German Shepherd / Belgian Malinois

[Derek_V]

Hello all

I was hoping you could give me a little advice between these two breeds.

My situation.
I would like a dog again, after a year or so without one. I am on the same farmyard as my (elderly) parents, and as well as a companion, I like the deterrant to intruders that a large dog provides.

So, a lot of land, preferably a large dog, I have the time to work him, and if I am not around, there are others on the yard who will look after him. The breed that came to mind is, German Shepherd. There is, however, a breeder of Belgian Malinois in my area. The Malinois are a little finer boned, and from everything I have read, are a little more 'driven'.

My biggest concern is that they will be a little too much working dog, and a little less 'pet'.

Does anyone have any experience with this breed? I love the GSD's, how do the Malinois compare?

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions on other breeds, I wold love to hear them. Please keep in mind that, given my Canadian winters a short haired dog is less desirable.

Thanks in advance!

Regards

Derek

 

[Wilpar76]

I cannot speak on the Malinois, but I can put to rest your concerns about the dogs being too much of a work dog and less of a pet. We had two German Shepherds growing up. The first was a GS/Collie mix. Champ was his name and he is the best pet I have ever had. My sister and I would play with him all the time, at times, even ride him before we got too big. He was fiercely loyal. Because of the Collie mix, he had a heavier than usual coat, but was quite a shedder. As do many of the larger "working dog" breeds, he fell victim to hip dysplasia combined with being very old. We had to put him down.

Our second GS was a pure bred female, Scarlet. She was a little wild, but still an excellent house pet. We didn't live in a big house by any means, but she (and Champ for that matter) were never cramped for space. Since you are one a farm, it does not sound like space will be an issue.

All in all, GS's are great dogs. You will have to train them, which is relatively easy to do compared to some other breeds.

Good luck.

 

[blary54]

Ive heard that Malinois(aka Belgian Shepherd) personalities are more serious than German Shepherd's. Malinois are a better working dog while German Shepherd make a better pet.(each dog is different though)

Both are smart breeds but German Shepherds rank at number 3 for intelligence.(#1 being border collie...and that's what I would own if I had a farm).

I don't have a dog but I foster shelter dogs at my house. We just had a Golden Retriever/ German Shepherd mix. Talk about a good combo of breeds.
...anyway either the GS or BS are a good choice. You may also want to consider a Rottweiler. These dogs are also working dogs and would be great for a farm. (actually used by the Romans to protect and herd cattle). Just get a bad rap because they are so powerful. I would also consider a Border Collie, Boxer,Lab, or Golden Retriever.

Also you don't have to get a pure bred dog...sometimes mutts make the best pets. Maybe check out some shelters. Save you some money and maybe saving a dogs life.

 

[Sparq]

I know I am off topic here but take a look at the Estrela mountain dog, it could be a great match for your needs (I wish I had one). http://www.dogbreedslists.com/estrela-mountain-estrela-mountain-puppies.html

I had a Leonberger that was very sweet yet commanding great respect thanks to its size but they tend to prefer sleeping in your bed rather than outside.

Edit: one more video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWAEZIhLfU&feature=related

 

[Derek_V]

Not off topic at all Sparq! Talk about a beautiful dog... I wasn't familiar with the Estrellas. First glance at the pictures made me think Caucasian or Tibetan Mastiff, but the article describe a more relaxed tempermant. (A little further removed from the 'wild' state)

Between the GSD and the Malinois, more research reveals that the Malinois can be a bit more 'driven', but upbringing and socializing have a lot to do with it. The timetable for getting a pup has relaxed a little too, I have been in contact with several more GSD and Malinois breeders... decisions decisions...

I'll post the puppy when she arrives, I can't wait.

Take care all

Derek

 

[13th Duke of Wymbourne]

As an alternative please consider a Rhodesian Ridgeback, shorter haired but very hardy.

 

[goby]

I slightly disagree. I'm a Doberman lover, and there are Dobies that have the personalities of Labs, and there are Dobies that are working dogs who NEED a job. My laid back Dobie was fine just kicking back, watching Mork and Mindy with me. My working Dobie wanted to go out and do something.

Both were amazing, and both were great dogs. But if I was a little old lady in an apartment, the working Dobie would have gone crazy. More drive is not necessarily a good thing. And a Doberman (of German Shepard) with the personality of Lab is still going to be a scary dog.

BTW, I got both dogs from a Doberman Rescue. You should check out rescue dogs. They are amazing. And I knew exactly what I was getting. Dobie #1 came from a family would had to give him up because they were saving for baby Invitro fertilization and could not afford him. Dobie #2 came from a lady who physically could not take care of her. They were both amazing dogs, never abused, and came trained.

 

[Phog Allen]

Very interesting thread. German Shepherds, or Alsatians as our English friends would call them, are one of my favourite breeds. I had one growing up as a kid and he was the biggest baby I have ever seen. He was so worthless if a burglar would have given him one treat he would have helped him carry off the house. Well...maybe. He also had a certain sense about people.

I didn't realise it till years later after an uncle told me but the dog would always keep himself between grown men and us kids. I don't think he would have attacked them if he sensed we weren't scared but looking back I do remember him giving some guys an odd eye. He was a black and brown with more black on his face than brown. He was gorgeous. I also remember that he was very protective of women. The same uncle told me the dog watched him all the time when his wife (my favourite aunt btw) was in the yard with us. Swede is a good guy and very gentle so I think the dog really liked him. It was just instinct to protect weaker from stronger. Good old dog.

Another thing I did not understand till years later is that GS's were very nearly ruined by the show dog crowd. People were trying to breed these perfectly marked, super sized shepherds and that is where the hip dysplasia comes in. At least that is what one very passionate Sherpherd breeder told me. My dog was perfectly sized and shaped. He went about 27 inches at the shoulders and about 24-25 at the hips. He weighed about sixty to sixty five pounds which again, is or at least was, the normal shepherd size. He never showed the first signs of hip dysplasia in his eleven years. He died quietly in his sleep.

I would also second the idea of a Shepherd/Collie mix. Wonderful dogs if disciplined and well trained.

Regards, Todd

 

[Big Kev]

From what I have experienced the Malinois are a very dedicated working dog. They are very smart, probably right up there in smartness with the Shepard. I do not know any one that has one as a pet. I work in a field where the Malinois are becoming more and more popular. They are incredibly strong for their size, and very loyal to their owner.

As a dog lover I am not sure I would want one as a pet. I have a lab pit maybe lab boxer mix, maybe some thing else, we got her from a shelter as a puppy. When me and my wife thought that pit could be a possibility we started working with our dog from the beginning to socialize her. We payed special attention to this and wanted a dog we could take any where with us. Our dog is great around people, kids, and other dogs, no so much cats though. But she is still protective of us and our house. She rarely barks, only when she thinks she needs to. If she does bark it is about some thing that I should go and check out. I was sleeping a few weeks ago and we had a comcast worker in our back yard. She was barking and growling, and woke me up. She did her job. But she rarely barks if some one comes to the front door if we are awake.

If you are going to consider the Malinois, I would do as much research as you can about them. From what I know they are maybe not the best pet. I would lean more toward the Shepard. Let us know what you get. I like the Malinois, I think they are very cool dogs, but I see them as more of a working dog.

 

[priceyslicey]

I know that this thread is five years old. However, for anyone who stumbles across it I would like to give the following information.

I have a Belgian Malinois full bred, Atticus. She is about 3 years old, and the sweetest dog I have ever had! We did a lot of training with her, and she picked it up quickly. Even though she is so big she is quite cuddly. The first time she saw a baby she played down on her stomach and army crawled up to it. Often we foster kittens, or other dogs from our local shelter and Atticus is always the "mommy" or "big sister" showing them the ropes around the house. She does have a protective side. Whenever we are asleep she does regular perimeter checks, and alerts us when there is something of question. We live in a city without much property so we take her to the lake or fields to run around, but she is perfectly content snuggling on the couch. We couldn't have gotten a better dog. Much of this is due to the way she was raised. Lots of socialization, regular training, ect. Atticus is a much more "driven" dog than our lab. However, to address the concerns with the Malinois work ethic taking away from her pet qualities I would say it is the complete opposite. In our case, Atticus' job is to protect the house and be loving. I think she takes all of her drive to work, and puts it into loving us.(I know how crazy that sounds) I have had many dogs in my years, and none of them are like Atticus. She needs a lot of attention. But in a loving way. She always wants to lick us, or cuddle. My local shelter owner had a few Malinois in her past, and she agrees that like our Atticus they are extremely sensitive dogs. No harsh punishment is necessary, you can tell from the expressive face what they are feeling. The only caution I have against these beauties is that when they get bored the working side goes into over drive and they are destructive. No matter how much training Atticus has gone through, when she is left alone for more than an hour she has to go into her crate.

I just thought I would share my experience!