And like the GSD, the Malinois had to find new work when using dogs to herd and guard livestock became less common. That said, when you need a heavy, powerful dog to take down a big person, the German Shepherd is still an excellent choice. It takes a very high level of athleticism to handle the kinds of special operations that military and police K-9s are required to participate in. As the American Belgian Malinois Club explains, the New York police force is widely regarded as the first police organization to incorporate the Belgian Malinois into their ranks. A German Shepherd will be between 75 and 95 pounds, while a Malinois is about 40-80 pounds. Labrador retrievers are well known as America’s favorite dog and are a good fit for some kinds of police work as well, but they do, As an Amazon Associate, TrendingBreeds.com earns from qualifying purchases. There are a few characteristics that are essential for any police dog who will practice both bite work and scent work. Certified in April 2016, police K9 "Sicaria" is Cincinnati Police Department's first female K9 officer. Surprised? From skydiving to parachuting to swimming to climbing to running flat-out after a target, the Malinois can literally do it all. Although both require training and socialization to be a happy member of your family, Belgian Malinois are not typically suitable for beginning dog owners, especially those with a … That’s 23 places lower than German Shepherds. They must also be willing to run blindly into dangerous situations without taking time to scope out their surroundings. Described as approachable – quietly standing their ground and showing confidence and readiness to demonstrate their effectiveness and intelligence, the German shepherd is a perfect breed as a guardian and hunter when the occasion demands.. The Belgian Malinois is known to have a driving need to please their people. Like the German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois dog breed has been bred for certain working-dog qualities and traits that make the Malinois an ideal choice for police dog work. Labrador retrievers are well known as America’s favorite dog and are a good fit for some kinds of police work as well, but they do not do well with any kind of bite work. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or Doberman Pinscher ... German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Dutch Shepherd Dog; ... Dobermans were used for fighting a while back. Both have high working drives and are easily trainable as dual purpose or single purpose dogs. Because it takes so much money and time to train a police dog, it is essential that you invest in a dog who can perform for some time after being trained. The reason police use Belgian Malinois lies partly in their physical frame and partly in their temperament. There are a lot of reasons that Belgian Malinois make a good fit for police work and why they are replacing German Shepherds. The Malinois. They are willing to do things most dogs would not even consider doing, like jumping out of aircraft, walking across tightropes, swimming in the open ocean, climbing up and down ladders, and other feats it seems almost impossible to believe a dog could do. However, because Belgian Malinois have a stronger work drive in general, they also tend to have a higher work drive when it comes to sniffing out scents. They keep going all day long and seem almost tireless. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Belgian Malinois have fewer health problems than German Shepherds, on average. Belgian Malinois are willing to work all day long and they are always happy and enthusiastic about doing their work. German Shepherd Dogs are everywhere!As one of the most active dog breeds working today, you see GSDs in airports, subway stations, and even Times Square. Why do police use Belgian Malinois? As a pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. Conan, a male Belgian Malinois who accompanied the Army’s Delta Force elite unit to take down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was injured in the line of duty and later honored by President Trump for bravery, as Stripes reports. The Belgian Malinois can weigh anywhere from 40 to 80 pounds and stand anywhere from 22 to 26 inches tall. Access special offers, exclusive content, and receive tips on caring for & training your pup. Here's a bit of information about each breed largely taken from www.dogbreedinfo.com. The Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd are often compared to one another thanks to their similar European background, body shape, and spectacular working abilities in the military and on the police force. German shepherds are valued as police dogs for their trainability, loyalty, and courage. As well, since the German Shepherd is the second most popular purebred companion canine in the United States, it is easy to see how any other dog that looks similar might be mistaken for the iconic GSD. Like all dogs, the Belgian Malinois has a very keen sense of smell. Here are some comparison points between them. A malinois shepherd and German shepherd dog do have a lot in common. It’s just not in their nature to show the kind of aggression that is required for a dog to do well in bite work. In fact, as the American Belgian Malinois Rescue explains, inability to cope with the Malinois dog’s active temperament is one of the main reasons these dogs can get relinquished to shelters and rescue organizations. You should also probably know that GSD are heavy shedders that shed … Differences. For instance, in the Los Angeles Police Department and the US Military, 75% of dogs are Belgian Malinois. German Shepherd – Facts, Characteristics, and Behavior German Shepherds are the most popular breed worldwide and one of the best military and police dogs due to their high level of intelligence and physical capabilities. ... best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. We also participate in other affiliate programs and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (at no cost to you). Does the Belgian Malinois Make a Good Companion Canine? In many disciplines that are extremely important, such as seeing-eye dogs and police dogs, dogs may be purposely bred across breeds in order to arrive at an ideal work dog. Malinois is often used in roles that require sniffing out contraband, accelerants (flammable substances), or explosives. Working Dog Magazine calls this trait “calculated aggression.”. Belgian Malinois VS German Shepherd: Children And Other Pets The relationship between the children and pets can be challenging if your child doesn’t know the way around the dogs, or if you are introducing an adult a rescued dog. Belgian Malinois have all of the characteristics that make a good police dog, and they are among the most agile dog breeds. They are masterful escape artists who find chasing people, animals, cyclists, vehicles, and pretty much anything else irresistible. In the case of a Malinois working or training to work in a K-9 role, this would mean they are driven to please one person – their handler. It takes a great number of years and usually a generational change of people working in it to make major changes. The answer is yes...very slowly. The book is considered a little dated and Belgian Malinois are generally perceived as one of the smartest dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois is frequently confused with another dog breed that is often used in military and police dog work – the German Shepherd. Sometimes, the hair may be wavy and wiry. Even though I knew about the decline in use of GSDs in police work, I nevertheless found the statistics in that article quite jaw dropping. Both dogs enjoy an active lifestyle, but the Malinois has better endurance and will need more exercise to remain happy. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd. Have you noticed that police dogs seem to be a little bit smaller and sleeker looking than they used to be? Here is what you need to know about why the police use Belgian Malinois for all kinds of police work throughout the United States. Belgian Shepherd malinois. Today, the Belgian Malinois is one of the top canine picks for police dog work, military K-9 service, and private sector protection and security work. The police dog is a highly versatile working dog with the stamina to go all day. They are absolutely fearless and utterly devoted to their handler. Some police departments, such as the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, have no intention of switching from German Shepherds to Malinois. Once upon a time The German Shepherd was the favorite dog of police and military forces around the world. Cairo, the K-9 that accompanied the Navy SEAL team who brought down Osama Bin Laden, is also a Belgian Malinois. These dogs look larger than they are, simply because they are so lean and tall. ARMOR K-9 predominately chooses Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds due to their desire to work, intelligence, and ability to be great companions with the right raising and handler. So he is slightly better dog, than the German Shepherd for some situations. Compare Belgian Malinois and Doberman Pinscher and {name3}. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The Belgian Malinois is a bit more energetic than the Shepherd, and therefore will need more exercise. They must be brave enough to leap into an attack even if they know they are physically outmatched. Some people even confuse the Malinois for being just a shorter-haired version of the German Shepherd. Strong protective instincts are one of the hallmarks and strongest traits of this dog breed. If u are looking get one as a pet then look for breeders that only breed as a "Pet Quality", Its every hard to find a pet quality breeder because this breed is used more for showing, police work, and personal protection. However, they are both very similar in height (about 2ft at the shoulder), so much of this difference is in build – the Malinois is much less bulky than the German Shepherd. Don’t even consider getting a Malinois. All rights reserved. In fact, there are even special breeders that supply Malinois to the military, police force, and private sector organizations! However, German Shepherds are still a good option for police work as well. Belgian malinois and German shepherd are two such types of dogs with great variability between each other; hence, they make two very different kinds of dogs. Mixing the breeds allows some of the best aspects of each to come out, although these traits are also less predictable. Those days are largely over. Compared to Belgian Malinois, German shepherds are better for a family. The two dogs actually do look quite a bit alike. And a bored Malinois left at home alone is likely going to become a destructive dog in short order. I had not suspected that it was that much of a distiction in numbers of GSDs vs Malinois in the police force, especially in Germany. Both German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois have an excellent sense of smell and are dedicated to scent work. The Belgian Shepherd malinois breed is … The two dogs actually do look quite a bit alike. The dog breed has more triangular eyes with tan colored fur and a black saddle. This makes the Malinois a great choice for a dog that needs to master difficult job duties with multiple variables. Choosing a Belgian Malinois as a family guarding and protection dog can look really good on paper. Malinois are shades of red, Dutch are Brindle. The best asset for police duties is a dog’s sense of smell. They have extremely high work drive and never-ending energy that allows them to work all day long and keep going well into the night. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Size. All Belgian shepherds, regardless of their variant, are generally healthy dogs that live between 12 and 16 years. They do not tolerate being left alone well, especially if it happens frequently. However, what makes a dog breed a fantastic pick for military, police, and working K-9 protection roles is not necessarily the same as what makes for a great companion canine – a pet dog. Compare German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois and {name3}. View our privacy policy here. And when their Malinois puppy grows up, that dog is going to need and crave constant exercise and activity and both mental and physical enrichment. Like most herding breeds, German Shepherds are well known for having very high work drive, but Belgian Malinois have even more intensity for work. Unfortunately, this particular shape makes them more prone to hip and back problems. Police dogs today are trained to have extraordinary self-control so that they can be released in a crowd and safely take down a target without harming bystanders. Hands down, no question about it, the Belgian Malinois is much more preferred for work like police k9 and military dog, and can excel in almost any other job like tracking, bomb/drug/narcotics sniffing, search & rescue, guard dog, herding dog, guide dog, and alert dogs for people with disabilities. He is retired now and lives with his handler, reports the New York Post. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Because of the extensive diversity among dog breeds, dog lovers can go for their particular requirements that they would expect from the pet. The coat is available in a variety of colors and patterns including black, sable, silver and red. Like the German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois was bred to herd stock and is the only Belgian shepherd with a short coat. As their names imply, the Belgian Malinois was developed in Belgium and the German Shepherd in Germany. With their European backgrounds and striking similar physical appearance, lots of people confuse the dogs with German Shepherds. © 2021 TrendingBreeds. The Malinois is perfectly capable of leaping very tall fences in a single bound (which you already know if you watched the YouTube videos from an earlier segment here). So let’s take a closer look now at the specific characteristics the Belgian Malinois was bred to have. Like the German Shepherd, Malinois comes from a herding dog background. Belgian Malinois are becoming increasingly more popular for police work, replacing the German Shepherd in many police departments. German Shepherds have long and straight hair that lies close to the body. The Malinois breed is known to be capable of independent thought in these cases that lead to taking the appropriate action. The Doberman also enjoyed the same popularity in police and military work. The Belgian Malinois breed has a long history as a livestock herding and guarding dog. Here is what you need to know about why the police use, Belgian Malinois have all of the characteristics that make a good police dog, and t. For instance, in the Los Angeles Police Department and the US Military. The increased energy and athleticism of the Belgian Malinois mean they are more likely to follow a smell wherever it goes, whereas a German Shepherd may be deterred by obstacles. These dogs serve as police K … Very sad. Law enforcement is slow to change anything. The slight build of Belgian Malinois also makes him faster, than The German Shepherd. The increased energy and athleticism of the Belgian Malinois mean they are more likely to follow a smell wherever it goes, whereas a German Shepherd may be deterred by obstacles. Well-bred Belgian Malinois with some basic training for police work cost about $6,500 each. Wait till you see them in action in this video. Labradors love people and never meet a stranger. There are many, many more Belgian Malinois dogs working in K-9 operations around the world right now who are just as brave, loyal, and selfless. By contrast, a good working German Shepherd might cost as much as $10,000. What Specific Traits Makes the Malinois Such a Great Police Dog? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: What’s the Verdict? Therefore strength and agility are essential in a good police dog. Both the Malinois and German Shepherd are hard-working dogs that are used in a variety of important roles, including police work. This dog breed has been developed specifically to spend long hours doing very intense, athletically demanding work. But they also have a tireless mental work ethic and crave new learning experiences throughout life. As the Navy SEAL Museum explains, the dogs used in K-9 roles are often specifically bred for their work. From left to right: Belgian Shepherd malinois, laekenois, tervueren and groenendael. In this article, find out why Belgian Malinois are used as police dogs. Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois. Fighting Dog : Yes . GSDs are medium to large sized dogs, with strong jaws and a black nose. Female vs male Belgian Malinois neuter/spay differences. The Daily Mail reported that superstar actress Eva Mendez enlisted the help of not just the legal system but a trained Belgian Malinois named Hugo after being stalked by a mentally disturbed man several years ago. The Belgian Malinois will grow to the same size as a German Shepherd of around 24-26″ in height, however the GSD will weigh more at around 90 pounds compared to the 60 pounds of a Malinois. But one thing that many Belgian Malinois owners don’t realize when they first bring their adorable fluffy puppy home is that their dog is going to grow up fast. Police dogs should also have perfect recall when being called back from an attack or chase. The Belgian Malinois is frequently confused with another dog breed that is often used in military and police dog work – the German Shepherd. One trait that is rather unique in the Belgian Malinois breed is that males and females can differ in adult weight by up to 20 pounds. Police dogs must be strong enough to take down an assailant and agile enough to effectively chase after suspects even if they climb over something, are trying to escape in a car, etc. There are some very good reasons why police are the usage of Belgian Malinois instead of German Shepherds or some other breeds. Belgian Malinois have even higher work drive than Shepherds. The Belgian Malinois takes their job of protecting and defending their people (and animals) very seriously. Every police dog will be asked to put themselves in situations where they know that they are in danger. As Chien Policier European Belgian Malinois breeder points out, there are some potential known health risks to the timing of your dog’s spay or neuter procedure.. And there are some known health risks if you decide to leave your male or female Belgian malinois intact. They are not a first dog,second dog or any time dog. Belgian Malinois are smaller and more athletic then German Shepherds. Copyright © 2021 Anything German Shepherd, Dogs for Law Enforcement’s Police Canines in History, How Long Can a German Shepherd Go Without Eating: When to Worry If Your GSD Stops Eating, German Shepherd Afraid of Thunder: How to Ease GSD Weather Fears. When comparing Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd as family pets, the GSD may be better suited. The Malinois lives and breathes work. The Belgian Malinois has the perfect traits to work as a police dog. Belgian Malinois - … Various types of Golden Retriever and Labrador crosses are useful for seeing-eye dogs, and when it comes to police work, a Belgian Malinois crossed with a German Shepherd is an excellent working dog. Required fields are marked *. They think that their Shepherds have a steadier and calmer temperament than the Malinois, able to do a good day’s work as police dogs and also mingle with children at school events. After all, the primary goal is a dog who can do excellent work, and it is hard to argue that the Belgian Malinois isn’t the better worker of the two when it comes to most of the jobs that are important for police dogs. That being said, these breeds have different personalities and daily needs inside the home that owners need to know. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (at no cost to you). There are some very good reasons why police are using Belgian Malinois instead of German Shepherds or any other breeds. As Dogs for Law Enforcement’s Police Canines in History page explains, the Malinois noise is also very useful to track down suspects – most famously Osama Bin Laden. 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