Is this how Malinois look? Photos

http://www.working-dog.eu/dogs-details/964775/Jotunheim-Xcetera

That is John's dog with which he won the Worlds, his name is Kupa.

Sorry folks but no Malinois should look like a GSD - they are NOT the same breed and the two breeds should never be confused with each other - the fact that some working Malinois breeders cross GSD with Mals does not mean that what they produce is true Malinois type

here is Bonvivant Kallisto - a Uk Agility Champion



Note her trademark BSD 'elegance' - the first picture posted of the Service Malinois also shows this elegance of type.

The Malinois is just one variety of the BSD and should share the same temperament and breed type as all the other three ...they are NOT a separate breed !

But, in all reality, does the Malinois share the same temperament as the other three? I only have limited experience of the BSD, but the Malinois temperament appeared to be very different to the Groenendael and Tervuren that I have met.

To be fair, I don't think I have ever met a showline Mali in the flesh though, so are the showline Mali more in line with the other BSDs and the working Mali temperament has changed over the years and broken away from the rest of the BSD?

Found this and found it interesting, so thought I would share.

Thanks Moobli - I've seen all 6 colour variations ( never seen liver ) and personally iIwould'nt call the 'blue' masking really blue but a dilute black.

The Malinois does most certainly share the same temperament as the other varieties apart from the small number bred specifically for 'man work' -Bonvivant Kallisto is bred by one of the most successful Malinois show kennels.

There is no work/show split in the Groenendael/Tervueren or Laekenois and pups fro the same litters do go on to both work and show homes - it is questionable whether it is a good thing to take what is essentially a pastoral breed and change it's temperament into something it was never meant to be - exaggerating one aspect of a breeds temperament is just as bad as exaggerating one of it's physical characteristics ...both are irresponsible and make a breed unfit for its original purpose

Thanks Bijou. How often are BSDs now used to work sheep in their native country - or elsewhere?

Also, why do you think it is that the Malinois was chosen from the four varieties by the protection enthusiasts?

When did the Mali first start to be used as a police dog? I remember going to pick up a Mali pup from a litter in Yorkshire for Lancashire Police around 9 years ago, and she was the first Mali pup the force had ever tried out.

I was going to register at that working dogs site but they want your address so I'll give it a miss

Kirsty - do you know anyone breeding dogs like the one's you posted? I love the one that looks like a GSD x Mal

I don't know anyone who breeds Mali's like that unfortunately Azz. I think that boy was in the US too, if I remember rightly. I will find out.

Yep, here he is He is KNPV line, so I don't know whether that makes any difference?

http://jamesyuan.net/default.aspx

His pedigree
http://www.bloedlijnen.nl/pdfstamboom.php?ID=16717

Oo he's a stunner Kirsty definitely more my type of Mal... he looks like a small gsd

Love his grandfather too - funny that his name is Rocky as well (aawww I miss Rocky )

Do either of these boys take your fancy, Azz?





They are both in rescue at the moment.

Yes. The working line Malis are a great deal different, and have diverged over the years to follow function rather than form.

It would be a dilute - the 'blue dilution' gene dd dilutes black to silvery grey (blue), and liver to 'lilac' (as in the Weimaraner).

I have seen pics of Blue Malinois from USA working lines but I gather they don't appear often in European lines, although I understand a Briarquest bitch exported to Finland produced a blue when mated to a stud dog over there, so it is possible.

Likewise, there are some solid black Malinois in the USA from working lines. In most BSDs black is due to the Dominant Black Kb gene but recessive blacks (the a gene) are present in BSDs as evidenced by rare occasions when Tervs have had black offspring. It's not impossible that some Malinois may have retained a recessive gene for solid black also.

He looks long and broad in the body, and short on the leg to me.... is that why you prefer him?

I only recognise one kennel name in the pedigree, which is Des Deux Pottois.

My rescue girl is also short on leg and long in body, with an unusually broad ribcage, which is why the Malinois owner/breeder who took her out of the dogs' home and brought her down to me, wondered 'if she might have a bit of GSD in her'. (She herself has Malinois for agility and occasionally shows them).

Is this a common body-type for KPNV dogs?

They look nice MM - do you have more photos/details?

Although it's probably too soon still, and I think I would have to get a young dog/pup because of Cheetah :/

I like Rambo's head, but then am not as keen on him when you see the body shot.

I posted this else where before but it shows how strong a mal can be ...

When I went over to Holland a few years ago to watch the KNPV Championships, All bar 2 of the dogs were Malinois (there was one GSD which came 2nd and a Laekenois).

The Malinois all looked different in height, breadth, heads etc etc.

It was a very interesting competition to watch.

This year I am going to France to watch the Mondioring World Championships, it will be interesting to see which breeds feature the most and variety of looks.

They are both in the care of the Northern Belgian Shepherd Dog rescue arm. Laddie, the first, is 5 years old. I think the other is just a pup or adolescent. Bijou will have more details as she is a member.

I am sorry to have to say it, but if you are going solely on looks - "looks like a smaller GSD" etc... then don't get a Malinois. They are not similar in behaviour at all, especially the working lines.... a working line Mali is still not like a working line GSD, because they are very much not the same breed.

Have you had any experience of owning or handling Border Collies? If you haven't, then the mental speed these dogs have will knock you sideways... they cannot be compared to GSDs at all.

With respect, I think Azz, you would be better off looking into working line GSDs, and you will have a lot of backup on here from owners of the same if you do so

Some sensible advice there, thanks.

I would definitely want to spend some time with one first and of course looks wouldn't be the only attribute, the temperament and personality (/other breed traits) have to suit too, and I'd probably agree, a working line GSD would probably suit me better out of the two.

Still no harm in pondering