Belgian Shepherd: Nutrition, character, training and much more about the Belgian Shepherd Malinois

By Roland Berger

The Malinois is a very popular dog, which more and more families acquire. It is a subspecies of the Belgian Shepherd, which is also very active and always needs a meaningful occupation. Basically you can say that the "Belgians" are very loyal and well-balanced dogs, but they should only get into the hands of people who already have experience in dog training.

Especially the Malinois needs a consistent and sometimes strict leadership, otherwise it can slide into an undesirable behavior. Children should in any case be at an age where they understand how to handle a Malinois. Malinois are service dogs, which are often used by the police. But also sports like flyball, obedience or agility give him a lot of pleasure and he will do everything to please his human.

This guidebook will help you to better understand the Malinois and his nature, what kind of "work" he likes to do and how to deal with him.

The following topics are discussed in the different chapters and certainly many questions are clarified:
- Character trait of the Malinois
- Who is suitable as a holder?
- What is to be considered with the puppy education?
- First exercises and basic commands
- Important information about nutrition and health
- With 10 illustrations

If there is an agreement in the family that a Malinois should move in, you can plan exactly who will do what exercise with him. This breed wants to be kept busy and mentally stimulated on a daily basis. If you can fulfill this, you and the whole family will have a faithful companion by your side.

Have a happier life with the Malinois by your side! You will find all the important beginner informations in the book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: Apr 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9783986468866

Book preview

Belgian Shepherd:

Nutrition, character, training and much more about the Malinois

Roland Berger

The Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois

The Malinois is a very popular dog, which more and more families acquire. It is a subspecies of the Belgian Shepherd, which is also very active and always needs a meaningful occupation. Basically, it can be said that the Belgians are very loyal and balanced dogs, but they should only get into the hands of people who already have experience in dog training and keeping.

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Especially the Malinois needs a consistent and sometimes strict leadership, otherwise it can slide into an undesirable behavior. Children should in any case be at an age where they understand how to handle a Malinois. Malinois are working or service dogs, which are often used by the police or customs. But also sports like flyball, obedience or agility give him a lot of pleasure and he will do everything to please his human.This guide will help you better understand the Malinois and his nature, what kind of work he likes to perform and how to deal with him.

The following topics are discussed in the various chapters and certainly many questions are clarified:

Malinois character trait

Who is suitable as a holder?

What to consider when raising a puppy?

Mastering first exercises and basic commands

Important information about nutrition and health

With 10 illustrations

If there is agreement in the family that a Malinois should move in, you can plan exactly who will do what sports with him. This breed wants to be kept busy and mentally stimulated every day. If you can fulfill this, you and the whole family will have a faithful companion by your side, who would go through the fire for you and his home.

Lead a happier life with the Malinois by your side! All important beginner information can be found in the book.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to all people whose hearts and minds are big enough to accommodate a Malinois in it.

Contents

List of Figures

Origin, physique and appearance

Character traits of the Malinois

Who is suitable as a holder?

The puppy - what to consider?

First exercises - what to look for in education

Basic commands - playful education

The Malinois in puberty

The adult dog

Nutrition, health and care

Typical diseases and how to deal with them

The senior in age

The Malinois as a sport, police or rescue dog

Breeder in Germany

About this series: My dog for life

List of Figures

Figure 1: The Malinois

Figure 2: A Belgian Shepherd puppy

Figure 3: Puppy makes itself very small.

Figure 4: Police dog ready for action

Figure 5: Sit visual signal

Figure 6: Place visual signal

Figure 7: Visual signal "Off

Figure 8: strong stature

Figure 9: Malinois jumps

Figure 10: Training of working dogs

Origin, physique and appearance

The Malinois is one of four subspecies of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, which in turn is related to the German Shepherd Dog. A similar breed of dog can be found in Holland with the name Hollandse Herdershond. According to the origin, both breeds originated from the same region until Belgium broke away from the Netherlands in the 19th century. In the course of time, a separation was made in Holland and Belgium, so that the name Belgian Shepherd Dog was created. Nowadays, the Belgian Sheepdog, mainly the Malinois, is mainly used by the police as well as a guard dog. Depending on which parents were bred with, the nature of the puppy can also be reserved but curious.

It is important not only to choose a responsible breeder, but also good socialization. In general, the Belgian Shepherd is a very demanding dog that requires consistent education and varied employment.

These dogs were originally used as work animals by farmers and shepherds and were not associated with any particular breed. Rather, they were mated among themselves by their owners. At the end of the 19th century, Belgian Shepherd Dogs were specifically bred for their appearance. Thus, in 1891, the club Chien de Berger Belge was founded in Brussels, and then, a little later, the breed standard was described. At that time, three coat versions were registered: rough coat, short coat and long coat. Nowadays there are four coat versions that are bred.

At the end of the 19th century a working dog came to Laeken, to the royal castle. With him was born the oldest variety of the Belgian Shepherd - the Laekenois. Even today it is the oldest subspecies of the total of four varieties and is very rare. In 1901, the Belgian Shepherd Dog was recorded in a stud book for the first time. In the FCI, the Belgian Shepherd Dog with its four coat varieties is listed with the standard number 15, group 1 (herding and driving dogs), section 1. 

The Belgian Shepherd Dog is bred in four subspecies:

Groenendael, coat color black and long haired

Tervueren, coat color reddish brown to black and longhaired

Malinois, fawn to reddish brown with black mask, shorthaired

Laekenois, coat color fawn to black, rough haired

It is interesting that there are only three genes that make the dog types appear different: one gene for coat length, one gene for coat texture, and one gene is responsible for coat color.

The Belgian Shepherd is elegant and looks very noble because of its slender and upright head. Even though the physique is large, it does not look bulky because its skeleton is light. 

The Malinois is the only subspecies with a short coat. The other three varieties are long haired and only the Lakenois is rough haired. 

The naming of each variety was derived from the region where the animals were originally most widespread. Thus, the Malinois has its origin from the region around the city of Malines. A close relationship was given to the Dutch Shepherd Dogs, until their lines were later separated.

Malinois have been a strong and robust breed since the beginning and their quality lies in guarding and guarding. Precisely because of this, the Malinois became a sought-after service dog, which could convince with its endurance, agility and the will to work. Also in the dog sport he is used with pleasure.

Key data:

Size: male 60 - 66 cm, optimal 62cm, female 56-62cm, optimal 58cm

Weight: males: 25-30kg, bitch: 20-25kg

Coat: dense, short, close-fitting with undercoat

Color: Falb with black mask

Life expectancy: 12 - 14 years

FCI Group 1, Section 1: Sheepdogs, with working test

Figure 1: The Malinois

Character traits