The Belgian Malinois is a highly driven, intelligent herding breed now widely used by military and police forces worldwide. Intense, athletic, and tireless, Malinois thrive when given demanding work and consistent training from experienced handlers. In the right hands they are exceptional partners, but they are not recommended for novice owners or low-activity households.
I got my Malinois after years with Border Collies so I thought I understood high-drive dogs. The Mal operates at another level entirely. She is relentless in her focus, athletic beyond belief, and bonds with a depth I have not experienced before. She watches me constantly, anticipates my next move, …
Read full review →My Mal is the smartest dog I have ever owned and also the most demanding. He figured out how to open every door in my house within a month. He needs a job. We do agility, nosework, and obedience trials. When he is well stimulated he is calm, affectionate, and a joy to live with. When something is of…
Read full review →My Malinois goes everywhere with me. We do bikejoring, agility, hiking, and Schutzhund. She has made me fitter, more disciplined, and more patient. Her training has been the most rewarding challenge I have ever taken on. She is sharp as a tack and reads me better than any human. In eight years she h…
Read full review →I have to be completely honest. I got a Malinois thinking my active lifestyle would be enough. It was not. This breed needs not just physical exercise but intense mental engagement that I was not equipped to provide. My boy became destructive and began nipping out of frustration. A professional trai…
Read full review →I got a Malinois because I thought they were like German Shepherds. They are not. My boy was destructive, anxious, and unmanageable until I hired a specialist trainer and completely restructured my life around his needs. He is now a working sport dog and thriving, but the first year was genuinely di…
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