Are Belgian Malinois replacing German shepherds? - Page 2

Aren't German Shepherd's all one breed?  Do working dogs have a GSDa and show dogs have a GSDb?  What are the percentages of show line dogs that are on the street vs. working dogs?  Is this the kind of partner that someone's life can depend on?  Sorry, that's a lot of questions but if that were my dog he'd stay in the house where no one could see him.

The funny part is the knuckleheads in the stands are applauding that junk.  Love the droopy head on the heeling to the "attack".  I guess there is a downside to a dog with a big head,,,,,,,they're very very heavy.

Phil, STOP bashing the showlines. They can work just like the other lines...you just happened to pick one to make them look bad...there are plenty of show dogs that can work and also compete with Malinois because there are plenty of good working German Shepherds in all the lines.!!!
You just have to open your eyes !!

You can't be serious.  I just happened to pick one??????  This is the great and powerful Oz,,,,,,I mean Vegas.  Did you happen to witness the bite work at the USCA Sieger Show?  Don't insult my pre-school intelligence by insinuating a show dog could go through the pressure put on during a Malinois Korung.  Did you even read what you wrote?

How about that there Dovre Fjeld Vasco. Pretty and cool Malinois I think.

 There is no replacing of these breeds each breed offers it,s own positives and negetives, I have seen Malis as dumb as a stump on the training field scared of there own shadows in prptection or complete balls of nerves but I don,t let the occasional one that I see decide for the rest of the breed only a fool would make such a statment.

I enjoy whatching a Mali work well as do I enjoy the same for the German Shepherd the latter just happens to be my favorite that I enjoy hence why I own them. As to which one carries the largest man hood? I,ll leave that discussion to more learned members here. I,ve been pleased to own shepherds that work very well have plenty of drives for the work and good health thru out, They werent the exception but the rule. Matter of fact I,ve been told more then once that my Axel who is 9 now is nothing more then a malinois in a sheperd coat so I can take that as a complement it would seem It doesnt offend me.   

 

Have to agree with Phil Behun. Unfortunately the bite work he showed of the VA dog is the norm, well he would probably be better than the norm for those dogs. Look at videos of the Sieger show bitework Both the German and the US. Sure there are some bad malinois. Its just your chances of getting a good one are far better than of any other working breed. I can't say its the animals fault its the politics of the dog world. 30 years ago you have some  great working dogs that where also show dogs coming from Germany. They for the most part they use to all be the same. If the judges had not consistently passed the dogs over the years in protection we could still have a half decent show dog in the bitework. It was all for politics and the $. This never happened to the Malinois. Sure there are some show ones that are not as good as the working ones but the working ones out number them 1000 to 1.

i'm just a nobody, but i've seen more than enough shepherds that i'd have no trouble entrusting my safety and life with if I had to.  I've seen a couple Mal's too.  and i've seen plenty of shit, from both breeds.  But I guess others know more, or at least think they do.

I have to agree...there is no replacing the GSD with anything, and they are TWO SEPARATE breeds.  What i can't understand is someone that cross-breeds them, sells them as GSD's and does not inform the buyer they are not pure!!! 

Phil and Wrestleman,
I'd expect people with experience in dog sports to know the difference between bite work at the Sieger Show and show line dogs compared to working line GSD's. 

I've seen some great Mali's and some even better Dutch Shepherds for police work.  I've seen some excellent GSD's as well.  I've seen plenty of mali's that weren't capable of any kind of work or sport.  Hectic, handler sensitive and lacking nerve.  Don't get me wrong, I like Mali's.  But each breed has it's own pros and cons.  Not every Mali is suitable for high end sport work or Military or Police applications.  I may consider a Mali for my next police K9 if, but it has to be clear headed, not frantic or hectic and not handler sensitive in addition to having all of the other qualities I want.  I may got to a Dutch Shepherd over a Mali.  The DS seem to have more of the traits I like, high drive, not handler sensitive, not hectic, etc.  Just like a good working GSD. 

So for me are Mali's replacing GSD's?  Absolutely not.  Are mali's good working dogs , yes some are exceptional, some are ok, some are not good. 

It is very simple for me, I want the best working dog I can get for me or the other Officers in my K9 unit.  Here's what I look for:  high drive, clear headed, strong nerve and character, good mix of prey and defense leaning a little more to the defensive or civil side.  Handler hard, but not handler aggressive.  Overall, a high drive (must be very high drive), hard dog that is fast, agile and not over sized or too small. And it has to bite full and hard and have no environmental issues.  It's really not hard to find a GSD that fits these requirements, so why would I replace a good GSD with anything.  For me it's not an issue, but I'll pick the best dog for the job regardless of the breed that fits my PD's budget. 

And for those that think cost is not a factor, speak to some German K9 guys and ask them.  I have, and I know what their answer is and what they prefer. 

JMO FWIW,

Jim