Today I would like to introduce you to the Malinois dog breed. This breed is one of the most popular working dogs and is often used as a police or military dog. But also as a sport or family dog Malinois is a good choice.

History of the breed

The Malinois is one of the four Belgian sheepdog breeds and originates from the city of Mechelen in Belgium. Since the beginning of the 19th century, he was bred to protect and guard flocks of sheep. Later, he was used as a police and military dog, as his intelligence, speed and toughness make him ideally suited for this purpose.

Appearance of the Malinois

The Malinois has a strong, muscular build and a short, dense coat that can come in various shades from sand to chocolate brown. His eyes are brown and have an alert, intelligent expression.

The Malinois is a medium-sized dog whose height at the withers ranges from 60 to 66 cm for males, and from 56 to 62 cm for females. He weighs between 25 and 40 kg.

Character and behavior

The Malinois is a very active and hard-working dog that needs constant occupation. He is very intelligent and willing to learn, which makes him an excellent working dog. He is also very loyal and protective of his master and family.

However, as a family dog, the Malinois is not for everyone. He needs an active and experienced owner who can give him enough physical and mental exercise. In addition, he should be trained early and consistently, otherwise he can become dominant and stubborn.

Education and training

The Malinois is an intelligent dog that loves to learn and work. Therefore, it is important to regularly offer him new tasks and challenges. He should also be introduced to consistent education and training at an early age to avoid undesirable behaviors.

An important part of the education of the Malinois is training. Here he can be trained, for example, in the field of agility, obedience or Schutzdienst. It is important that the training is always positively reinforcing, to give the dog joy in the work.

Health

As with any dog breed, there are certain health problems with the Malinois that should be watched out for. These include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and eye disease. It is therefore advisable to buy a Malinois from an experienced breeder who pays attention to the health of the animals and has them examined regularly.

Conclusion

The Malinois is an active, intelligent and hard-working dog, which is particularly suitable as a police or military dog. As a family dog, however, it is not suitable for everyone, as it requires a lot of exercise and mental activity. He should also be educated and trained at an early age to avoid undesirable behaviors. However, with the right conditions, the Malinois can become a great companion and loyal friend.