Can they live together ?? - Page 1

Can a Malinois and a GSD live in harmony, within the same household?

I have a 6 month old male GSD, he's my first GSD and he's been fantastic to live with thus far, and he lives with us in the house. I want a second dog this next year, but I am no longer desirous of a second GSD.  

We live in the sticks near the top of a mountain on five acres. Much of our property is fenced and we have lots of dog fencing. Heck, if need be, I'll turn the entire property into a dog Disneyland, but I will still want both dogs to get along and live inside when were are not out playing.. ;>) I am with my dog 24/7 and I plan to keep both dogs with me when I leave the property. I also plan to take my dogs on boating trips and fishing with me, as well as when we travel, so they need to get along.

I am just now beginning my research on the Malinois breed. While I have always preferred large powerful male dogs, I may be willing to get a female for the second dog, if that's what's needed to keep from turning my home into a dog hell. ;>)

Thank you for your thoughts.....

Gator

 Hmmmm Up to 20 views already and no replies.... I must have asked a very dumb question.

Depends on the dogs temperaments. How is the dog you have, dominant, calm, hyper, shy, snappy, stable? Age of current dog? Age of new dog you plan to get? 2 dogs of the same sex CAN get along but your odds with 2 males, is better than 2 females and then even better with a male/female pair but nothing is/can be written in stone.

What is attracting you to the Malinois?  What made the decision to not get a second shepherd?

Just curious, not critical.

I used to train with Ivan Balabanov (Ot Vitosha Malinois) and so I did spend quite a bit of time around Malinois.

4pack , thank you for your response. The 6 month old pup I have seems very stable and generally calm. He does get energy spurts and the clown will wear me out then, but he's having fun when we play. He's been good with other dogs and he loves people, especially kids and the ladies.    I suspect it's tough to accurately forecast what he may be like when he's older, but right now he's great to have around. He's a very lovable dog.  He is beginning to show some signs of protection around the house, in that he will bark and actually act pi$$ed if he thinks the boogyman might be outside. I just remain quiet, act calm and he quiets right down most of the time. We live out in the country, so I suspect he's alerting to wild animals from time to time.   As for the age of the second dog, I am not sure yet. I have always started with my dogs as a pup, but I might be convinced to buy a dog a little older.  My experience has been with Dobermans and I have raised a male and female together and they got along fantastically. I know that if I had another male in the house at the time, my guy would have not done well with that.   For what it's worth, I plan to take my time and shop until I drop over this, I will not be as unprepared as I find I may have been with the purchase of my GSD.   Have a Merry Christmas....
   

 Pharaoh
  I will gladly answer your question, but it's going to take me a bit of time to try to find a way to word my post such as to not insult others....so please check back later. It's complicated, at least is is in my mind at the moment.

Pharaoh     I want to have two dogs. I love dogs, dogs love me and frankly, I'd rather be around dogs than most people. Stupid dogs are cute, but I can't stand to be around stupid dogs. Protection is one task I like in a dog, yet I want them to be HEALTHY, sociable, loving, obedient, thinkers and very intelligent, good looks is also nice. I think that both breeds can fit the bill. I would dearly love to compete in dog sports, but I think I 'may' have gotten too old for that. Heck, I think I would like to be a breeder, but it would just take me too long to learn enough to be able to do it right...... and there are already too many a$$es out there breaking peoples hearts with their scams. 
I have met two Malinois in person. Both were LEO K9's and both impressed me. It was explained to me that they were like GSD's, on crack. ;>)
I have watched countless videos of both GSD, and Mal's working and doing obedience. Both breeds are impressive. The Mal's seem extremely focused, intent on wining, exacting in following commands without hesitation-- with great speed, and they seem very obedient. I see much of this with the GSD, but right or wrong, I have a very bad taste in my mouth with some of the GSD community at the moment. Granted, I could find that the same problems exist in the Mal community as well... we shall see.
You see, there seems to be many dedicated and knowledgeable GSD lovers on the web, including this board, but I feel like I may very well have been screwed over with the purchase of my pup. I find some of what I am now seeing in the breeding community, very disgusting, dishonest and nothing short of a scam. I won't list it all out, but suffice it to say... I don't trust ANY of it anymore. If I EVER did buy another GSD, I would travel to Germany or some other country to find it.... if I am going to get screwed, I might as well get a trip out of it. ;>)
 

I have 3 working line male GSDs living together in my house with K9Ulfs Malinois bitch and they get on fine, she plays with the boys individually.  I also have a tough male Malinois, Dark, who shares a kennel with my Ridgeback bitch and they are like an old married couple, bicker a bit but basically love each other (remind me of my parents!)

Margaret N-J

 Thank you Margaret, that's encouraging. 

Merry Christmas....

Hi, and Merry Xmas.

You seem to lead a great active lifestyle and include your dogs in everything you do, and an active dog is a contented one. It doesnt sound as though they would have time to think about disagreeing with each other!  I think a persons lifestyle can make a difference in the canine harmony. Bored, inactive dogs look for something to occupy their brains with and probably vie for the slighest bit of human attention, whereas well balanced, excersised and stimulated dogs are more content in my opinion. I would opt for the dog/bitch scenario, but I have had 3 males before now living together and never a cross word.

Just my opinion, and i sure somebody will disagree!

Jane