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by PattyP on 16 December 2009 - 15:12
Greetings, all. I found you while searching for a Malinois forum.
A brief history: I am a volunteer with a local non-breed specific rescue group. We care for the dogs impounded at the county vector control. Since July I’ve been fostering a now year-old pup I’ve named Mickey. The vet labeled him as a shepherd/husky mix and until recently I had no reason to question it.
This weekend I saw my first Malinois in person and now believe that my foster boy is a Malinois mix, not a GS mix. Except for Mickey’s face mask and ear color he very closely resembles a Malinois. The carriage and body type is nearly identical. I know it is difficult to identify the heritage of mixes but I’m hoping that Malinois aficionados might help me determine if he might be a Malinois mix.
When I first brought Mick home my first task was convincing him he did not have to be pack leader. He seemed to have had little or no direction and he challenged me on everything. Once he learned he didn’t have to do the job, oh, what a happy puppy! He is smart,smart,smart; he learned his name within a day-and-a-half and catches on quickly to new commands. The question is not if he understands what I’m asking of him but whether he wants to obey or not. At first, he constantly tested his boundaries so I implemented the NILIF attitude. He still occasionally tests me and protests sometimes but I think that is because he is just a year old and his adolescent brain hasn’t emotionally matured yet.
Mick is a rough and tumble kind of boy; he likes his play hard and fast. He is by far the smartest dog I’ve worked with. He learns very quickly, even more so than my Border Collie mix. I also believe he would excel at agility or some sort of sport. He is definitely not a dog for a first-time dog owner. He is pushy and stubborn, yet sweet and funny. He needs a firm but fair hand. He responds very well to praise and cannot abide a severe voice. I can see that he would absolutely not tolerate unfair or harsh handling. I believe he could easily turn aggressive or shut down completely if handled improperly.
He has improved so much since I brought him home and I am very pleased with his progress. Even so, being high energy and “handicapped” because of an adolescent brain he occasionally argues with me. It's actually quite funny because I know he's just testing the boundaries. He really does want to please. He thrives on praise.
When I read about the Malinois’ temperament and personality it might have well been describing Mickey. Regardless of his heritage, he is going to be a wonderful dog for the right family.
I imagine he will always be the kind of dog who pushes boundaries, needing an owner who is very patient, is just a bit more stubborn, just a bit more determined than he. That's where I come in and for the most part he's been a joy to foster.
His petfinder.com web site has three pictures. If you wouldn’t mind taking a look and giving me your opinions about Mickey I would really appreciate your input.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13893571
Thanks in advance.
A brief history: I am a volunteer with a local non-breed specific rescue group. We care for the dogs impounded at the county vector control. Since July I’ve been fostering a now year-old pup I’ve named Mickey. The vet labeled him as a shepherd/husky mix and until recently I had no reason to question it.
This weekend I saw my first Malinois in person and now believe that my foster boy is a Malinois mix, not a GS mix. Except for Mickey’s face mask and ear color he very closely resembles a Malinois. The carriage and body type is nearly identical. I know it is difficult to identify the heritage of mixes but I’m hoping that Malinois aficionados might help me determine if he might be a Malinois mix.
When I first brought Mick home my first task was convincing him he did not have to be pack leader. He seemed to have had little or no direction and he challenged me on everything. Once he learned he didn’t have to do the job, oh, what a happy puppy! He is smart,smart,smart; he learned his name within a day-and-a-half and catches on quickly to new commands. The question is not if he understands what I’m asking of him but whether he wants to obey or not. At first, he constantly tested his boundaries so I implemented the NILIF attitude. He still occasionally tests me and protests sometimes but I think that is because he is just a year old and his adolescent brain hasn’t emotionally matured yet.
Mick is a rough and tumble kind of boy; he likes his play hard and fast. He is by far the smartest dog I’ve worked with. He learns very quickly, even more so than my Border Collie mix. I also believe he would excel at agility or some sort of sport. He is definitely not a dog for a first-time dog owner. He is pushy and stubborn, yet sweet and funny. He needs a firm but fair hand. He responds very well to praise and cannot abide a severe voice. I can see that he would absolutely not tolerate unfair or harsh handling. I believe he could easily turn aggressive or shut down completely if handled improperly.
He has improved so much since I brought him home and I am very pleased with his progress. Even so, being high energy and “handicapped” because of an adolescent brain he occasionally argues with me. It's actually quite funny because I know he's just testing the boundaries. He really does want to please. He thrives on praise.
When I read about the Malinois’ temperament and personality it might have well been describing Mickey. Regardless of his heritage, he is going to be a wonderful dog for the right family.
I imagine he will always be the kind of dog who pushes boundaries, needing an owner who is very patient, is just a bit more stubborn, just a bit more determined than he. That's where I come in and for the most part he's been a joy to foster.
His petfinder.com web site has three pictures. If you wouldn’t mind taking a look and giving me your opinions about Mickey I would really appreciate your input.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13893571
Thanks in advance.
by Ramage on 20 December 2009 - 01:12
Looks like a GSD mix to me. I don't really see any Mali, but that is just my opinion. Either way, he looks like a nice boy. Congrats on the new addition!
by Legacy K9 on 27 December 2009 - 22:12
I agree, very pretty dog and looks like a sweetheart, but I don't see Malinois in him. GSD and maybe Collie?
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