Belgian Malinois Rescue & Adoption
SO YOU THINK YOU WANT A MALINOIS.
Belgian Malinois are typically bred for police and military work. They are extremely intelligent, high-energy dogs, that require a lot of dedication to exercise, training and especially socialization.
They are people-oriented but tend to be wary of strangers and protective of their family and territory. They typically bond with one family member more than the rest but are extremely loyal to their whole pack.
Most Malinois have a strong desire to work and require a job to stay mentally happy- they excel at dock diving, search and rescue, agility, nose work and almost any type of dog sport. They are not couch potatoes and tend to become very destructive when not properly exercised both physically AND mentallythey are VERY creative when they’re bored.
Lovingly called a “Maligator” by their dedicated owners, Malinois like to play rough and tend to be mouthy- this is true with other dogs as well as with people. Without proper training, mouthy-ness can turn into biting and malinois are bred to have a strong, firm bite. One good bite from a determined malinois is enough to break bone.
A Malinois-experienced trainer is always recommended.
Please do your research on any breed before committing to them, but especially a Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, or any working breed.
The Belgian Malinois’ popularity has recently begun to explode, thanks in part to movies. More and more Malinois are being indiscriminately bred and sold to families that are not equipped to handle the very traits Malinois owners should embrace and cherish.
Shelters all over the country are seeing Malinois surrenders and strays coming in at an alarming rate, and the breed-specific rescues are running out of room and foster families.
Malinois do not present well in kennel-environments, resulting in the humane-euthanasia of many of these wonderful animals.
