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Belgian Malinois too high prey drive to live with small dogs?
After some research now my friend who was considering a German Shepard is thinking more
about a Belgian Malinois because they are smaller and less likely perhaps to have any hip, joint issues later in life. What I read is they are very high energy and high prey which is why the military uses them allot now. She also has small Shih Tzus but recently lost her Mastiff and wants another
big dog to go on walks & runs with her. I am thinking those Shih Tzu's are not safe?
What if she got a puppy & raised it with them, should be ok then right?
4 Answers
- Jason St. CloudLv 410 years agoFavorite Answer
I wouldn't even recommend her getting one. Malinois are 10x the dog a German Shepherd is. You have to be slightly insane to own one and the average owner is not equipped to handle this breed. She should just stick to GSDs.
- ?Lv 510 years ago
Every dog is an individual so it highly depends on the socialization level if she gets a puppy (which would be her best bet in she REALLY needs to have a Malinois). Firstly, I would recommend getting a shelter dog instead, you can often find purebred GSDs or shepherd crosses which are lovely, good-looking, and in need or a good home. Secondly, I would have to agree with you that it would definitely be risky to have a Malinois in the same household as a smaller dog, BUT saying that, the clinic I work at has a family with a Malinois and a small kitten that are the best of friends.
Source(s): I am a veterinary office assistant - AllanasLv 710 years ago
Malinois should be fine with small dogs when raised and socialized with them. The dog will need to be desexed young. I really recommend doing it before puberty just to be safe. (No issues with hormone related aggression if they're done young)
BEWARE!
These are not "stay at home dogs".
They need jobs.
They need hours and hours of hard exercise.
They need something to think about.
Even if your mom was training for a cross country run and spent most of her days jogging - that still wouldn't be enough. Jogging is boring after a while. You'd still have behavioral issues. She's going to have to take up a sport like agility and spend most of her days doing that sport.
Don't get a Malinois. They aren't for the average dog owner. They're for law enforcement or other "heavy labor".
