One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, “are Belgian Malinois good family dogs?” Well, it depends. This breed is not your typical household pet. Not only are they specifically trained to protect their owners, but this breed is intelligent, loving, and extremely hard working.
All of these qualities make Belgian Malinois good family dogs. However, the question really is, will their temperament fit into your family’s lifestyle?
Let’s learn more about this breed and if a Belgian Malinois family protection dog is right for you!
The Best Type of Owner for this Breed
Rather than only asking are Malinois good family dogs, it’s important to ask what type of family is good for the dog. Every family has a different lifestyle, and the purpose of getting a protection dog will vary.
This might be the hard part, but it’s vital to be completely honest with yourself about the amount of time you can spend with your dog, the space you can provide for it, and how practical it is to keep up the training your protection dog received.
Protection dogs are loving, but they are not typical “lap dogs.” They despise boredom and thrive on work and play. They need owners who have lots of energy to devote to running with them, playing with them, continuing to train them, and help them stay active.
If:
Your family is the type where everyone leaves at 7 am sharp and only return in the evening, you probably won’t be a good fit for a protection dog.
The Belgian Malinois is a working breed dog. They are happiest and most satisfied when they are given regular jobs and stimulation throughout the day.
Say you have a job that allows your protection dog to travel with you or you work from home, they will be the happiest. Remember, these dogs are trained to be furry bodyguards. Trained Belgian Malinois want to protect their owners, but they can’t if you’re gone all day.
Belgian Malinois protection dogs are ideal for people who need protection on the road in addition to families with spouses and children who stay at home.
Your protection dog will fiercely protect the family they are around, so if you want to provide an extra layer for your stay-at-home spouse and toddler, a Belgian Malinois is a great option for you.
What Makes the Belgian Malinois a Good Family Dog?
The Belgian Malinois comes from a working dog breed and they live to be helpful. They will view themselves as part of your “pack” and protect you and your family at all costs. These are energetic dogs that love to exercise.
If your family enjoys walks, hikes, bike rides, and trips outdoors, you will have no happier companion than your protection dog. Belgian Malinois are child friendly and will happily come along on any family adventure while it protects the whole family.
Should you receive your protection dog as a puppy, it’s important to note that Belgian Malinois puppies tend to nip. However, this is a stage and easily trained out of their behavior. These dogs are extremely intelligent and train well, enabling them to become the perfect family dog.
If you’re looking for a living, breathing alarm system that can go beyond simply alerting you to an intruder’s presence, a Belgian Malinois protection dog is what you’re looking for.
These dogs are family friendly dogs that protect your family at all costs. They will keep you, your spouse, and your children safe, even if it means putting their own lives in the way.
When with your family, they are always alert and on guard, vigilant against threats. If a person appears suspicious or threatening, your Belgian Malinois protection dog will alert you and the intruder. They will first appear threatening to tell the suspicious person to back away.
If:
The potential attacker does not back down, your protection dog will wait only for a signal from you before they attack. Personal protection dogs are trained to obey instantly, ensuring timely response to threats and attacks against anyone in your family.
Should a burglar try to enter your home at night, your Belgian Malinois protection dog will not only alert you but will serve as a first responder to deal with the threat on the scene. No alarm system can be this effective and there is no better protection system in the world.
Are Belgian Malinois Good with Other Dogs?
Belgian Malinois are incredibly intelligent and can be trained to do nearly anything. If adequately socialized and trained from an early age, Belgian Malinois protection dogs will happily play and socialize with other well-trained dogs.
They form strong bonds with dogs that work or live with them, so if you’re planning on getting a second dog or have one already, they’ll likely become best friends.
Your personal Belgian Malinois protection dog has been trained to be the best of the best in the dog world. It’s wise to know who they are socializing with. Ensure the other dogs your Belgian Malinois has for playmates are well-trained, non-aggressive, and intelligent dogs.
Because they are so intelligent, Belgian Malinois can tend to display dominant behavior if in a pack situation. They don’t look kindly on bad dog behavior and won’t think twice about putting a misbehaving dog in its place.
They are not aggressive, but they’ll be the top dog in a pack and will let their rank be known if need be. This is something to keep in mind when socializing your Belgian Malinois with other dogs.
Is Your Family Right for a Belgian Malinois?
The best Belgian Malinois for a family is a trained one. This breed is ideal for guarding families and working with law enforcement. There are a lot of misconceptions about this breed and protection dogs in general as aggressors and unsuitable for families.
However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. A well-trained protection dog could be one of the most loyal and loving pets you have, and they will lay their life on the line to protect you.
Would you consider getting a Belgian Malinois?