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Belgian Malinois Dog – Is It Worth to Adopt One?
Hello again!
At the last occasion, we dealt with the origin of the Belgian Malinois dog. Furthermore, you also could read about the breeding history and their appearance in that article. Continuing the description, we get to know their temperament, and some personal experience also will be mentioned. All this info is important in light of whether you choose this breed as your working mate / family companion or not. Let’s start!
About the Character of Belgian Malinois
The character of the Malinois is complex. It can be best considered as a top-power canine. We can say in general that this shepherd dog is affectionate, generous and hard-working. And, it’s playful in the circle of family.
He is loyal to his master, to the family, but especially the children. It is courageous and responsible, and has a strong protective instinct. Typically, s/he is reserved toward strangers until it knows them. The aggression isn’t their trait.
The breed is known for its attentive ability, perseverance, courage, toughness, intelligence and meaning. They make excellent watchdogs. They protect your family and property in a very convincing way if needed.
The breed is reasonably pleasant in direction of other canines and pets living under the same roof. Apart from that, the Malinois can show dominating persona, thus requires a consistent hand in keeping and training equally.
A “Light Athlete”
The Belgian Malinois actually represents a prototype of “light athlete” in the world of dogs. Due to its harmonic, lean build and light bone structure, it’s very fast and maneuverable. Speed is not only meant to move in its case.
Because of its reflexes, reactions can take place in seconds in a given situation. They told me an appalling example, a video recording, that demonstrated their “RING” work in a competition.
The Ring – where these dogs are highly successful in – is a special, freestyle guard covers sports, described simply. Here the dogs have to work varied and unpredictable life situations.
For example, full body catches are permitted. However, the maximum self-control and maneuverability are strict requirements.
An Illustration of Abilities
Well, the tape featured a Malinois, who got the task of the ‘fugitive’s capture’. The trainer sent the dog onto the sprinting training assistant, then conducted the “Leave it-Come in” order JUST BEFORE the catch.
The dog’s conduct was breathtaking. The animal has been floated in the air when the command said, but as soon as he heard the order, turned over a fraction of a second. Then with four feet stamping, pushed away from the assistant and galloped to its owner in its full power.
Well, the good Malinois can achieve such amazing performance in a competent hand. At the same time, it should be noted that all this could be brought out only with expertise, patience and hard work.
Looking Behind This Output
Well, those mighty be disappointed thinking the breed is a miracle dog who learns everything in seconds and doesn’t stop until reaching the top. It’s a false illusion to expect outstanding performance merely from the dog.
Furthermore, in case of any disappointment or failure is outright dishonesty to blame him. Just think about it; an awesome race car also cannot win, if the driver is mediocre or even worse.
In addition, the Malinois is such a “racing car” in which only equipped with steering wheel and brake. Gas pedal is not necessary at all, because the “engine” is rotating at the full speed all the time.
WARNING!
Among other things, this is the feature, which allows extraordinary results on the race track. At the same time, also because of this, it’s very easy to mess up its education.
Another feature of the Malinois is the (above mentioned) lightning-fast reaction capability. That is important to emphasize, because the instinct is very strong in this breed. Thus, it’s recommended to avoid over-exertion or early pressure in training in order to succeed.
This especially applies to the phase of security guard working, where developing the change of dog’s instinct demanded. The essence is bettering the predatory as well as guarding instinct and achieved stable switching between them.
In fact, it makes possible doing a precise and confident work, despite the different stimuli in diverse situations. It is obvious, that all this requires caution, if the reactions and changes take place in seconds.
Malinois Is Eager to Learn
Nevertheless, temperament would not simply happen. Many factors like congenital traits, socialization and training – among others – have the impact on a character. You should begin its education as soon as possible in order to evolve their extraordinary intelligence and adaptability appropriately.
The breed acquire knowledge quickly and eager to learn. The raising should not be major problems, provided that a calm atmosphere, takes place in a consistent manner. The Belgian Malinois dog should clearly feel the leading role of their owner.
If not, then one day he may decide to take over the flock – that is, control over the family. Therefore, the owner needs to be a strong personality. And besides educating the dog, s/he must carry out joint activities with him regularly.
Example of Our Own
Now, I’m fostering a Belgian Malinois puppy, until finding a new home for him. I’m spending with Larry hours brokenly due to its movement need, including at least an hour running around with other dogs.
During a week he learned properly the commands: “Listen to me,” “Sit” and “Down.” He grasped the “Listen to me” command easily within our yard, then continued in the park. The distractions and his curiosity slowed the process, of course.
I use the clicker method in training; it works well for us. Learning happens in short intervals to ensure that his attention not to go in different direction. With frequent rest periods, he can continuously obtain useful dog knowledge.
Lisa and Zizi accepted Larry into the family. He likes to run with me, enjoys to play ball, retrieve, and rampage without a leash. Later, we’ll try swimming in the river’s dead branches near us. The bad weather didn’t bother him at all.
Larry feels himself the most excellent way when we are in the dog school half-day. We are lucky because there were two different days alike, but otherwise I must organize a separate program for him.
Namely, Larry isn’t satisfied with the playing in the park one and a half hours in evenings. All in all, this Belgian Malinois puppy and I get along pretty well; he shakes up my old bones (and I love that).
To be continued with upkeep needs and health aspects next time,
Alex Sparrow
Know Dog Temperament Before Choosing
Speaking about dog temperament, we are able to determine it relatively easily. I understand under this definition every inborn and developed physical and mental characteristic and abilities. Namely, those are identified, modifies and adjusts our dog’s conduct within the natural environment. This works exactly as in the case of examining human temperament.
What is it all about in other words? To know why our canine is doing on a specific way we need to understand the traits he was genetically inherited, and his own awesome personality. So, its personality and characteristics together are summed up in his own dog disposition.
Every canine breed is well known for given basic attributes – including dog temperament. Because of this, you’ll be able to depend on this info that will help you decide on a dog whose disposition and attitude meet your own.
There are dogs with a smaller physique which are noisy and feisty in certain cases. In this respect, I remember to Tick Tock, my wire-haired Fox Terrier, how he was alert and courageous. And even tough many other larger dogs are quiet and peaceful, like my Bernese Mountain dog, Lobo was.
One fact you need to recognize as soon as possible is that you highly unlikely get your doggie to work against instincts he inherited. Therefore, it can happen you’re falling in love with a physical appearance of one breed easily. However, anticipate living with the disposition of the particular kind of canine after you brought it your household.
What Type Has a Weak Dog Temperament?
I’d like to dispel a misunderstanding. Therefore, my answer to the above question is NONE – if you, and your dog is a perfect match to each other. In other words, dog conducts, which might be annoying to you are trivial to another dog owner. And this is true in the converse case as well.
Let’s see some examples. If you’re a very active person, you’d get well with a Chihuahua or miniature Poodle or a Yorkie dog that’s merely as hyperactive as you are. And a staunch Basset Hound gifted with good, patient dog temperament can be a perfect match for a peaceful, diligent person.
Or take, for example, the Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, Irish Setter, Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. There are breeders and trainers who call these dog breeds cumbersome to train. Others have different opinion and believe that the extra work is worth the effort.
Of course, each case must be judged individually, after all two people also aren’t alike. I experienced that all individuals within a breed can be different in dog temperament aspect. Namely, you can find wildly irrespective species that care little for their master.
The Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman, Irish Terrier, Rottweiler and wire-haired Fox Terrier got the name ‘unsociable’. Possible reason is that – being independent – these breeds don’t facilitate their trainer’s work sometimes. On the other hand, they can be excellent watchdogs.
Connection Between Dog Temperament and Training Possibility
How your four-legged friend behaves relies on his variety, environment, personality, accountable breeding guidelines, dog temperament and training. If he didn’t get proper education, every dog (no matter his breed) might be risky – whether it’s a Chihuahua.
There are cases when you have good chance for training a canine, however, the personality of the particular dog is so much more unwilling. Possibly, that dog may have received an evil experience in the pet outlet caused by unskilled or unkind staffs.
That canine is responding tough to camouflage his fear of getting neglected or harmed dependent on its memories. In case your dog experienced such a bad treatment, then evidently you should dedicate a longer time to quiet down and convince him that you’re trustworthy.
He will experience that you won’t ever treat him a technique of penalty throughout training. Make no mistake, holding back your canine treat when his walking on leash is bad is rational.
But, depriving his dinner is atrocious from your part. That will simply teaches the doggie to huff you and beard you as the one technique of expression he possesses toward mistreatment.
Other Considerations Regarding Dog Temperament
No question, health issues and pain also can implicate dog temperament. A sick dog will respond differently than a healthy animal. That situation can mislead you when deciding on dog temperament.
Of course, it’s vital to grasp breed distinctness. However, it even to that extent is important to know your canine’s personage. And lastly but not last how a dog conducts is up to the owner in the first instance.
To understand what do I mean under my former sentence, I show you an example. Once I rescued a small, female mix dog from the street. She had a timid nature; I assumed due to her previous living conditions. When I found her, she was quite skinny and very scruffy.
Trixi was very suspicious of the people, had good reason to doubt, certainly. She was adopted by the food I put down around five meters away from me. And then I watched only from the corner of my eye what she was doing. Trixi ventured closer, ate the food hurry-scurry and then ran for around 30 yards and looked at me out of there.
Meantime I talked to her on a soft voice, trying to assuage its dog temperament. The story continued next day. She was waiting for the food and ate that again. During her eating, I continued my conversation with her. And, she didn’t run away but didn’t come any closer.
I also haven’t pushed the thing. Next day, the bowl with the food was nearly by my feet. I looked away, and Trixi came closer and eaten. We continued that process for a week when I first touched her. Because the last thing I wanted to do is frighten her away.
Trixi was with me for five months, and I remember her as a kind, very devoted dog.
From time to time, there’s no seeming reason regarding the dog’s odd conduct. You know, owning a dog doesn’t include any guarantees. It occurs that you obtain a dog that’s challenging to engage. And you need to either look after that dog or realize that he possesses a suitable home.
