Belgian Malinois Dog
Energetic Family Companion!
Background and Description
The Belgian Malinois dog, classified among the herding dog breeds, is a medium-size dog of elegant appearance and proud demeanor.
He is muscular, limber and strong, but without looking heavy, has a square-looking structure, and is proportionally well-balanced.
The are four different varieties of Belgian Shepherd dogs - the Groenendale, Laekenois, Tervuren and Malinois - all named for the
towns from which they originated. They vary in their coat color and coat type, the Malinois being of short coat,
highlighted by a black mask around the head and ears. At first glance he may appear similar to the German Shepherd, but a
closer look reveals differences in the bone structure, color, size, head and ear shape.
The Malinois' is derived from working sheepdogs and his abilities include herding, tracking, agility, obedience, and police detection work.
Appearance:
Height 22-26 inches Weight: 61-66 pounds
Color Variations: Rich Fawn, Mahogany
Coat and Care:
This breed has a short dense double coat that is waterproof. Easy maintenance involves regular brushing to remove the loose hair that comes
about from a light amount of shedding. Seasonal, heavier shedding also occurs a couple of times a year.
Personality and Traits:
The Belgian Malinois dog likes to enjoy a high degree of interaction with his human family, but he also needs to be well-socialized from a puppy.
If you are serious about acquiring this breed as a puppy, be sure to look for responsible Belgian Malinois breeders through the national
association that represents the breed. A good breeder will start the socialization process before a puppy leaves the litter and should be
able to tell you about the health and temperament of the parents. If you are more interested in an older dog, try the Belgian Malinois dog rescue
organizations. Rescues usually have background information and have tested their dogs for temperament. Plus you are likely to find one that has
already received some training.
While this breed can be an excellent family companion, he is not a dog for owners that have little time to spend with a pet and won't enjoy being
left for extended periods of time.
On the other hand, if you are a family that enjoys a lot of outdoor activities, especially things that could include your dog, you will
be delighted with the enthusiastic response of the Malinois. He is a sensitive and intelligent dog that needs training to direct his
high energy, especially if you can give him a job to do. Some activities to consider include agility, flyball, herding, obedience,
tracking and any other game-like activities. He has also been successful in police detection work, as well as search and rescue.
The Belgian Malinois dog does best with experienced owners who have a sound knowledge of the best practices for dog training. A firm, but never
harsh training approach works the best with this breed. He has natural protective instincts and made a good watch/guard dog without being aggressive.
Activity Level:
The Malinois is a quick and agile dog with high energy. They need vigorous walks every day, and ideally other high energy activities as
often as can be provided. In addition, opportunities to run freely in a safe area, are highly recommended. He also makes a great buddy
for jogging/running.
Toys To Consider For The Belgian Malinois Dog:
Click on any toy for more details.
Space Needs:
Does best in home with a reasonable yard. This breed can be outside some of the time, but really prefers being inside with the family.
Children:
The Belgian Malinois does best with children if he is raised with them from a puppy. A parent should take into consideration that this breed
is highly active and quite large. As with any breed of dog, it is recommended that interactions between pet and children should always be supervised
and even more so with a dog of this size and energy level.
Elderly:
High exercise needs would not make this breed suitable for inactive seniors or sedentary environments,
Book Recommendations:
A complete owner's reference guide written by a world-renowned expert on the breed.
Includes all aspects of owning, training and caring for this exceptional dog breed.
Share Your Malinois Story
There's nothing like first hand information when someone is trying to decide on a dog breed.
If you have a Belgian
Malinois dog, won't you share your experience as an owner of this impressive dog?
You can tell your story here
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