Belgian Malinois is a beautiful dog breed that shares an unbreakable bond with its human partner. Malinois dogs are loyal and intelligent by nature and also appear strikingly similar to German shepherd dogs. Belgian Malinois were initially bred for herding livestock; now, they are pretty common in households as pets.
If you are going to be a first-time owner, you should think carefully before choosing a dog breed because every dog is not fit for every person.
Some breeds possess incredibly high energy and can be quite a handful for first-time owners. One such breed is Belgian Malinois which experts usually do not recommend for novice dog owners.
What’s It Like Owning a Belgian Malinois?
A Belgian Malinois is an active, agile, and well-muscled dog that has a bright and cheerful personality. This dog breed is full of life and can be an extraordinary partner for its master. If you are planning to own a Malinois dog, you should know that you are going to experience a high level of affection from your dog.
Belgian Malinois has a strong desire to fulfill the commands of its owner. It can be extra protective of its master, family, and property because of the in-built sense of protection. Also, this dog has an adaptable nature hence can be easily trained. But since they are highly energetic, they want to stay active all the time.
They cannot be left alone for a long time; hence owner needs to accompany them for most of the day. These characteristics make this breed a high in-demand dog.
Five Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Belgian Malinois as Your First Dog
Who wouldn’t want a dog which is active, agile, and hardworking? Of course, everyone, but there is more to this breed. Following are some downsides of Belgian Malinois dogs that you should keep in mind before buying them.
- Belgian Malinois are happiest when owned by active and athletic owners. You should avoid getting one if you find it hard to exercise for more than one hour because this dog will make you exercise at least four hours a day.
- If you have any other pet in the house, it’s better to give up on Belgian Malinois because they are better off as being the only pet in the house because of their territorial nature. Malinois dogs find it very difficult to share space with other pets.
- Belgian Malinois are not very comfortable around kids at first. In case you are first time owner and have kids at home, avoid this breed because you will find it challenging to train malinois dogs to get along well with children.
- Having a Belgian Malinois as a novice owner can be a chore because this breed needs intense training and socialization; otherwise, they are unable to socialize and show aggression if they ned to socialize against their will.
- If you are quite a social person and like to have friends over often, I do not recommend getting a Belgian malinois because this dog breed faces a hard time while socializing.
For First-time Dog Owners, Which Is Best, Female or Male, Belgium Malinois?
If you have made up your mind to buy a Belgian malinois, then you should go for a female Belgian Malinois. Though there aren’t any significant differences between the two genders but some characteristics indeed make female Malinois dogs a better option for rookie owners. Following are some significant reasons;
- Female Malinois are smaller in size and more receptive towards owners.
- They are less prone to aggression and more inclined towards affection.
- They are relatively easy to train than their male counterparts.
- Female Belgian Malinois are also generally more focused and alert.
- They also have a contained level of energy as compared to male Malinois dogs, who tend to be very energetic and boisterous.
- Female dogs are not clingy towards one person; instead, they are equally friendly with all family members.
In short, female Malinois dogs are a lot easier to manage as compared to male malinois dogs hence better for first time owners.
General Tips for a Soon-to-be Malinois Dog Owner?
Belgian Malinois is the most in-demand dog breed, thanks to its protective and agile nature. But petting such an active dog needs a lot of effort from the side of the owner. Here are some tips that will be useful in case you are deciding to become a Malinois dog owner anytime soon.
- It is crucial to read the Belgian Malinois’s history and needs ahead of buying the dog.
- Prepare an open space for the dog since this breed loves to play around and shows aggression if confined to one place.
- Change your lifestyle to more active rather than sedentary because you need to accompany the dog in its physical exercises every day in future.
- Train your kids ahead of bringing dogs home so they can be cautious around this breed.
- Be ready for lots of training and physical stimulation.
- Prepare raw treats and snacks from raw pet and training tools from chewy in advance.
Best Dog Breeds for Novice Owners
Making a choice when getting a dog the first time can be challenging. Here is a list of dog breeds other than Belgian Malinois that are highly suitable for first-time owners.
- Bichon Frise
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Golden retrievers
- Labrador retriever
- German shepherd
- Irish setter
- Greyhound
- Yorkshire terrier
- Whippet
- Maltese
Conclusion
Owning a dog for the very first time is truly a rewarding experience. You get an excellent and loyal companion in the form of a dog. Choosing the right companion can be tricky but not impossible if you do proper research before buying one.
Belgian Malinois is a fantastic dog breed with lots of tremendous characters exclusive to this breed. But keeping this dog can be a handful if you are a first-time owner, so I recommend you to gain some experience in dog keeping first. Or the other way is to be prepared in advance to become owner of this active and agile dog breed.
If you fulfill all the criteria of the right owner, Belgian Malinois will prove to be your best choice ever!
For further information about Belgian Malinois, click here.
