Dutch Shepherds in comparison to GSD and Malinois? - Page 1

Hi everyone.

I'm hoping to add another dog to my home in a few years (probably 3 years or less, if the stars align). I'm very active and always outdoors. I do working type exercises with my two current dogs, but do not compete in working events - not my bag. It's very important to me that my next dog is capable of keeping up with me and my current dogs. We do, real life scenerio exercises and it's very important that my next dog excels in agility, obedience, protection and tracking - as that is the nature of our training. 

My current dogs are GSD's and I train them using +R. I intend on doing the same type of training with my next dog and will be obtaining the guidance of a very good proffessional trainer for the first few years of it's life. I love my shepherds dearly, but both suffer from different physical problems that impede their ability to work for extended periods of time. (One has HD, the other is simply too big and often crushes his nails under the weight of his body). 

Ideally my next dog will be smaller and more resistant to skeletal disorders, while still retaining high drive and strong working potential. When I say high drive, I mean a nice balance of drives and a willingness to work - no matter the situation. Not looking for a sport dog, but a very active and capable partner.

I've talked to a few people involved with sport work and they have suggested I look into Dutch Shepherds. Problem is they seem to be very rare and I doubt I will have the opportunity to meet one. I've also strongly considered Malinois, but I hold reservations as some of the dogs I've met seem to be.....err, nervous? Or maybe too eager? I need a dog that can lay calmly at my feet and be a good house pet at the end of a long day. 

If I can't find what I need in alternative breeds, I will try to find a nice, balanced GSD. I love the breed very much. If not for the few, very detrimental issues, I would stick with them and may end up doing so in spite of the problems.


Any opinions about the working ability, function, companionship and health of these 3 breeds is appreciated. Also any suggested bloodlines in GSD's  (smaller, level headed, relatively high drive and strong willingness to get up and go) is appreciated. 

Hi
I have a German Va Highline GSD, who is extremely healthy , I brought him From Flesicherheim Kennels -WWW.fleischerheim.com,
check out their web page, before you change to another breed.  My current dog has Titles in Obedience, Rally, OFA for hips&elbow,and every year I recerf for his heart and eyes. He also is in training for Tracking, Herding ,Therapy Dog.
Good Luck in whater you due
Pat O
 

Thank you for your response and consideration. I will keep that in mind.

The types of activities I do involve; extreme camping, obstacle courses, target shooting, rappelling, boating, mountain climbing and inbetween all of those fun things, I maintain a very good fitness routine including a great deal of cardio. 

Aside from regular fitness (which is done daily), I do at least one or more of the activities listed above every week. I have an interest in working dogs because I feel I can relate to them and I'm very devoted to my doggy activities (tracking and obedience, namely). I do a bit of informal protection training as well - the dogs seem to enjoy it. 

My one dog is slowing down. She is 7 and has HD. While she can still have her live-wire moments, she likes to take it easy and "supervise" events. My boy is 5 this year and is in his prime, but his size inhibits him at times. 

I was told to look into getting a pitbull or Rottweiler, but I am hesitant to consider these breeds.
Pitbulls seem like they would be ideal, but I worry about dog aggression and refuse to jeopardize the safety of my current dogs. Rottweilers are too big for my liking and IMO would have difficulties participating in some of our activities.

I was told I may have a hard time aquiring a breed like the Dutch Shepherd as most people want them to go to sport, Military or LEO careers. Is this true? I have met many people involved in sport work and most only do a fraction of the activity that I do with my dogs. They simply train and title. 

I think a German Shepherd is the best for what you are looking for. I have a really cool GSD, he is from working lines and is a very versatile dog. He is a great pet and great for sports. (He is 72lbs so not that big) There is pics and video etc on fb -> www.facebook.com/GarakvonHeksterhorst
His bloodlines are popular so if you like that type of dog you can look into it. His pedigree -> www.working-dog.eu/dogs-details/171952/Garak-von-Heksterhorst 

I've never heard of a dog crushing his own toenails because he is big--how big is your guy?

A male GSD who is within the standard will almost always be between 70 and 95 pounds in good weight. It sounds like what you really need is a healthy, medium-sized, standard, GSD.

My suggestion would be to get in touch with people who train and handle Malinois and Dutchies.  I think they will be able to give you the straight dope on the pros and cons of those 2 breeds, as well as an  honest evaluation regarding  your lifestyle as far as whether or not those breeds would be appropriate for you.  Like GSDs, there are different lines of Dutchies and Mali's.  You will hear about KNPV vs French lines and FCI lines.  I believe with the KNPV lines, the difference is color, brown dogs are Mals and striped dogs are Dutchies - even within the same litter. Obviously I am no expert when it comes to Dutchies and Mali's but I will tell you I have great admiration for both breeds.

There are many PDB members who have Malinois and some who have Dutchies.  If I were you, I would also post something directly on the Malinois Forum section and even on the Dutchie section of this board, you may get more responses.    You might also get more feedback  by posting on working dog forums.

As far as having a hard time aquiring a dog, first off, not every pup from every litter is suitable for competition or work homes, and there are also rescues and washouts that would make great dogs for active homes.  For that matter, just because your's isn't a sport home or a work home does not mean breeders wouldn't sell a great pup to you. 

I was also in a situation somewhat like yours, only I also do AKC obedience and came from a family with a schutzhund background (I am not involved today due to schutzhund club poor locations and changes in member attitudes).  I also looked at Dutch shepherds and Malinois, however at the end of the day it seemed pretty clear to me that they could not sit still at the "end of a long day".  Not 100% mind you, but the chances of getting a calm pup was a complete crapshoot, so I passed.  As others have said, you need to look for the lines of GSD that can fit your needs.  They do exist and there are sheperds with sleek frames not unlike malinois and dutch sheperds, but you have to know what you want, be willing to travel and pay what it costs to get it.

A pitbull or Rottweiler will not meet your needs.  The Rottweiler is likley to me more broken down than your current shepherd in the later years and due to thier short snout length will not cool off as efficiently as a GSD.  They are not really bred to run; and the pitbull has a much different mindset than a shepherd, which could make training more difficult with significally less consistant results on the dogs part.

I almost pulled the trigger on a beauceron.  I liked a lot of things about these dogs on the surface, but couldn't find anyone I knew personally that owned one.  I still may try and get one some day, but with work and life its better for me and the dogs to stick with what I know.

they say that a dutch and mal are the same thing, but dutch has an "off" switch.  not having owned either of them, i could not say.  i know they are both high drive dogs and unless you are prepared to keep up with them, you may want to look at other breeds.
pjp

If you're not concerned with competing in IPO/SchH, a Dutch Shepherd would be very well suited for what you have in mind.  The reason I discount "bite sleeve" sports is, as a rule, Dutch Shepherds have inconsistent grips and many times are short.  As far as being an athletic companion for the rest of your list I think you would be fine.