits.

You were conspicuous by your absence... ;-)

Ah so that's what happened to that litter - Thanks Bijou, have been wondering about them ever since. And no, not a suitable dog for an inexperienced owner.

Bijou do you not think there is an increasing physical division developing between "work" and "show" Malis, such as bigger ears and a more rectangular rather than square outline in the "work" types i.e. increasingly moving towards the GSD look, although still with a level back and a squared stance, so far?

Well it depends what your definition of work is - loads of BSD work and remain true to type both physically and mentally but as in all things there are a small number of breeders who push the boundaries producing a more 'extreme' type of Malinois for a specific purpose ( usually something to do with hanging off a padded sleeve :? ) - what I find frustrating is that the entire breed is increasingly being judged on this minority of untypical dogs - we must never forget that the Malinois is not a separate breed - the only difference between it and the Groenendael, Tervueren and Laekenois should be it's coat type , and the other varieties have no working/show split - if folk want to discover what the breed is really like then why not come along to our Championship show http://www.bsdaofgb.co.uk/events.htm
where you will meet Malinois as they SHOULD be - or if you are near Lincolnshire you are very welcome to come along and meet my pack of Belgians !!

Perhaps a collie or collie cross we have had them in the past. So maybe just stick to what we know. I have been looking on the many tears website and they have some young collie cross Lab pups so maybe something like that. as I said earlier we have mainly had crosses in the past and I would prefer to home from a rescue and give a dog a second chance.

That is where i was going to say to have a look ...
Also the collie Brewster i posted in the rescue section on here...

Hi Murf

Brewster is lovely. I wish I had seen your post earlier. My Son has a 3 year old collie who I adore. She spent several months living with us when she was younger while he had to move into a flat. I really didn't want to give her back. Although my partner is more of a lab man.

I have been on the Many Tears website today and filled out an application, just need to wait and see now. Not going to say which one in case it falls through.

My home is not complete without a little four legged friend to share it with. I miss my old boy so much.

Good luck ...which ever you go for ...Lots of of choice on Many tears ....lol

Entirely agree, maybe we should just be thankfully people are less keen on using the "fluffy" Belgians for the arm hanging activities ;-)