Breed Info - Belgian Malinois
Overview
Breed Group
Herding Size Large How much exercise? More than 2 hours per day Length of coat Medium How much grooming? More than once a week |
Sheds?
Yes Town or Country Either Type of home Large House Minimum Garden Size Large Lifespan Over 10 Years |
Description
Smart, confident, hard-working
Belgian Shepherds are described as both sheepdogs and guards. They are essentially graceful without being too refined. They give the appearance of being purposeful creatures, and their somewhat laconic gait clause, ‘brisk, free and even’ does not give the full flavour of their unique mode of progression, which is one of efficiency above all, with a high style.
It is continually a matter of debate whether we should take what is in truth a working breed and try to turn it into a family companion/pet, but it has been done in many breeds in the past, especially the recent past, and this applies equally to the Belgian Shepherd. Provided owners do not lose sight of the fact that these are active animals requiring adequate exercise, both physical and mental, little harm is done. But, as in many other working breeds, we must never lose sight of the history of service of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, or we shall find ourselves with dogs whose basic temperaments have been changed for the worse and out of all recognition.
Smart, confident, hard-working
Belgian Shepherds are described as both sheepdogs and guards. They are essentially graceful without being too refined. They give the appearance of being purposeful creatures, and their somewhat laconic gait clause, ‘brisk, free and even’ does not give the full flavour of their unique mode of progression, which is one of efficiency above all, with a high style.
It is continually a matter of debate whether we should take what is in truth a working breed and try to turn it into a family companion/pet, but it has been done in many breeds in the past, especially the recent past, and this applies equally to the Belgian Shepherd. Provided owners do not lose sight of the fact that these are active animals requiring adequate exercise, both physical and mental, little harm is done. But, as in many other working breeds, we must never lose sight of the history of service of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, or we shall find ourselves with dogs whose basic temperaments have been changed for the worse and out of all recognition.
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