Belgian Malinois

Saying that the Belgian Malinois is high in energy is truly an understatement. This dog will go with you on your 10km morning run, and while you’re panting for air by the end of it, they’ll be wondering why the warm-up was so short that day. The Malinois truly has an incredible stamina level and will love nothing more than going out on a long hike in nature with their people. If you take them on a hike, you will notice that they will always lead the way, and you will rarely see them veer off of the trail.

These Mid-Sized dogs originated in the 1800s from Malines, Belgium, hence their name. They were originally bred to herd but have become extremely popular as military and police dogs. Their combination of intelligence, speed, stamina, and overall drive to work makes them the ideal candidate. They are slowly replacing dogs like the German Shepherd in the military as their smaller size, weighing between 40-85 pounds, makes them a lot more versatile, and they are also far less likely to have hip problems.

The way that these dogs behave is largely based on how they were raised as puppies. They can be extremely friendly and playful if they are raised in a social environment, but can also be very aggressive if they were more isolated as pups. Training them from an early age is essential if you would like to have a well-behaved pup. These dogs are not typically recommended for novice dog owners as they can be intense and require a lot of dedication from their owners. If your Malinois is trained well, they will make unbelievably loyal companions. They will always be on high alert, and you can be sure that nobody will even come close to your front door without being met by their intimidating bark.

The Malinois is an exciting dog to have at home, and their high intelligence will continuously surprise you. They are quick learners and will always be ready to learn a new trick. The Malinois can also make an amazing family dog, and they will become very attached to their people. They will be highly protective of their family and will want to be a part of every activity. The key to success when raising a Malinois is taking them for intense exercise daily. If you think you can get away with leaving these dogs at home all day alone, you can be sure that your living room couch will pay a heavy price.

Instagram Photo Permission: @dovscanines