Anyone own one? We are starting to look for a new puppy and I've always been fascinated by this breed. We are an outdoorsy family and we want something that can go with us to the mountains, the beach, and on our camping trips. I know this will take quite a bit of socializing and training but we are looking forward to it. Just looking for what you love about the dog and any issues we should watch out for.

Do you have experience with high energy herding breeds? If not, probably not a great first introduction to the group.

European strain German Shepherd might be a little easier to handle for a family. I would love a Malanois but travel for work. That is too much dog for my wife to handle when I am not there.

We own an anxious German Shepherd and regularly do a group class with a couple of Malinois. I grew up with bird dogs (Weimars, Vizlas, GSP, Labs). I've never been around more high-energy dogs than the Malinois. The two Malinois we interact with are well trained and VERY eager to please their owners but I'd concur that prospective Malinois owners would want to have LOTS of time to dedicate to training and working the dogs.

When I was in the military and spoke to the handlers they claimed they were known to be stubborn in comparison to GSDs.

A full time job to own one.

My retired neighbors have one. They literally work with the dog in shifts. Early morning workout of the dog. Several daytime play sessions and a night time workout.

Everyday.


Now that dog is practically a person in terms of intelligence and seems to understand english, no joke. But a huge responsibility to own one.

My dad was a K-9 officer and they used Labs, GSD and Malinois. He said that most of the trainers and handlers said they were very high energy but also very "one person" dogs. Very loyal to one person and not necessarily a sociable dog. I met some of the officers that had them and as far as being "their" dog they really liked them, but some of the officers that had been doing it a while and had experience with multiple breeds said that as a home dog they liked the German Shepherds and of course Labs.
I would get the rejects of the K-9's brought home to be my pets (Labs and GSD's) and my dad would never allow a Malinois to come home for me.......he was kinda opinionated about them.
I think if a dog is trained correctly they can all be good dogs...there are "bad dogs" in any breed, maybe more so in some than others.
Do your research and get what is going to make you and your family happy and make good memories.

That is what some of my dads guys said.....they were super intelligent but very independent because of that perhaps?

We have a rescue dog that's a mix between GSD, Malinois, and shelter mutt. High energy is an understatement. We have had him about a year and got him as a puppy at 12 weeks. It took him a while to warm up to us but he has come a long way and now is great with our 4 and 8 year old girls. And as I type this he is passed out with me on the couch from a couple mile trail walk we did today. He is also good with our 9 year old lab/border collie mix

We have had to Weimaraners and mutts. The weimaraners were super high energy dogs. I'd take to the parks or lakes near by in the AM and they would be worn out but ready to wreck shop again after 5. That's my baseline. I'm looking forward to the jogging in the AM and training in the PM. I'm more curious how much more high strung are they than my super high strung weim.

The only breed I have encountered with an energy level of a Belgian is the Border Collie. I have a lot of experience with GSDs and they aren't close.

Its a whole new level.

Have operated hundreds of GSDs and dozens of Malinois over the years. I prefer working with the Malinois. And they are less likely to have all the health problems that GSDs are known to have.

I breed, import, sell and train working line GSD's, Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. All of our dogs are social and clear headed, multiple handlers aren't an issue. In some lines, they are.

They are for sure a high energy/high drive breed. Working lines will be a nightmare for the average pet owner. AKC lines are more on the average pet side of things energy wise. That said, sometimes we have pups that can't cut it as working dogs, but would be fine for an active pet home. Feel free to contact me through the website for more info. I'm not on here much any more - was alerted to this by a friend.

YogiBeers said:

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We have had to Weimaraners and mutts. The weimaraners were super high energy dogs. I'd take to the parks or lakes near by in the AM and they would be worn out but ready to wreck shop again after 5. That's my baseline. I'm looking forward to the jogging in the AM and training in the PM. I'm more curious how much more high strung are they than my super high strung weim.

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As mentioned by those above, it's all work drive, all the time. And it's different from high-strung sporting dogs, because they will invent more and more complicated and destructive things to do to keep them occupied.

Great for what they are, but I would strongly suggest a GSD or Aussie if you want your 1st herding dog, and you live out away from where they can get in big dog trouble.

https://imgur.com/gallery/X2dZhfT


And thats just the warm up routine.

Where are you located? You are welcome to come see dogs work and talk about lines and what to look for if you are anywhere near Austin. We have a big warehouse where we kennel most of the dogs, and plenty of working areas with adequate space to keep distancing due to the wuhan cooties.

If you have questions about breeders, please send me a message at rgrmalinois@gmail.com. Way too many backyard breeders in Texas. I'd rather sell you a working line pup and teach you how to manage it versus buy from some of these people, and have a host of health issues (including something similar to Rage syndrome called Behavior Propensity.)

I test all breeding dogs for that, full embark's and x-rays of hips, elbows and spine. I don't have pups now, the ones we are importing are likely already sold, and not expecting any until end of the year; so there is ZERO pressure to buy anything from me. I don't have anything to sell you.

Two videos of one of my females. First is her with my kiddo waking her up for summer camp. Second is her in drive. You CAN make them family pets, but with working lines, it requires a ton of work and they need a job or they will destroy your life. AKC lines and wash outs are way better family pets, and the drives are generally at the low end of the scale.

https://instagr.am/p/B1IGImchBfY


https://instagr.am/p/B5Nu7j2BeXx

Hope you've got a talllll fence!

We decided to stay with the Weimaraner. I really wanted a BM but I don't think we were ready for a BM just yet. I hope to get one in the future, especially once my boys get older. Thank you for the offer

All day everyday, sure. But occasionally - not likely.

Think about it as you would in humans. Average Joe who is healthy (active and not obese) who is a weekend warrior isn't likely to get severe OA during their early or mid-life, but that same person as a football player or full time X gamer - yes the daily biomechanics will wear out their joints and OA will develop.

*** remember spontaneous/activity-induced OA in dogs is really uncommon. Most OA in dogs is due to underlying genetic disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia, OC, or cruciate disease. Those diseases occur no matter what, but can be accelerated or worsened by activity, obesity, diet, and other environmental factors.

AggieArcher17 said:

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Hope you've got a talllll fence!

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Thats awesome. My uncle in Arizona had a chihuahua/mutt that didn't stand over 12" tall at the shoulders that would bounce off the side of their house to get on top off the cinder block wall in the back yard. Then the little guy had a highway network to all the neighbors back yards.