It is nice to do the research before adopting/buying a dog. This is especially important when you are interested in one of the “more active” breeds, such as the Belgian Malinois. Everyone has praised them. People said they are so smart, trainable, and great as protection dogs. But, there is a huge gap to fill that is deliberately being skipped. These dogs are working dogs with an immense need to do something and use, not just their body, but brains as well. They are not family dogs. Yes, they can be family pets, but Malinois are working dogs. Don’t expect them to behave like a Labrador.

Where’s The Catch?

We all want an obedient dog with minimum work done. We don’t have the time to train a dog, or we thought we needed less time spent to teach a dog not to bolt every time they see a cat or not to bark all day long. Well, we made dogs as they are today. There are a couple of hundred dog breeds around the world, and they all have a purpose. 

We made watch dogs to bark and alarm us if there’s something wrong, and then we fuss about them doing exactly that! We bred hunting dogs to hunt, and then we’re exhausted from teaching them not to chase small animals in the park. And we made a Belgian Malinois to be a top-notch working dog, and then we wonder why they are unhappy being a family pet with little to nothing to do day after day.

The catch is that we made the catch. What does that mean when talking about the Belgian Malinois? Here is some information regarding the breed (no pink glasses!):

1. They have very high energy/drive
2. They need lots of training and socialization from puppyhood to help them become stable, confident, and friendly dogs
3. They need a purpose (something to do!)
4. They are not for a first time dog owner
5. They are not for a laid-back family with little time to give to such an active dog
6. Having a dog while growing up doesn’t count as being experienced dog owner

A Belgian Malinois dog needs something to do. This breed cannot be happy with a walk to the park. They need action! The best option is to choose one of the dog sports and find what suits you and your dog best. If you don’t give a Mal enough mental and physical stimulation, they will become bored. From boredom, they will soon turn into misbehavior, destruction, and even aggression.

People often see them as German Shepherd Dogs, but the difference is huge. A GSD has a lot less drive than a Malinois. I’ve seen a Belgian Malinois in a backyard close to my home with nothing to do, all alone, almost all day long, and it hurts to see such a marvelous dog in that situation. Leaving any dog alone all day is not right, but it’s especially cumbersome for a high-energy dog.

Spending an hour or two a day playing with a Belgian Malinois and your family is not enough for this dog breed. They need a purpose not a walk to the park and back home again.

Also, if you think you know how to be a dog owner because your family had a dog when you were growing up, that doesn’t count. Unless you were truly taking care of the dog, paying for food, vet bills, training, and teaching, taking it out for a walk, brushing, and grooming… it doesn’t count.

Who Should Get a Belgian Malinois?

If you have experience with owning a dog, lots of energy and time, and a love for long walks, hikes, running, or other physical activities, consider it! Why? Because, besides being active, you will also need to:

• Socialize them
• Habituate them
• Go through a puppy phase 
• Be consistent (not just while they are cute and small)

I am making it sound more serious than some other people might, because a dog is not a toy you can throw out on the street when you’re not happy or put it somewhere and forget about it. You can’t take it back or return it for a less-active or less-demanding dog. So maybe get a Labrador Retriever or a Golden Retriever? 

Final Thoughts

I know there is no stopping you if you’ve already decided to get a Belgian Malinois. And who knows, maybe this dog will be a perfect match for you and your family. But, if this article casts a bit of doubt on your mind and decision, then perhaps research other dog breeds? There are so many dogs out there. Some dog breeds get more ‘media time’, which can be a knife with two blades. While it promotes the breed and keeps it alive, at the same time, many people get the breed because it’s modern or fashionable. On the other hand, the more popular a dog breed becomes, the more ‘backyard breeders’ we get. That’s just a horrible circle of bad dog breeding, bad owners, and dejected dogs. 

Read next: German Shepherd Dog: Things To Know

Cover photo by Maria Merkulova