Belgian Malinois Dog Breed Tips And Information

Originally there were as many as eight Belgian breeds of the same genetic inheritance that were used as herding dogs and drovers in Belgium and Germany. Through the years the Belgian Sheepdogs have been narrowed to four “types” or representatives. The Belgian Sheepdogs are represented in the American Kennel Club registry by the four types known as follows: the Groenedael, the Lakenois, the Malinois and the Tervuren.

The Belgian Malinois is one of the most well known of the Belgian breeds, having been used not only as a dog that will herd the flocks but having gained much recognition in the armed forces and with police units as a dog that is a great drug, narcotic and bomb detector. In Search and Rescue the dog has also shown that it has a great aptitude.

The Belgian Malinois at first may appear to look similar to that of a German Shepherd but a closer look reveals a dog that is of smaller proportion and has a somewhat “snipier” look to the head. The instinctive behaviors of a herding dog, being a protector and a drover, is the inheritance of the Belgian Malinois, but the reputation of the breed in modern times has become that of a highly respected and courageous police dog breed, a dog whose protective instincts of taking care of his “flock” have been channeled into a protective instinct to care for his human companion and “partner”.

The character of the Belgian Malinois should be one of extreme loyalty to his master. He should be watchful and alert, ready to guard and protect but never being vicious. He can be and often is trained as an effective “attack dog” but should never demonstrate aggressive behavior, rather should behave exactly as commanded with speed and a steady temperament.

Increasingly these dogs have been used as detection dogs not only for their sense of smell which is highly regarded but also for their strong “prey drive”, which when translated into “play drive” makes these dogs willing to perform for hours on end for a chance to play with their favorite “toy”. Persons who enjoy the ring sport of Schutzhund often have found that the Belgian Malinois can be a top performer in this area and in the area of Obedience competitions.

The Belgian Malinois is a medium sized dog of moderate build. The coat is very similar in appearance and texture to that of the German Shepherd. His head is of “cleaner ” lines than the Shepherd. The Malinois should be agile and quick, showing speed for short bursts and great power . He should move gracefully and have the ability to make sharp turns as any dog with herding abilities can.

The face often has a black mask and the color of the coat can range from shades of gray to red to black and tan, typically of a double pigment (where each lighter colored hair has a black tip). The coat is easy care, needing a brushing with a medium stiff brush regularly and an occasional bath, but it is not long enough to tangle or mat and sheds out easily. The breed generally exhibits few health problems, there is a propensity to hip and elbow dysplasia and the responsible breeders should x-ray for this condition before using the dog for breeding. Also CERF examinations should be undertaken on a regular basis.

Beagle Dog Special Tips for Care

Beagles are happy loving dogs that have a long relationship with man as a hunting companion. Although no one knows for sure where these dogs descended from, there are records of small hunting dogs that go back to the 13th century and it is no secret these dogs are quite successful for hunting fox and rabbit.

Their great nose not withstanding, beagles are also fun companions that can adapt easily to family life. However, you will have to keep in mind that the Beagle does have strong instincts for the chase and you must never let him loose or walk him without his lead.

Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884, this popular breed is muscular with long droopy ears, dark eyes, a short coat and a keen sense of smell. The breed comes in two sizes – one under 13 inches and one between 13 and 15 inches. He can be any color but typical beagles show tan and black on white.

Along with his propensity for chasing small animals, the Beagles voice can be another one of his less lovable traits. The beagle has a rather loud howl which is great for helping hunters find them when they are on the trail of prey, but not so good when they are waking you up with it in the middle of the night. Beagles do tend to bark when they hear strange noises and can bay loudly when left alone for long periods of time so if you are considering a Beagle for apartment life then you might want to think twice.

Beagles are very active dogs and need to be exercises regularly. You shouldn’t leave them out unattended though so be prepared to walk them daily and take them to the park on weekends. Beagles are very social and will not like being left alone for long periods of time or they can become destructive.

Although Beagles are fairly easy to groom with their short coat, you should plan to brush them once a week to remove dead hair. They can take to rolling in icky stuff so you be prepared to bathe him at times as well. The long droopy ears can become infected easily and must be examined frequently to be sure no infection is brewing.

One thing to watch for in your pet Beagle is overeating. Beagles like to eat and are not finicky at all about what they put in their mouths. In fact, you might find your Beagle rummaging in the trash for a snack shortly after dinner. Since Beagles are small dogs, you do need to be sure your pet does not overeat as this can cause him to become overweight which will bring on health problems.

Beagles can live to be around 15 years of age if cared for properly. Some diseases to be watched for in this breed in particular include epilepsy, glaucoma, cataracts, invertebral disk disease, hypothyroidism and retinal apathy. Getting your beagle from a good breeder with healthy lineage is key to avoiding these kinds of disease.

Some History of Designer Breeds and The Problem

Although the concept is by no means new; many people are discovering that some of the latest breeds of super dogs are not as great as their breeders would have you believe.

Of the “designer dog club” the ‘Labradoodle’ is probably the most well known. The ‘Labradoodle’ was originally bred for sight impaired individuals who had severe reactions to dog’s fur. This new hybrid aimed to combine the intelligence of the Labrador with a non-shedding poodle. However you may or may not have a puppy that will be non-shedding. Labradoodles have been around for over 20 years and are gaining recognition.

But the term ‘designer mutts’ can be used to describe any number of endless combinations of dogs who have been bred for particular valued qualities. Ever thought about owning a Dorgi? That’s a cross between a Corgi and a Dachshund. How about a Puggle? That’s a cross between a Beagle and a Puggle. There are many variations on breeds with poodles now too. This often results in comical names – the Corgi Poo; or the Shih Poo, the variations are endless.

Hypoallergenic, intelligent and some say healthier than average – these dogs are becoming popular throughout the world.
Yet the American Kennel Club refuses to accept these new breeds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 153 breeds at present; and says that these dogs don’t meet their criteria.

The American Hybrid Club seems to be the answer for the breeders who are rallying to have their new combinations recognized. They argue that in fact all dog breeds exist as a result of some kind of experimentation with mixing breeds.

There are many inherent dangers associated with mixing breeds that would never have bred naturally. The main problem is that you never really know exactly what you will be getting. Most often you can learn a great deal about a dog by the look and temperament of their parents – but with these dogs there is no way to tell if you will end up with a mouse sized dog – or a dog the size of a small donkey.

And it’s not just looks. You might be unpleasantly surprised to find that your new puppy has the temperament of a hostile dictator; or worse is very aggressive. These are serious faults; especially if you intend to introduce your cute new ‘Schnoodle’ (a mixture of a Schnauzer and a poodle) to your kids you never know what might happen.

Is that really a chance you want to take?

Also, these new breeds are by no means considered cheap. You could get an equivalent mix at a shelter for free. But some breeders are charging thousands of dollars for dogs they cannot personally guarantee.
They claim these dogs take the best of both breeds. But there is an equal risk that the dog can end up with the worst from breeds. This seems like a staggering chance to take.

In an attempt to create super dog these breeders are using breeding techniques that seem strangely unnatural. Certain Bulldog combinations always require artificial insemination for successful mating to occur. And you can’t count on Caesar section.
Many of the crossbreeds are bred for profit. Unscrupulous practices which lead to fashion item dogs will create a host of problems for future generations.

If you have your heart set on a designer dog bear in mind you might end up paying more in vet bills. Your puppy will need a vast array of tests.

There are many well-established variations. Purebred dogs have a proven track record. You can say with greater certainty what your Labrador will look like. You will also have a greater idea of what kinds of health problems to expect in your Dachshund.

You can also find adult crossbreeds in a number of places. Adult dogs are often a good choice for families who have children or who need to be sure of the dog’s temperament. And of course giving a loving home to a homeless dog is always a good thing.
If you have your heart set on one of the new crossbreeds; try to learn what you can before deciding on the particular dog or cross.

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