Any Belgian Malinois owners here? General Chat

I was wondering if there are any Malinois owners here that can show me some pics and Tell me about them from an owners point of view, what they are like in a family home, suitability with other animals and chilren etc?

I am interested in maybe owning this breed sometime in the future

Thanks Hayley.

(i can Tell you about Bloody Gronnies! )Mallies are much more high Drive & high maintenance & very very mentally strong, there seems to be quite a divide between show lines & working lines, which there isnt in the Tervs & grons.

I love them, i think they are awesome, but i know id not have the self discipline to remain in control so i dont think id have one.

I have only known working Malinois (police dogs) and I would say they are only for the very experienced! Pet or show lines may be different though.

Fabulous dogs though

Thanks for your replies Ladies How do they compare to collies in terms of the high drive and high maintenance?

I own working line mals
how they compare to other dogs

well how does a 4 wheel drive armoured plated ferrari with 2 engines compare to a fiat 500

You're dealing with strongheaded powerfull dogs that are dominant to the extreme. They don't tolerate (mental) weaknesses in the owner and it is a joy to work with. I wouldn't want any other dog
http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/heldengebroed/lummen 1312008/
my oldest in action

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/heldengebroed/cosmo/

2 of the others playtime (the one standing in front of me is currently owned by the army and being trained as an explosive search dog

Greetings

Johan

Handsome dogs but certainly not a breed I could cope with

Fabulous Johan.

The breed are working machines.

The working type no where close, makes a collie look like its going backwards!!!!

It might be an idea to get in touch with Joanna Hill - she has one (or more) and does obedience and IPO with them I think.

There is also one from working lines doing HtM. She is a fantastic bitch. I quite like them personally - If I couldn;t have a BC they would be my next choice of breed.

Thanks for the photo's & info. I would definatley want to be working the dog in agility. I would love to get some hands on experience before i make my mind up, but I don't know anybody with one.
Where is Joanna Hill Based?

Look here!

http://www.joannahill.co.uk/

Hi. I'm new to the forum so responding months later than your original post. I have two working line mali's. The oldest aged 2 is a rescue (I got him as a 3 month old puppy) and my other boy is a year - I got him from a private security company that breed.

I was told by the rescue I got my oldest boy from that mali's were just like german shepherds (what I was looking for) so my husband and I said ok and off we went. Wow, these dogs are nothing like GS or any other dog. They are bright, sharp, demanding, cheeky, funny, fast, playful, agile, jumping machines, vocal and any other lively adjective (sort of like ADHD). We fell in love with our boy and just had to get another one. They are both extremely sensitive and need firm but gentle handling. My two are fantastic family pets, they love cuddles and want to sit on our laps and be with us all of the time. They are fantastic with my two children (ages 12 and 10), other people and other dogs.

Our two mali's have completely changed our lives for the better. We have to make sure they gets loads of exercise as otherwise they are hyper, we do flyball and agility with them (and are thinking about starting tracking) and find we have so much fun with them even in the house such as getting them to find things, help to unload the shopping etc.

I have met people with show line mali's and I have found these to be more highly strung than my boys. having said that my boys love to work so much they get incredibly loud and excited at flyball and agility.

Maybe we've just been very lucky with the temprements of our two mali boys (we are a pet and now a dog sport home, we don't work in the armed forces or security) but I can't say anything negative about the breed.

Hi Hayley Ive just joined here so thought I would say hello, plus the fact that I have a Mally too!

She is called Kiah and is from Jan at BONVIVANT kennels in Lincolnshire (sorry I dont mean to advertise if were not meant to on here just saying where I got her from). She is on the internet if you look up the breed name and tries to breed for looks as well as temperament, attitude and drive. I know Jan well and her bred dogs do show, agility, working trials, some gone to the police, flyball, all sorts but they are certainly not a breed for everyone.

Im certainly no expert as I have only owned Kiah (but know a fair few mallys) and I think they are an awesome dog. Kiah and I do agility and she is in Grade 5, she loves it, at home she is a bit of a couch potato but they certainly are no lazy dog, she just likes her chill time too!! There is also another super Malinois in the UK (owned by my ex) called Rusty who is just amazing, shes in G7 and already has two CC's and is well on the way to her 3rd.

Their personalities are really funny too, they are real characters and every one is different, can be very loud, very sneaky, bit too clever for their own good too, and certainly know how to wrap their owners around their little finger I'd say too! A lot of people I know who have one, can't just have one they really are a very special dog.

I think you do need to do something with the Mally's to keep their mind and body active (or i think they would find their own something to do lol!) and the ones i know just love agility so much, but any brain and power activity i think really does show them off to their best.

If you want any more info please do not hesitate to say hello I love talking about the Mally's they really are awesome and have changed my life for the better ten fold and then more.

Grace & Kiah xx

Informative thread. Any updates for us Hayley eg are they the dog for you?

Ohh Just checked back at this thread and thank you for the replies!!. We are still not in a position for a puppy just yet, house has been on the market since august so we are just playing a waiting game in that respect so I can't start puppy planning till we have moved!.

I haven't ruled them out but definatley want some Hands on experiance before I make my mind up but can probably forsee another Collie before A mal!

Thanks again for all the info, we need more pics though!!!!!

I agree - pics please I am always in awe of working malinois, but think I will stick to my sheps!

I was told of a litter a little while ago of border collie x malinois. They apparently make excellent sheep and cattle dogs. It sounds a pretty formidable combination to me, but would absolutely love to see them working.

As the owner of a Belgian x BC, I would say Don't...! Ever!
He is a little sod... to put it mildly.

It is not a good combination; but I was totally gobsmacked when he once took it upon himself to herd up a bunch of steers that were blocking a public footpath.

Talent.... incredible natural talent, I was in awe. Unfortunately I don't own cattle, and he has not taken to agility or any other permissible dog sports.

This isn't my Mali he belongs to a friend of mine.
a beautiful specimen of a Mali imo

lol - I did think the cross of the two breeds would be some animal

I would love to watch them working (sheep or cattle), but don't think I could ever talk hubby into trying one - even to move our grumpy Highland cattle . The lady who had bred the litter really raved about them though.