[Esther]

I can't decide between a Belgian shepherd malinois and a dutch shepherd. Whats the difference between the two regarding temperament, size, look and trainability?

I'm looking to have a companion/protection dog since I'm alone a lot.

Thanks

 

[Brightelf]

Welcome to the board!

To be perfectly honest, if you are asking differences-- you possibly *may* not want to get one just yet. You may wish to research, meet dogs, etc a bit more before settling. These are not only not dogs for a beginner.. they are not even dogs for experienced "pet folks". Here's why:

The most extreme Mals and Dutchies are insanely hyperactive, attention span of a gnat, nervous-nervous-nervous, bite because something moved/breathed/hiccuped, can't sit still, fall apart during traumatic events such as thunderstorms and you using the blender in the kitchen, bite the meter reader/your fave guest/ the vet/ Aunt Edna because they zigged when the dog thought they should have zagged, and have very obvious nervous breakdowns when an owner tries to do something foreign to these dogs, like, relax.

Less extreme Mals and Dutchies do exist. They are wonderful dogs for people who have a gargantuan amount of involvement with their dogs and a very suportive dogsport club to provide outlets and assistance with such bright but challenging breeds. Still-- not a dog for a casual pet owner, even one curious about dogsports.. this is a dog to research, meet, and meet again and again.. learn how people live with them.. and then make your choice if this is for you. Best bet if a beginner to these breeds is determined: Breed rescue, perhaps a middle aged adult to selected to fit your activity level, lifestyle, level of expertise.

The differences between these breeds are small. The Dutchie has brindled stripes, the Mal has a fawn coat usually, with a black facial mask. Both are, in theory, equally trainable-- provided you find a dogsport club with experience. Pet type trainers will not know how to handle these super-intelligent, oftentimes insanely driven, dogs who are now bred mainly for sport and all the exaggeration of temperament, drives, impulse control (or lack thereof) that creates the spectacular flash-and-dash on the field.

Again, for your very first Dutchie or Mal, yu may wish to go through breed rescue and find a middle-aged adult. Or, throw caution to the wind-- find a puppy, and get a whopping huge amount of support from a dogsport club.. or two. Regardless, these are breeds needing research done in person, meeting the dogs often on a regular basis... not just a visit to a breeder's.

Good luck! These are smart dogs, and very beautiful. The most mellow of them are still more high octane than one might expect.

 

[Esther]

Thanks for all the info. It really helped. With all that said how are gsd? Are they as high maintenance as Mal and dutchies?

I'm self employed and I will be taking my new baby everywhere I go that allows a dog. He will be with me everyday at work.

 

[BlackPuppy]

I have a GSD/Dutchie mix and a Malinois. These two both are a handful. I never had a pure GSD, but there's a saying.

"A Malinois is a GSD on speed."

Seriously, I almost thought I'd have to send my Malinois back, but after a year we finally worked things out. LOL!

Hope that helps!

 

[JasperLoki]

Originally Posted By: OtisThanks for all the info. It really helped. With all that said how are gsd? Are they as high maintenance as Mal and dutchies?

I'm self employed and I will be taking my new baby everywhere I go that allows a dog. He will be with me everyday at work.

No dog is high maintenance, the question comes down to you having the time and total commitment to raise, train and maintain a healthy and sound (in the mind) dog ?

Besides taking to just work, training, and maybe a sport would be great

Also, spend as much time as possible on this forum, research every thread topic that will help guide you, and you will be fine.

Also, I suggest this book, it's not breed specific, but it will help you raise a great dog (regardless of what you have raised in the past).

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB790

After you find books you like on that sight, then go to Amazon, they are usually cheaper, but with dogwise, you can find all sorts of good authors, and will help you in the direction you are heading.

BTW, A light switch goes on

at about 12 months of age, so be prepared. Along with many other changes along the way, and through the first years of their lives, up until their adults

They are a life long commitment

So you are at the right place,

P.S. Also think about someone amped up on Red Bull, and somone not, that is kind of a difference

 

[Eranez]

No way are Malinois High maintenance, hyper, etc.
My grandparents had a Purebred when my mother and her siblings were 10-18, he would follow them whenever they went in the backyard to play, never had to be put on a leash, never chewed anything up or had any "breakdowns", friendly with strangers. Although he did hate black people. I mean literally, he would see one and go insane, snarling, snapping, barking, howling when we let him chase them down. He was the most racist animal i've ever met.
But he was such a good guarddog, they never needed a door bell. As soon as someone set foot on the property he would bark, slowly and lowly at first, then louder if they came closer. Although he would shutup if you told him to hush.
Anyways, i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old, it was his time) but he would follow me around the same way he did my mother. He had a odd foot fedish though, if you would sit down to read/use the computer/watch tv, he would lay at your feet and lick them for hours.

I'm aware a lot of this is babbling, but i can't stress enough how opposite this dog was of what i see said above.
And yes, i'm positive he was a malinois, purebred, they had him DNA tested.

 

[LaRen616]

No way are Malinois High maintenance, hyper, etc.
My grandparents had a Purebred when my mother and her siblings were 10-18, he would follow them whenever they went in the backyard to play, never had to be put on a leash, never chewed anything up or had any "breakdowns", friendly with strangers. Although he did hate black people. I mean literally, he would see one and go insane, snarling, snapping, barking, howling when we let him chase them down. He was the most racist animal i've ever met.
But he was such a good guarddog, they never needed a door bell. As soon as someone set foot on the property he would bark, slowly and lowly at first, then louder if they came closer. Although he would shutup if you told him to hush.
Anyways, i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old, it was his time) but he would follow me around the same way he did my mother. He had a odd foot fedish though, if you would sit down to read/use the computer/watch tv, he would lay at your feet and lick them for hours.

I'm aware a lot of this is babbling, but i can't stress enough how opposite this dog was of what i see said above.
And yes, i'm positive he was a malinois, purebred, they had him DNA tested.

I'm disgusted :nono:

 

[LaRen616]

I have heard from several people that have owned both GSD's and Malinois and they all say that their Mal has alot more drive and energy than their GSD.

I could never get a Malinois, they scare the out of me! :lurking:

 

[elisabeth_00117]

We have a few Mals at our club and I have to say, they are insane!

They are very high energy, have extreme focus on their handler, as someone else said, their threshold is very short (fall apart from the simpliest of things - rain, correction from handler, etc.).

I think they can be a good dog for some people... BUT... you better understand, know and have researched that breed before hand.

 

[elisabeth_00117]

Originally Posted by Eranez
No way are Malinois High maintenance, hyper, etc.
My grandparents had a Purebred when my mother and her siblings were 10-18, he would follow them whenever they went in the backyard to play, never had to be put on a leash, never chewed anything up or had any "breakdowns", friendly with strangers. Although he did hate black people. I mean literally, he would see one and go insane, snarling, snapping, barking, howling when we let him chase them down. He was the most racist animal i've ever met.
But he was such a good guarddog, they never needed a door bell. As soon as someone set foot on the property he would bark, slowly and lowly at first, then louder if they came closer. Although he would shutup if you told him to hush.
Anyways, i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old, it was his time) but he would follow me around the same way he did my mother. He had a odd foot fedish though, if you would sit down to read/use the computer/watch tv, he would lay at your feet and lick them for hours.

I'm aware a lot of this is babbling, but i can't stress enough how opposite this dog was of what i see said above.
And yes, i'm positive he was a malinois, purebred, they had him DNA tested.





Wow.. I am speechless.. I agree I am totally disgusted by the post.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

 

[gsdraven]

No way are Malinois High maintenance, hyper, etc.
My grandparents had a Purebred when my mother and her siblings were 10-18, he would follow them whenever they went in the backyard to play, never had to be put on a leash, never chewed anything up or had any "breakdowns", friendly with strangers. Although he did hate black people. I mean literally, he would see one and go insane, snarling, snapping, barking, howling when we let him chase them down. He was the most racist animal i've ever met.
But he was such a good guarddog, they never needed a door bell. As soon as someone set foot on the property he would bark, slowly and lowly at first, then louder if they came closer. Although he would shutup if you told him to hush.
Anyways, i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old, it was his time) but he would follow me around the same way he did my mother. He had a odd foot fedish though, if you would sit down to read/use the computer/watch tv, he would lay at your feet and lick them for hours.

I'm aware a lot of this is babbling, but i can't stress enough how opposite this dog was of what i see said above.
And yes, i'm positive he was a malinois, purebred, they had him DNA tested.

How many other Malinois have you known? There is an exception to every rule. Not trying to be argumentative but it seems you knew that dog as a senior when he had calmed down.

The people offering advice have lots of experience and know what they are talking about. Could you find a mellow Mal? Probably, but the majority of them are a lot of work.

 

[ruger]

Originally Posted by Eranez
No way are Malinois High maintenance, hyper, etc.
My grandparents had a Purebred when my mother and her siblings were 10-18, he would follow them whenever they went in the backyard to play, never had to be put on a leash, never chewed anything up or had any "breakdowns", friendly with strangers. Although he did hate black people. I mean literally, he would see one and go insane, snarling, snapping, barking, howling when we let him chase them down. He was the most racist animal i've ever met.
But he was such a good guarddog, they never needed a door bell. As soon as someone set foot on the property he would bark, slowly and lowly at first, then louder if they came closer. Although he would shutup if you told him to hush.
Anyways, i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old, it was his time) but he would follow me around the same way he did my mother. He had a odd foot fedish though, if you would sit down to read/use the computer/watch tv, he would lay at your feet and lick them for hours.

I'm aware a lot of this is babbling, but i can't stress enough how opposite this dog was of what i see said above.
And yes, i'm positive he was a malinois, purebred, they had him DNA tested.





Wow.. I am speechless.. I agree I am totally disgusted by the post.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

looks like a troll to me especially since this thread was 2 year old before that post.

 

[GSDAlphaMom]

i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old

No dog is going to be insanely hyper at 18 yrs (you stated you only knew him his last few years). As for your other comment, I won't dignify acknowledging it.

 

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by Eranez
No way are Malinois High maintenance, hyper, etc.
My grandparents had a Purebred when my mother and her siblings were 10-18, he would follow them whenever they went in the backyard to play, never had to be put on a leash, never chewed anything up or had any "breakdowns", friendly with strangers. Although he did hate black people. I mean literally, he would see one and go insane, snarling, snapping, barking, howling when we let him chase them down. He was the most racist animal i've ever met.
But he was such a good guarddog, they never needed a door bell. As soon as someone set foot on the property he would bark, slowly and lowly at first, then louder if they came closer. Although he would shutup if you told him to hush.
Anyways, i only knew him for a few years before he had to get put down (was 18, eyesight almost gone, hips horrible, just incredibly old, it was his time) but he would follow me around the same way he did my mother. He had a odd foot fedish though, if you would sit down to read/use the computer/watch tv, he would lay at your feet and lick them for hours.

I'm aware a lot of this is babbling, but i can't stress enough how opposite this dog was of what i see said above.
And yes, i'm positive he was a malinois, purebred, they had him DNA tested.

Wow.. I am speechless.. I agree I am totally disgusted by the post.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

Why should anyone be ashamed? All she was doing is reporting what occured and what the dog was like.

My grandmother in law was a southern Georgia resident with a big GSD a long time ago and that dog also did not like black folks and would bark like crazy whenerver one came by the house - he had been raised to bark at them.

 

[Catu]

Why should anyone be ashamed? All she was doing is reporting what occured and what the dog was like.

My grandmother in law was a southern Georgia resident with a big GSD a long time ago and that dog also did not like black folks and would bark like crazy whenerver one came by the house - he had been raised to bark at them.

And she did let her GSD chase them down too?

 

[elisabeth_00117]

And she did let her GSD chase them down too?

That was exactly my point.

It sounded like the person was happy that her dog did this to people, she allowed it to happen.

 

[BlackPuppy]

My Doerak (black dog) was afraid of black people. He was just never socialized.

Since this thread started 2 years ago, I've seen many more examples of Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. When I got a Dutch Shepherd, I went to Europe and found a family dog. He's is a sweetie, loves to kiss. Just lays around eating his bone until he gets zoomies.

As far as the temperament of Malinois and Dutch Shepherds, it all depends on who you get the dog from and what the parents are like and what lines they are bred from.

The UKC Belgian Shepherd National is near Ann Arbor this October. Nice place to get up close and personal with all the Belgians.

http://www.ubsda.com/

 

[codmaster]

And she did let her GSD chase them down too?

Not usually - that was against the law.

 

[keark]

If someone does not know their dog as well or cannot read their dog, they might make assumptions to something like racism when it is actually just fear. Or their dog might have barked at white people as well and just not noticed it as much. I had a college friend tell me that his shepherd growing up didn't like black people. He also grew up in a very well to do burb of Chicago where there were not many black people. He is by no means racist. He just made an observation of his dog's reaction. There could be many factors as to why he thought that but I never took it as him being racist.
I know my gsd doesn't like new people. I never really stop and look at their background. I do know that if I am nervous about being in a new placen or meeting new people, my dog can sense it and he is on alert. Just my thoughts.

 

[Gretchen]

We looked into the Malinois before getting our GSD. What attracted us at first was that it seemed they did not have some of the health issues that GSDs are known for. But once we learned about the high drive and energy, decided against. I see more and more law enforcement using the Malinois now. They are usually tan with black mask.

Our breeder also breeds the Dutch shepherds. They are somewhat smaller than a regular GSD, shorter coat like the Malinois, and brindle like in coloring. I;ve only met a few, but they were very nice, socialized but still higher energy. One young man I met jogs about 5 miles with his dog before he goes to work for the day.

If I had my choice between the two, I'd choose the Dutch Shepherd.