Your thoughts on malinois vs german schepherd - Page 2

I have had and worked both for years,schutzhunnd,SAR and LE. It's not the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog. If I had a choice to fight a 50 lb. Mal or 90lb. GSD in an alley(assuming they're both equally average or above average LE K-9's),I'd rather fight the GSD any day.Any cop will tell you Mal's are crazy.Once they're triggered they DO with extreme intensity. But I think they are more reactive, moving faster than they think.For search work GSD is my 1st choice.They tend to think things out,analyzing as they go,adjusting to fluid situations.I like the way they work out problems.I think they generally make better companions too.

I've worked both in tending sheep. Many more GSDs than MAls so this is anecdotal. They are very similar but also very different. I would say that the Mals (really all the Belgians as they are really one breed everywhere but the US) are more reactionary and the shepherds a bit more thoughtful. The Mals (again really all of the Belgians) to be a little more frenetic in their responses and fewer have a really correct grip in this work (ideally full moth on back of neck, ribs or upper thigh, no shaking and quick release) The Belgians tend to have more of a slashing grip on sheep. the GSDs also have more power and presense, the Belgians more speed, speed does not equate to power on sheep but it does make mean the handler must be faster and anticipate a faster and greater response from the dog. I find the GSDs to be sounder mentally and more trustworthy and honest. Susan

Excellent comments,Thank You all.

I remember this joke about the difference between MALS and the GSD... If you were to THROW a bone, on a window, on top of a building... The MAL will surely jump to its death to get the bone with your command.(If they always do this no more MALS will be left for work.) Compared to the GSD who will run to the window then full stop with a curious feeling will hesitate and try a betterway like looking for the staircase to go downstairs... This is because NO ONE CAN DENY that WOLF blood runs through the veins of GSD's that the original group called PHYLAX society tried to establish but lost momentum. Wolves are known for their self preservation and instincts that GSD's when released in the wild can intermingle and survive while the MALS cannot. No actual facts and guys... this is just a joke

I disagree that mals are better than the gsd's. One evidence of this is the border patrol as they went to using mals but over the last few years have went back to the gsd's. These dogs actually have to work!

I work for a facility that trains K9 and we only use GSD's. I've seen maybe 1 mal in the 7 years I've been there as a K9, some labs and a drahar for drug/bomb work, but thats it. My experience with mals is limited, I really havent worked with one I've actually enjoyed, my understanding is GSD's are used because they are more about pleasing thier handler rather than pleasing themselves. I think the reason so many people think malinois are drivier than GSD's is because of the hordes of "trainers" out there that seem to think hyperactivity=drive.

KCzaja, By your own admission your experience with Mals is limited. If you have only seen one good Mal in 7 years, I would say you are not seeing very many of them or your training facility does not work well with them. DR, I would like to hear your opinion on why you think Mal's are not better(strictly in the work) than GSD's. I was mistaken in that Orry was an FCI champion. Erika Mat-Roz won in 1997, 10 years ago. Pick a bite work sport venue, any venue, in which Mals do not completely dominate. IPO, DVG, French Ring, Mondio Ring, Belgian Ring, KNPV, PSA. Name one shepherd in the last 10 years that have won a National or World Championship in any of these sports. I can tell you one. Jon Donias GSD won last years PSA level 2. Other than it just has not happened. The Belgians and the Dutch put shepherds into their Mals but outright GSD's just don't beat Mals. Sorry but facts are facts. As for Law Enforcement, they are starting to go back to shepherds, as it should be, military probably should as well. The level of training is not that of top level sport. In addition, the typical personality of a law enforcement officer lends them to be more adaptable to a shepherd. Not trying to be argumentetive, just want to know your reasoning. The proof is in the pudding. I love my little shepherd pup. She is my first and very young so the verdict is still out. She will do just fine. If I can win another National event with her remains to be seen. This is a GSD board so I know I am the minority. With all that said, a good dog is a good dog whatever the breed.

Oh I just remembered a GSD won the French Mondio Nationals a while back. I stand corrected that makes two.

I must agree....it's like comparing apples and oranges! But my little Mal girl is no where near shy, and doesn't know the meaning of a stranger. She is a few month younger then my GSD pups, but IMO, from what I observe...My GSD pups are "thinkers"...they think about what they are going to do before they do it. Example... I have a little wading pool for the dogs. My GSD's will go over, sniff it, lick it, then step a paw in. The Mal runs like a bat out of hell, and jumps right in it! LOL And I have also noticed that the little Mal is a little less forgiving when it comes to mistakes. But not in a bad way..she just pouts! Is that typical? Chrissy

I own both a mal and a gsd. the malinois as a whole is a far healthier breed. they tend to be lighter boned which helps with agility. the malinois for the most part is strickly a working breed with very little influence from the show ring (i think is a good thing). from a training point they (a good one) are a dream to train as long as your training is clear and clean.