It surprised people to know that the Belgian Malinois is a herding dog, like the German shepherd. However, they are quite different in structure and temperament. Not only are they smaller than the German shepherd, they also have an entirely unique nature. They are highly intelligent, which helps them excel as guard dogs, search-and-rescue dogs and police dogs.
So, are Belgian Malinois dogs dangerous?
Malinois are lovely dogs and make for splendid companions, but in the wrong hands they can cause a bit more trouble than many other breeds of similar size.
They have a bite force of 195 PSI–that might not seem like much but for a dog of only 25-30 kilos and height of about 66 cm (about 24 to 26 inches) it’s quite remarkable. It means that the Malinois has one of the highest bite forces in proportion to its size and weight.
Are Belgian Malinois hard to own and train?
No. But they are definitely not for everyone. The breed requires a lot of exercise, attention, and socialization. They are highly intelligent and energetic, which is why they are used in police and military work. A Belgian Malinois that is not properly socialized can become aggressive towards strangers or other animals.
There is no reason an average person can’t own a Malinois puppy and train them to be obedient pet dogs. However, it is important to know what kind of dog a Malinois is so you don’t end up with one more shelter dog whose owner couldn’t handle them. It’s not fair to the dog or to people who have done their research and invested time and money into training their Malinois properly.
A Malinois is a working dog. This means you need to devote a good chunk of time to training them every day, whether it’s going to obedience class, teaching them new tricks at home, or taking them for hikes/runs/jogs. If you don’t have the time for this, I would recommend looking into another breed.
”I would also recommend looking into other breeds if you have small children in the house. A Malinios may be too much for young kids to handle (and vice versa). My 3-year-old daughter loves my dog, and he loves her back, but I am constantly monitoring when they’re together (as I do with my baby). My dog has zero aggression issues and is very well trained but I still don’t let him jump on people or get rough with the kids because he’s big enough to hurt someone without meaning to”, said a proud Belgian Malinois owner.
If you’re interested in getting a Malinois puppy, find a breeder that specializes in working dogs. You can find them by researching the IPO clubs available in your area. Get on their email lists and let it be known that you are looking for a working line puppy. They will get back to you when they have litters coming up that fit your requirements (age, sex, etc.). The breeders will also be able to answer questions about the breed that you may have and help guide you through finding the right puppy for you.
Can I kill a Belgian Malinois with my bare hands?
If it’s a puppy, yes. But even then, you’d have to be pretty determined and kind of lucky.
If it’s an adult, no. This is one of the toughest dog breeds in the world, and they are used to taking down people. They’re also used to take down animals as big as wolves and bears. I don’t think you’d stand much chance against one of them with just your bare hands. If a Malinois were going to kill me, I think he’d probably just use his teeth.
Also, this is not intended to scare you away from Malinois. They are magnificent dogs and very loyal and affectionate when properly trained and socialized. But it’s important that you know what you’re getting into if you decide to get one for yourself, especially since they are not appropriate for first-time owners and inexperienced handlers.
Is the Belgian Malinois aggressive?
So, no, the Belgian Malinois is not an aggressive dog. But that doesn’t mean it will be a good pet for everyone.
The Malinois is a working dog and requires a lot of exercise and activity. It can become destructive if left alone too long. This breed was developed to herd sheep, so it may not do well with other small pets such as cats or rabbits.
It is also the breed most often used in police and military work, so you must be prepared to spend a lot of time training your Mal to be obedient and not to jump at every opportunity to attack someone who comes near you. The Belgian Malinois needs consistent training throughout its life to keep it from becoming bored or anxious.
Why does my Belgian Malinois show aggression toward other dogs?
There are a few reasons dogs may show aggression toward other dogs, and the reasons for showing aggression vary from one dog to another.
Genetics
Belgian Malinois are high energy herding dogs who are bred for intense working conditions. They can be extremely excitable under certain circumstances and may exhibit high levels of aggression in those situations. They were bred to work in large groups where they would need the ability to be extremely assertive when necessary without being intimidated by other dogs.
Lack of socialization
Lack of socialization is another common cause of dog-on-dog aggression. This happens when a puppy doesn’t have time to interact with other dogs when it is young and is still learning how to behave around them. Puppies who don’t get this opportunity can become fearful and act aggressively when they encounter other dogs as adults. If we expose a puppy to many types of people and environments while it is young, it will be better prepared for those situations as an adult.
Playfulness
A third reason for canine aggression is playfulness. Some dogs that have been so well trained that they do not understand playtime behaviors such as chasing another dog or barking at them from a distance can be quite frightening for some people and make them fear for their safety.
Will the Belgian Malinois bite its master?
Yes, they can. Because of poor training or lack of training or no training at all.
I have seen a few Malinois bite their owners and I know that there are more than a few out there that have done it.
Belgian Malinois are very intelligent dogs and require a lot of attention and exercise. If you don’t give them the attention that they need then they will act out and do whatever they want to get it.
Without proper training and exercise the Malinois can be very destructive to the point of even hurting itself or its owner.
The Malinois is a very high-drive dog who needs a job to do at all times. This is not a couch potato dog! If you are looking for a cuddly lap dog, this is not the breed for you. If you can’t handle an energetic dog who will constantly want to work and exercise (yes, even into older age) don’t get this breed. They are not for everyone.
Are the Belgian Malinoises good around children?
When socialized, Mals are great with children.
However, a Belgian Malinois dog that isn’t socialized from an early age can be a terror for neighborhood children, who may not have ever met a dog before and might not understand what they’re seeing. The dog will bark at them. The dog might get excited when it sees them running around and might chase them to use its speed to get to them first.
Also, it is important to understand that Mals are very protective of their family and property. They don’t mix well with strangers at first, but you can teach them to accept well-meaning visitors. But they can also be overly protective of their people and property, such as snapping at someone who gets too close or enters the “territory” without permission.
This is not necessarily a poor trait for a watchdog and guardian, but you must temper it in your dog by early socialization (as a pup) and constant supervision (as an adult).
Will the Belgian Malinois get along with other pets?
The short answer is that it depends on the individual dog, but Belgian Malinois can get along with other pets.
For a Malinois to get along with another pet, he will need to be raised with them from a young age. He will also need proper socialization and training to learn that the other animals are to be respected as part of the family.
However, like other herding breeds, the Malinois has a high prey drive, so you’ll need to keep him away from smaller animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters. The Malinois also has a strong protective instinct — he’s highly trainable and makes a great guard dog.
Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherd, which is better?
This is a question that has been around for quite a while and has many answers. I was originally going to do an article on this, but I thought it would be better to provide the data and let people draw their own conclusions. So, here is the information:
Size
Belgian Malinois are smaller than German Shepherds. The German Shepherd is about 30% larger than the Belgian Malinois.
Protection
Belgian Malinois are known for being highly protective of their owner/family. They can be very aggressive and defensive of their territory (beware of territorial dogs). German Shepherds are not as protective or aggressive. According to reports from police officers, German Shepherds are more likely to pursue their prey than other breeds of dogs.
Intelligence
Both breeds have very high intelligence levels, but you can’t judge intelligence by size and weight. Both breeds are more intelligent than the average dog. Because of their high level of intelligence, both breeds require an owner who will train them properly. However, the Belgian Malinois needs to be trained with a firm hand. If not, he may become aggressive towards other dogs and people.
Exercise
The Belgian Malinois has more energy than the German Shepherd, so it needs to be taken out for daily exercise and walks.
Conclusions
So, is the Belgian Malinois dog dangerous? The short answer is yes. And as a vet, I’m going to tell you why:
First off, there is nothing wrong with this breed. They are intelligent, highly trainable working dogs that are very athletic, and protective.
The biggest problems arise when they are not properly trained and socialized. They can be on guard at all times and will protect their family and property. This makes them extremely dangerous in the home if not properly trained because they can inflict serious damage to both people and pets. They have very high prey drive so small animals such as cats are treated like prey and may not be safe around a Belgian Malinois.
They do best with an experienced leader who can teach them how to behave appropriately. If you don’t know how to handle this type of dog – take your time to study up on training techniques that you WILL need in order to keep your dog safe in public situations and around other animals/people.