Asking, no begging, for sincere Belgian Malinois advice - Page 2

asomich:

Again we crossed posts! I read what you wrote about the dog and my girls with the balloon tennis...If that is really what all or most mals would do then you are absolutely right.  It is not the breed for me!

Another thing ... there are alot of folks here who know bloodlines very well. If you post a link to the breeder and dam an sire  - I'm sure some great people here could give you an understanding of your choice in Malinois bloodlines. If known. Maybe even direct you to a more layed back house pet type Malinois, if there is such a thing. lol

Good Luck to you.

Thanks BabyEagle4u:

I don't think the breeder would mind me mentioning her since I have nothing but good things to say about her.  She and one other breeder were the only two (of many that I contacted) that took the time and trouble to talk with me.  She was very helpful, informative and patient.  It would be from Bull Mountains/Desert Mountain---Echo:  from GCH Bull MTNS Echo of Laughter CDX RE and Fang: from Multi/Int CH BISS CH FANG du Hameau Saint Blaise.   At one point tied in with Fyre??   (Hope that is what you meant--The lingo is kind of new to me)  The woman I spoke with Suzanne Belger, and you could tell she was very caring and knowledgable of the breed.  

The other person I spoke with was Ivan Balabonov from Florida, breed line Ot Vitosha??  He also seemed like a great guy with tons of knowledge and passion. Ivan and Suzanne's breed at one point were connected??  Those are the two who seemed more interested in sharing their knowledge and experience rather than just selling a dog.

I am confused though, BabyEagle4u: Do you not share asomich's opinion that pretty much ANY Mal. is unacceptable for my needs? I was kind of ruling it out but I am still open to input and feedback! What are your thoughts???

Looked at Bull Desert Mountain Malinois - mixture of working and show. The working pedigree part is nice 2 generations back.
 
OP, I still think that you have unrealistic expectations of leaving a mal unattended. If it doesn't nip/bite a kid or chew your house up.

The show lines tend to have straight shoulders and narrow chests.  Watch out for shoulder angulation if you want to do alot of activity with your dog.

So I'm done with this thread.

I know nothing of showline Mals...though even the sound of that seems odd. LOL  My only experience with Mals is working lines, and pretty hardcore ones at that, so take what I say with a grain of salt; I'm sure there are more laid back Mals out there. Mals are absolutely not what I would ever want for a family pet. I like them. I respect them. If I were in a different point in my life (nothing to do but train and work a dog) I would maybe have one. But as a mom with a job and other dogs and commitments, NO WAY would I want a Malinois, though that is a bit hypocritical because I have bred/owned GSDs that people have said were "worse than a Mal." 

Not to be a downer, but might I suggest a really well-balanced working line GSD as a compromise? My issue is with most Mals, you're not going to have many guests with the common sense needed  to interact well with a teeth-clattering pup who's just itching to bite something, anything. Your kids' friends are going to be chew toys if you aren't 110% vigilant and that just isn't something that is going to be appreciated by most parents. I'm just thinking in terms of a liability standpoint, as in today's society, your dog doesn't really have to do much wrong to land itself in a lot of trouble. 

Great points.  Thanks Jenni78!

You too, asomich.  (although still trying to figure out who the hell OP is)

* "Do you not share asomich's opinion that pretty much ANY Mal. is unacceptable for my needs?" *

Yes, unfortunately I do. I personally have never met a calm at all times Malinois. (edit) the only time my Mal was ever self collected and calm was as a young pup the first 3-4 days after flight here. That I figured later to be jet-lag.

My dog can be calm and collected but only when I have my hands on her.

Example : standing watching a parade or just standing anywhere for that matter (lol) .. I must at all times have my hand on her head .. if I take my hand off her head for any reason, she would freak out, hate everyone around us, bark at everyone, total 360 kinda thing. Granted we go to political rally's, marches and parades for hours all the time .. as long as I have my hand on her head while standing still .. she is fine for hours, lovable, quiet, calm and collected cute big dog everyone and anyone can pet. But, I must keep one hand on her at all times .. it's just the way she is. Now if we are walking and don't stop for any reason she is also fine .. we cannot stop and chat without my hand on her head .. without my hand on her head there wouldn't be any chatting not even from a short distance. (lol) She listens the same way for my son in public.

I love her, I think she's perfect for me and the best. But, it took alot of work and training for her to even be this way in public. Knowing what I did to get her all around personality and behavior the way it is right now @ almost 6 years old .. I doubt the average person could have done it any better. Most would have given up or had a crisis situation in the first year.

I didn't want to sound harsh or I know everything, because I don't know anything really except for my Malinois... so I mentioned posting the breeder and bloodlines for others to see. Alot of great people here who know stuff. I can only tell you what I know about my Malinois - I have a A'Tim daughter import.

OP is Original Post(er) = that would be the thread starter or you Jivan.

Funny! I've never posted anything on any forum and therefore didn't know the "op" abbreviation.  (The fact that i posted something shows how desperate I was for info.)  Thanks for clearing that up, BabyEagle4u!  And thanks for the additional information. It all makes sense.

I was hoping to hear from at least one family that got their mal from a breeder and had a family with young kids and whose only job was being part of an active family---(in other words a situation exactly parallel to mine) but perhaps that scenario is non-existant.

I suppose this has been beaten to death and I do appreciate all the input.  The fact that not ONE person chimed in and said that a Mal. could be an active family pet and not a working dog if everything was done perfectly is very telling.  Thanks again.....

Your mal sounds sweet...You should post a pic of her!  Good luck with everything.