Belgian Malinois

I met a Belgian Malinois the other day. Belgian Malinois isn't a very common breed in America. Buffy just recently started coming to the PetsHotel Day Camp. She's super sweet and super smart. Her mom was saying when they used to live in a war zone, Buffy would actually warn them of danger even before the missile sirens even went off. She was also saying how this particular breed is very intelligent and can learn all sorts of things, (ie. how Buffy can recognize her name when it's written out), but she had to be very strict because Buffy could have become too protective or too mischievous given the type of personality they are known to have.

Here's an excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:
"The Belgian Malinois is one of four Belgian sheepdogs. A very bright and obedient dog, it is determined and observant with strong protective and territorial instincts. Socialize well to prevent it from becoming shy or sensitive. The Belgian Malinois needs an experienced master who is firm, but not heavy handed. If you are harsh or overbearing it will become uncooperative. Owners need to display a confident, natural authorityover the dog. Consistant rules must be set and made clear. This breed is instinctively protective so it should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Puppies should be socialized right from birth. Good for working and competition obedience, these dogs make excellent police and guard dogs...They do however, make excellent pets if they have owners who can challenge their minds with an air of leadership. They are ever watchful, alert and loyal. The Belgian Malinois is good with children if socialized well with them. This breed needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel. They need leadership, daily exercise along with training and companionship, for without it they may become destructive and hard to handle. The Belgian Malinois is high energy, with a high mental capacity, and is quick to comprehend. It needs a job to do, especially if you are dealing with working lines...

Height: Males 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm) Females 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)
Weight: 55 - 65 pounds (24 - 29 kg)"
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/belgianmalinois.htm

Not a pet for the average family, the Belgian Malinois is a very smart dog who needs an experienced parent. Because they are so intelligent and were originally bred to be guard dogs, it's very important to properly socialize them. Buffy is one of the sweetest dogs I know, but her mom made it a point to get her very socialized when she was young.