Any Belgian Malinois owners here? General Chat

That Mali pic is brilliant!

I would, if I could, bring him up to you. It would be his dream I think (and I have never been to Scotland!).

The steers were arranged in a parallel line, about 2 yards alongside a well used public footpath. He went through the kissing gate before me and ignored my recall.

I saw him go to the last steer in the line, farthest away, and bark it up so it got to its feet and moved a few yards back. He then left it, and went to every steer along the line doing the same.... 9 of them if I recall rightly, same with all.

One bolshy steer actually charged him with head down, mean business.... three times - he was up in its face and would not back down, without touching it; it decided not to bother and joined the rest.

I was halfway down the field by then having had the pathway cleared by my amazing dog (still had heart in mouth thinking someone might shoot him for worrying)... looked back and one steer was lying down other side of path - he went back, barked it up and made it join its fellows.

He moved all these steers off the path a few yards, one by one, all down the line.... methodically.... I was awestruck. TBH any farmer seeing him do that might have offered me money for him lol

Recall when he was doing this....? was useless..... of course! might as well try to recall a greyhound off an electric hare...

I keep him on lead around livestock now but that took me by surprise. In some ways, I wonder if he might have a happier life being a cattle dog, if anyone would have him.

Never seen anything like it, and had no idea he was able to do it. I have no idea how I could exploit that innate instinct in him. It's hard enough finding sheep herding training for sheepdogs if you own a 'pet' ....never mind cattle.

Nice I just watched his Video gorgeous!!,, thanks bout 4 hours away from me though

mallinois are awesome!!!! love em!! love watching them work,love the way they look,would so like to work one,saying that csv's have something about them akin to mallinois so i iz happy ;-)

sorry i know it doesn't really contribute to this thread

Layla, after owning this particular little so-and-so for almost 4 years now, as a nearly-first dog, I would welcome a pure Mali or any other Belgian breed, as a softer option!
Always be careful what you wish for... hehehe

lol u can borrow Tupac if you like(czech,belgium still a vlack innit?) ;-) ;-) ..... i know what you mean tho, but i call it 'character' ;-) ;-)

Wanna swap?

what a shame :-( with them and you both in Herdfordshire i thought it would be ideal.

to be fair i wouldnt inflict a teenager on you,but Merlin can come visit the big smoke anytime ...im ready...i think lol ;-)

They are in Hertfordshire I'm Herefordshire!! ( easy mistake )
Thanks tho I have looked at the pictures & videos so very helpful!

silly me

Hayley, I have friends in Newport with a Working Mali, If you ever want to meet one!

Oh yes I do! what does it 'work' at??

Sounds fantastic Sue - I would have loved to have seen that. I could put you in touch with the lady who works hers up here if you are interested, or could ask hubby if he knows anyone down your way who might be able to help you with some herding lessons?

Have you any photos of Merlin on here? I don't think I have ever seen him.

Well hes Working Lines, They do Schtzhund

I don't know if I have any on here... but can link to some if you like

On a break in Devon last March

Somerset, Sept '09

Yes he is a couch potato!
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The herding sounds great, if you can find any down this way, though I don't drive so that might be an issue!

By the way, there is a gorgeous young working Malinois bitch, about a year old in Rescue at the moment - she is with Hope Rescue (sadly I don't seem to be able to post a link). Currently on foster in Wales. I wish I could have another dog!

Thanks for the photos Sue, Merlin looks lovely. I will see if hubby can think of anyone down your way, who may be able to help you with herding

oh merlin is stunning!!

Hes very very Tervey isnt he, Just with Collie legs & front! How tall is he?

He's 24".... I admit those pics have his feet in the grass, so he doesn't look as tall. Belgian body, Collie head, but not quite... very much like some early Terv imports/working line tervs.

Oddly enough his dad was not a Terv but a Groenendael, said to be from Kimbesha lines (but must have carried the Terv colour gene). Mum was a working collie from a farm near Ringwood, black & white with one blue eye!

As much of a lovable rogue that he is (wish handsome did as handsome does.... ) any other dog wouldn't be half as much fun after him. What some people class as difficult, others adore as character.

One plus point is he LOVES people and is always ready to meet new ones... Remembers his best human mates and is incredibly loyal to them... but oh boy, don't ever cross him!
Loyal to the nth degree.....
I have my work cut out now trying to get him over his personal fatwah against teenage boys wearing tracksuits and hoodies... we had neighbours from hell living next door for a year or so and the teenage lads would shout abuse at me over the fence and throw things at us. You do not do that sort of thing to a dog like him and expect no long-term repercussions, unfortunately. Same for most guarding breeds too I would guess.

This is he loving my neighbour Patrick beyond the call of duty:


- sadly Patrick died very suddenly a few months ago... and both me & my dog are still trying to come to terms with that. The pic above was published in the local paper as part of his tribute.