Are Malinois' Really That Hard to Handle? - Page 1

I've been training in schutzhund for some time, and consequently became involved in French Ring. It did not take long for me to realize that I thoroughly enjoyed the work. But, I also quickly realized that although my male GSD had the drives and temperament to succeed at said sport, he would most likely not be able to compete at a higher level against the nimbly built mal and dutchie. So I decided to keep him back in Schutzhund, where he has a better chance to train and succeed.

So, I thought; Why not get a mal? I can keep both sports. My old friend Schutzhund, and my new one; French Ring. I've posted on my local Personal Protection club's board, and promptly recieved an e-mail that suggested I stick with a calmer mal, and stay away from breeders such as Contes d'hoffman. And I've been thinking; I can handle an 80-90 lb. male GSD, but not a crazy female malinois? Because that's just what I want. An insane female. Could I really not handle it? She would be bought as a puppy, and trained exclusively by me. But, curiousity always gets the better of me, so I would enjoy a few tidbits of advice. I'm new at the sport, but I learn quickly and have that natural touch with dogs. Before I make any move at a purchase, I am going to thorougly study the sport, and breed. Right now, i'm just a newbie and would greatly enjoy hearing from some of the veteran's in the sport.

Thank you,

Emily.

You can handle a malinois.  the maliniois just needs more things to do.  sure there are always the freaks that almost anyone would have a hard time handleing but for the most part they are just a faster version of the gsd with a few twist.  if you are looking to get a puppy check out Micheal Ellis or lisa maze, currently they are probly breeding the best dogs in the country.

In my opinion Malinois are not hard to handle. They are just higher drive than most are used to. A Malinois normally does not require a heavy handed handler. I think a Malinois is good for someone newer in sport work, the handler does not have to be as enthusiastic due to the Mal having plenty of enthusiasm. I have seen new handlers look good when they work Mal's and when you give them a GSD, their performance is not as good looking. You cannot go wrong with a Malinois, even the worst Malinois is still better than most other breeds. Now about breeders, it's hard to say. It's more about the dog than the breeder. I have purchased Mal's from all over the world, sometimes the best dogs come from the least known pedigrees. When you buy a super expensive Mal from a well known breeder, that dog has alot more to live up to. Thats just my .02 cents worth. Hope you find that crazy female Mal you are wanting. It sounds like the two of you will do just fine, especially with your Sch experience.

Robert

That's what I had merely assumed. They were just a GSD with more drive. My GSD is well trained, and is hardly destructive. He always has something to do. And we've got a large backyard.

The way it was worded, I thought they were almost trying to say that they could be handler aggressive? I almost thought I would have an easier time with a mal, because I have to use heavy correction with my GSD to get exactly what I want. It seems they don't need to be corrected as often, and are more compliant to get what they want.

I've checked out Micheal Ellis, and he has some great dogs. I've been referred to him by more than one person. I'll check out Lisa right away.

Thanks so much!
Emily.

Emily, The Malinois can be handler aggressive if the dog thinks you over corrected them. Mal's are very smart! You just have to learn to out smart them! LOL They learn fast too! Like some one else said, you don't need a have hand with them. Good luck finding what you are looking for!

Emily,

You've gotten some good advice already about Malinois.  I don't think they are hard to handle, for the right handler.  But they are fast, meaning they think fast, react fast, learn fast.  So it takes a handler with timing to really work a Mali to it's full potential.  Otherwise you will spend as much time un-training the things you didn't mean to teach it, as teaching it the things you did mean to.  Some Malinois, and some lines, are handler aggressive.  Others are not.  And some Mals that are handler aggressive with one handler won't be with another.  Sometimes it's not even true handler aggression (ie the dog meant to try to take the handler out) but a dog who overloads, isn't thinking but just reacting, and lashes out at the nearest thing, it's handler.  It really depends on the individual dog and handler, the relationship, level of dominance, etc. 

IMO Malinios are like any other breed, you have your good, your bad, and your ugly :-)  You can find calmer, less reactive Malinos, you can find dogs wound so tight they are ready to explode, you can find a dog who would never come back at it's handler, and ones that will bite the handler over anything/everything.  Some are extremely sporty, others are very civil.  It's a case of finding out what type of dog you like, then finding the lines that are producing those dogs.

If you check out Michael, you are checking out Lisa since they breed together under the same kennel name :-)

Kadi