We had a 3/4 Mal 1/4 GS for about 12 years. Her name was Lola and she was awesome.
She was a year and a half when we first got her. I'll be the first to admit, we were "overdogged" when we first got her. She had just been kept outside on a chain for most of her life, we started her the same way, but, being as I'm gone a lot and my wife was home alone, before long, we had a house dog whether I wanted one or not.
She housebroke herself. What few accidents she ever had in the house were simply because we wound up being caught out and no dog should be asked to hold it that long. The big problem was chewing. She chewed my tennis shoes, house shoes, treadmill cord, "NO!" really didn't seem to work with her. One day she chewed the vaccum cord. I whipped her with it (always regretted it), but she never chewed again.
She had more personality than any dog I've ever been around. We'd "wrestle". I'd wear a Carhart and leather gloves, and she'd still find a way to draw blood. If I was on the couch and she wanted to play, she'd sniff my jeans (to make sure I had my boot on), then grab my leg and drag me into the floor. She was athletic and FAST. She was generally good with other dogs but was VERY alpha female and would fight with another dog if it didn't submit. She would not tolerate a cat. Anywhere.
She was VERY good with kids. She was protective of small children. She'd sniff a baby, then stay close. If a baby was in it's crib, and the bedroom door was open, you'd find her laying in the floor in front of the crib. She was a constant companion to my wife (they could literally tell what the other was thinking). She had no "job" other than to be a companion.
She settled down as she got older. She never got fat. She was the smartest dog I've ever been around. Personality-wise, she had more than most people. She could say more with a look (and not all of it good) than most people can talking. She knew what you wanted her to do without asking. She could be aloof and ignore you when she took a mood. I swear the dog could tell when we were making fun of her (for one of her moods) and you could see her getting pissed. Even in her last year, every now and then, she'd let out some incredible burst of speed (even if she couldn't keep it up) or perform some acrobatic move that would amaze us.
In November of '18, she stumbled and fell in the kitchen one night, had difficulty walking, and was not in good shape. We were terrified and took her to the vet. Hermangiosarcoma. Vet said most dogs don't make it 3 months after the surgery. I told him to go ahead and do it. She lived another 13 months. We spoiled her as best we could in that time. In Dec. of '19, one night she started stumbling again. We took her to the vet the next day and had her put down. My wife had promised her that she would not let her suffer. Tearing up while I type. Still miss her.
A friend of my Father-In-Laws that trains dogs and had met and known Lola, bred his GS female to a Mal a few weeks back. We've been promised a female pup. We can't wait. A pup will be a bit more of a headache, but we'll make fewer mistakes this time. We'll socialize her from and early age. Even with cats.
Don't really understand the hate for the crosses, but, to each his/her own........
Thanks for sharing . Good deal on getting a new one
FUGK CCP
It’s time to WAKE UP GOD BLESS THE USA WWG1WGA THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES
I handle the Mals for the local rescue and have a rescued one myself. You tell people about drive and energy, they nod their heads. The reality though is outside the capacity of peoples comprehension. Even if you see it first hand the reality is that it goes all day and all night. Like the terminator, it never stops... AKC breed description says "make bad pets". I'm not exactly sure how I manage but, I have... A fairly serious case of ADHD maybe makes me similarly hyper focused and a good match, I'm not sure. Mine does insane frisbee tricks. We work on it constantly. They're tools not toys.
Ours get what we call crazy eyes, when he get that watch out, dam dog knocked our couch over, when he gets like that, wife and I just turn our back on him and he will come between my legs for me to calm him down. Have a friend that comes over all the time and Zeus always gets along with him, one day I was out in the field and he came over with my wife home alone, well he wasent allowed to get out of his car. Came home and knocked on his window and asked why he was in his car, told him to come in he asked you sure.
We're German Shorthair Pointer fans here and may not ever own another breed but if we needed a guard dog, I've always thought the Rottweiler looked like a good option. Surprised they haven't come up in the conversation. From those in the know, how would these rate for an average owner?
Biden's most truthful quote ever came during his first press conference, 03/25/21. Drum roll please...... "I don't know, to be clear." and THAT is one promise he's kept!!!
Another vote for a Heeler. Most loyal dog I've ever owned. Enough energy to go all day, but will lay down and take a nap with you. Loyal to the end. They can be a little tough to establish "pack dominance" with for a little while, but as long as they know you are the boss, they will do anything you want.
My now 3 year old used my female heeler for a pillow every day, and I would not suggest anyone she didn't know tried to pick him up.....
I agree. I have two Australian Cattle Dogs (red and blue heeler) I use for herding competition and they are my best buddies. They are great dogs and very loyal. I also feel very, very sorry for anyone who attempts to break in to my house or attempts to enter without my instruction to, "leave it." My Heelers also need a job to do but I've seen many Malinois in the herding arena and think they'd be difficult unless you are willing to be totally devoted to spend most of your time with the dog. Most of those I saw compete where handled by law enforcement people and even though the owners had a good handle on the dogs, they were usually disqualified due to over-aggression on the stock. Of course, I've been disqualified many times for the same issue with my heelers.
Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
No one I know that is serious about having well a trained dog has ever said anything positive about a Doberman.
I absolutely love German shepherds, but the house full of hair gives my wife too much ammo against me. I have had two German shepherds and I have never been able to to brush them enough to keep shedded fur under control. Pisses her off. That is why she is thinking of a Doberman. I countered with the Belgian malinios. Both still shed, but, they both have shorter fur and shed less than shepards.
I will be the first in your book then.
I rescued a Dobemarman that had come from a very high end breeder in KS. Obvious he had had some training before I got him but I never really figured to what extent and what his commands were.
My doberman was about the most devoted dog I have ever been around and I have been around more than most. Reading about dobermans, I learned their nickname is velcro. Because once they bond with you, they are attached to you like velcro.
Once he settled in here, I had ZERO concern about anyone doing anything to anyone in my family. My kids had an absolute rule, if they were home, that dog was in the house with them.
Couple different times he went after a person was when he perceived them coming after me or a friend or one of my kids. He would absolutely let them know he meant business. Was very loud and aggressive. Snapped or nipped once and then stood his ground. Could easily have bitten the crap out of those people. But he just nipped once and then held them off until I was able to get to him and call him off.
I am really counting the days until I can get another doberman.
I might be the exception to all the above, I am in my twenty first year of sharing my home/ life with 2 different Belgians, both females. It’s true about their stubbornness and drive, both mine were and are extremely interested in small animals, cats, squirrels and possums beware! Both were/are extremely protective of my home, but both As gentle as can be with my wife and I. My only consideration on getting another would be if I felt that I could uphold my part of the mental stimulation and physical part of owning a Mal. My current Mal is a big lapdog, literally, 65 lbs of sweetheart! I agree that they are getting trendy and lots of them will not fare well when the new wears off.
Dobies Can be sensitive in the extreme. Training has to be gentle and patient. Separation from their favorite human can make them depressed.
Weimarieners and German shorthaired pointers Both are great breeds, but am partial to gsp. Point is, both are general purpose breeds with more or less drive that can be managed by an average owner. Both can do family protection. Gsps seem a bit more devoted and protective without making a nuisance of themselves. Can be too high energy but the addition of a second dog makes them just about the perfect all rounder as the other dog provides an energy outlet.
Great Danes Maybe a gd resue could fill the less hairy ptotective gap. Two buddies went this route with success. A local older couple did, too. Remarkably mild breed but can get protective when occasion calss for it.
Regards,
deadlift_dude “The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence.” ----Fred Rogers
Thing about Mals is they are "soft" dogs. Labs are "hard" dogs. You can kick a lab around all you want and it'll still love you and obey. Your a real dick if you do but, it'l work. Mals are sensitive and will suffer. The best results come through games and play. Coercives have a place but, arenot the primary motivator. They are superstitous too. You can ruin one with a bad interaction.
This is the way it is with Chessies as well. That's one reason labs are so popular with the hunt test/field trial crowd. As with a Chessie, you have to work WITH the dog. These two breeds are not pack-oriented. They're independent thinkers. The first rule of dog training is, "You need to be smarter than the dog." Thus, a lot of people can train labs and GSD's...not so many Mals or Chessies.
Thing about Mals is they are "soft" dogs. Labs are "hard" dogs. You can kick a lab around all you want and it'll still love you and obey. Your a real dick if you do but, it'l work. Mals are sensitive and will suffer. The best results come through games and play. Coercives have a place but, arenot the primary motivator. They are superstitous too. You can ruin one with a bad interaction.
This is the way it is with Chessies as well. That's one reason labs are so popular with the hunt test/field trial crowd. As with a Chessie, you have to work WITH the dog. These two breeds are not pack-oriented. They're independent thinkers. The first rule of dog training is, "You need to be smarter than the dog." Thus, a lot of people can train labs and GSD's...not so many Mals or Chessies.
Actually, Labradors are much higher on the intelligence scale than both Malanois and Chesapeakes. In the four years I've had my Lab (with me pretty much 24/7) he has picked up so much language that I think he could speak simple sentences if he had the proper vocalization tools.
I've never made any attempt to teach him any words. He just picks up on them,..and very quickly if it's something that he's particularly interested in. He's also very tuned into body language.
He's a full member of our pack and he knows what the pack is doing or getting ready to do at all times.
Thing about Mals is they are "soft" dogs. Labs are "hard" dogs. You can kick a lab around all you want and it'll still love you and obey. Your a real dick if you do but, it'l work. Mals are sensitive and will suffer. The best results come through games and play. Coercives have a place but, arenot the primary motivator. They are superstitous too. You can ruin one with a bad interaction.
^^^This person has no fugking clue what he's talking about.^^^^
Originally Posted by Geno67
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual.
Originally Posted by Judman
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
Originally Posted by KSMITH
My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
Bless you and may the Lord be with you. Bobby Brown. Be Well, RZ
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
