My good friend who is a dog trainer offered me his 5 year old Belgian Malinois for adoption. He is trained as a protection dog so he can guard his master, bite on command, release the bite on command, stay until released and others. He has a trophy as third placer in Level 1 protection in a protection dog competition. I have two dogs at present: A one year-old and a nine month-old Labrador... both are females, obedience trained and not neutered.
I would like to adopt him and I know I can take care of him. Will he accept me after being my friend's favorite dog for 5 years? My friend assured me that he can transfer the loyalty of the dog to me. He is a fierce dog when in competition but a very quiet dog when outside the training ring. In fact my friend brings the dog with him all the time and I know of several occasions that the dog is off leash. He is giving him up because he wants to replace him with a younger dog.
Should I take him up on his offer?
Dear Mackie:
Yes... the dog will transfer his loyalty to you.
Here are two major issues you should consider before adopting this dog:
1. The Belgian Malinois (especially one that is bred and trained for bite work and protection dog sports) will require a lot of work ON YOUR PART to learn how to handle this dog. You're going to need a lot of training... one-on-one style... to successfully integrate this dog into your life. It's like driving a Ferrari or a race car. The car already runs great, but if you don't learn the right way to drive it, you'll end up killing yourself. And just because you already know how to drive a Subaru doesn't cut it... we're talking Ferrari, here. And the Belgian Malinois is a Ferrari with the tricked out Turbo engine.
2. The breed is an extremely HIGH DRIVE breed. This dog needs TONS of exercise and mental stimulation. TONS. Please take the time to recognize that adopting this dog will be a major responsibility.
If you decide to do it, and you are successful, you'll have an amazing companion. The breed is quite healthy and you can be content in knowing that you own a KING OF KINGS as far as working dogs are concerned.
Part of me has always wanted what you're thinking about getting. But my lifestyle and dedication to the exercise and training requirements are something I do not have at this current point in my life.
P.S. Make sure that the dog isn't dog aggressive before you decide to take ownership.
That's all for now, folks! Adam
Man's Best Friend has been a trusted protector of our homes for thousands of years. Their keen senses and awareness, along with a pack mentality, have made dogs a valuable asset to man in his effort to keep his home secure. In today's world, home protection dogs are more valuable than ever. They can deter break-ins, assaults, and give real world protection in situations where lethal force is not an option.
Of course, a trained protection dog is not a panacea and they are certainly not for everyone. Weighing your options is very important and there are many things to consider before your purchase.
1. COST The cost of a trained dog can be astronomical. A trained protection dog can cost as little as $1500 and as much as $50,000! While the old adage,"You get what you pay for," is generally true, the more expensive dog is not always the better one. Investigate costs from reputable trainers and compare your needs to your budget. Decide what you can afford and discuss this with your vendor. Some may even offer financing or payment plans.
2. BREED Some breeds are better suited for protection than others. While a Chihuaua may put on a defensive display that rivals a dog ten times its size, the reality is he cannot defend you or your home. The German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois are excellent choices for protection dogs. Their temperment and drives are suited for working, they are larger and more deterring, and will offer many years of faithful service. Giant breeds can be very intimidating, but are prone to health problems and in general lack the trainability of the other breeds. In all cases the dog should be purebred from quality working lines. European imported dogs seem to offer the best results as they are mainly bred for working ability and not for the show ring.
3. GUARANTEE If a vendor does not offer a replacement guarantee, they probably do not have your best interests in mind. Matching people with protection dogs is a process, and does not always work right the first time. A replacement guarantee offers peace of mind, knowing that you will get the right dog for you.
4. ENVIRONMENT What other pets do you have? Do you live in a studio apartment or a 5 bedroom home? Do you have children and how old are they? Are you ready to commit 10+ years to dog ownership? Reputable vendors should ask these questions and many more. They should try to find out as much as they can about your environment and needs to determine the dog most suitable to you. By putting a protection dog in an environment its not suited for, you are asking for trouble sooner rather than later.
5. ABILITY What is the dog trained to do? Will the dog bark only, or has it been trained to bite should the need arise? Is the dog obedient off the leash, or on leash only? Know what the dog is trained to do in all situations. If I am being attacked by two people will the dog know what to do? When you don't know the limitations of the dog, you could be setting yourself up for a bad day.
Both Adam Katz & Sean Muratet are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Adam Katz has sinced written about articles on various topics from Puppies Dogs, Dog Care and Pets. Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free we. Adam Katz's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Sean Muratet has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets. Sean Muratet is a professional police and protection dog trainer. He is the President of North Alabama K-9 Services,, a full servic. Sean Muratet's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.