Belguim Malinois owners

[Graves]

Didn't really see a thread primarily about dogs or anything, just some members sharing their fur babies. Anyone else on here big into dogs, specifically Malinois? Here is Jackson with my wife and I. He is a 1 year old Mal that we got from a breeder in West Palm Beach, FL. He is 76lbs of pure energy. I dealt mainly with GSDs and this is our first Malinois. I absolutely love this breed; however, if you assume they are anything like GSDs like I did, you are sadly mistaken, lol. Night and day difference concerning temperament and energy. Both are simply amazing breeds just not one and the same.

My wife and I have held off training him because of advice from fellow Mal owners, but I recognized right away that he lacked the maturity for any real training. I did some minor plank training with him and leash handling, but that is about it. We are hands off with training for about another 6 months. Most Mal's mature around the 18 month mark and are usually more receptive to training. They can be trained at any age, but it was strongly encouraged that I let him be a puppy and mature where it was the exact opposite with my GSDs. Anyhow, here he is along with a picture of my last and favorite dog of all time, Abby. She was the most amazing GSD.

Oh, if anyone familiar with this breed has any advice I welcome it.

[Foggins]

Reasonably familiar with Mals as I grew up with GSD’s and the physical similarities are remarkable. Started to read up on them several years ago.

Fast forward to today and we have an 8 lb mixed dog that can barely make it around the block

[Graves]

Originally Posted by FrozenAg

Reasonably familiar with Mals as I grew up with GSD’s and the physical similarities are remarkable. Started to read up on them several years ago.

Fast forward to today and we have an 8 lb mixed dog that can barely make it around the block

LMFAO!!!

[P1]

*Belgian

[Graves]

Originally Posted by P1et

*Belgian

Lmao, good pick up. I've been up all night on 24hr Duty. Didn't even notice.

[Joekerr]

Where are the pictures? Love GSD's.

[Graves]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Where are the pictures? Love GSD's.

They're showing on my phone, but not on the site. I don't get it.

[Graves]

Jackson

[Graves]

Abby, my old GSD. R.I.P.

[Joekerr]

Nice, I see the photos now, great pics!

Malinois is interesting - but are you saying they can't do basic training till 18 months? I reined my Lab in by about 5 months where he had the basics down of sit, come, down, stay, etc...just the stuff needed to have a reasonably well behaved dog.

[Graves]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Nice, I see the photos now, great pics!

Malinois is interesting - but are you saying they can't do basic training till 18 months? I reined my Lab in by about 5 months where he had the basics down of sit, come, down, stay, etc...just the stuff needed to have a reasonably well behaved dog.

No, you can train them, it was suggested to let him be a puppy and allow him to mature. Each pup is different. Jackson is off the walls 24/7, it's insane. He can sits, platz, and here. That's where I stopped though.

[F32Fleet]

About a year ago I saw one of these dogs in restaurant. It was young and in training as a dog for SF. Great dog. Just curled up and watched patrons mill around. IMO these dogs are on a short list of breeds which are a close match to the original GSD standard.

[wrickem]

What a beautiful dog. I hope you all have a long happy life together.

[Graves]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

About a year ago I saw one of these dogs in restaurant. It was young and in training as a dog for SF. Great dog. Just curled up and watched patrons mill around. IMO these dogs are on a short list of breeds which are a close match to the original GSD standard.

Yeah, they're amazing. Intelligence is through the roof. He's a ton of fun but a lot of work.

[positiveions]

BeAutiful dog and breed. I purchased a GSD puppy last year. He started to get attached to me. However, he started become aggressive with my step daughter, and the cat... that was a whole different story.
I could see it in him at 5 month old they are begging to be trained. He was learning bad habits. Had to spend extra time with him teaching him stuff, but it was constant repetition.. Long story short, I ended up selling him to my friend at work who has 3 GSD and 3 acres worth of land.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Ohhh....YES !

[Graves]

Yesterday on our walk.

[Graves]

Took him to the vet for a check up. He's 87lbs, I couldn't believe it. Just solid as a rock. He will be in Germany soon and I cannot wait to turn up his training there.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Graves

Took him to the vet for a check up. He's 87lbs, I couldn't believe it. Just solid as a rock. He will be in Germany soon and I cannot wait to turn up his training there.

The Belgian Malinois is in general prone to hip dysplasia and premature wear and tear of the back !
Usually they pass away while they are only 8-9 years old from paralysis symptoms !
Same thing with the German shepherd .

Advice :
87 lbs is actually too heavy . 77 lbs would be much better to spare his hips and back.
A Glucosamine supplement is adviced to avoid the above..

I wish you the best of luck

[Graves]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The Belgian Malinois is in general prone to hip dysplasia and premature wear and tear of the back !
Usually they pass away while they are only 8-9 years old from paralysis symptoms !

Advice :
87 lbs is actually too heavy . 77 lbs would be much better to spare his hips and back.
A Glucosamine supplement is adviced to avoid the above..

I wish you the best of luck

When he was 77lbs he was too skinny. You could see all his ribs. At 87lbs you can only see 2-3 ribs which is what my breeder/trainer said is perfect.

Malinois are more prone to blindness than they are hip issues. GSDs are very well known for that. But, I hear what you're saying. The vet says he's great and in perfect health and in great shape. I'll get another opinion though, can't hurt. He also comes from great breeding, I mean great breeding. His father is 85lbs and his mother is 76lbs. They are both Schutzhund III dogs and KNPV PH1 champion dogs.

Pic one is Mom. Pic 2 is Dad, pic 3 is Jackson.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Graves

When he was 77lbs he was too skinny. You could see all his ribs. At 87lbs you can only see 2-3 ribs which is what my breeder/trainer said is perfect.

Malinois are more prone to blindness than they are hip issues. GSDs are very well known for that. But, I hear what you're saying. The vet says he's great and in perfect health and in great shape. I'll get another opinion though, can't hurt. He also comes from great breeding, I mean great breeding. His father is 85lbs and his mother is 76lbs. They are both Schutzhund III dogs and KNPV PH1 champion dogs.

Pic one is Mom. Pic 2 is Dad, pic 3 is Jackson.

OK I see . I mean when they are older and suffer from overweight..
Strange . Over here in Belgium I hear nothing from blindness .
Jackson looks great ! Thanks for sharing

Note : I had *Dina* It was a black *Riesenschnauzer* May she RIP
Still miss her everyday !

[Graves]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

OK I see . I mean when they are older and suffer from overweight..
Strange . Over here in Belgium I hear nothing from blindness .
Jackson looks great ! Thanks for sharing

Note : I had *Dina* It was a black *Riesenschnauzer* May she RIP
Still miss her everyday !

Oh no I'm so sorry. That's so sad. My heart aches for you.

Yeah, I guess Malinois develop blindness or eyes issues. I know hey can have hip issues, just not as bad as GSDs. That's why I tried a Malinois this time.