One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, “Are Belgian Malinois good family dogs?” Well, it depends on what kind of dog you’re looking for and what kind of effort you’re willing and able to put in. 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. You might also wonder, “Are Belgian Malinois good with other dogs?” Again, it depends, but they can be excellent.
Many qualities make the Belgian Malinois a good family dog. However, the question really is, will their temperament fit into your family’s lifestyle? Let’s learn more about this breed and whether a Belgian Malinois family protection dog is right for you!
Belgian Malinois Temperament: What You Need to Know
Before bringing any dog into your home, it’s important to understand the breed’s temperament. This helps ensure that you’re prepared to meet your new dog’s needs and that the dog is meeting your needs, too. Belgian Malinois are working dogs, characterized by their intelligence, energy, and high responsiveness. An especially loyal breed, they’re vigilant, hard-working, and always ready for any job. However, energetic dogs need to be exercised properly, and intelligent dogs require ample entertainment to prevent them from getting into mischief.
Many people looking for family protection dogs wonder, “Is a Belgian Malinois a good family dog?” They certainly can be, but you need to be clear about what you need from your dog. If you’re looking for an immediately friendly and hyper-social dog, a Belgian Malinois might not be the right fit. While they are confident dogs and deeply loyal to the people they love, they are somewhat indifferent to strangers. Additionally, because they’re naturally protective, they will require consistent training to ensure that they don’t apply those protective instincts every time the doorbell rings.
The Best Type of Owner for this Breed
Rather than simply asking, “Is a Belgian Malinois a good family dog?” It’s essential to consider what type of family is best suited 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 helping them stay active. Are Belgian Malinois good with kids and a busy household? They can be, but consider the following.
- If your family is the type where everyone leaves at 7 am sharp and only returns in the evening, you probably won’t be a good fit for a protection dog.
- 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.
The Belgian Malinois is a working breed. They are happiest and most satisfied when they are given regular jobs and stimulation throughout the day. If 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.
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 protecting 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 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 a 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 also 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.
The Importance of Professional Training for Family Life
If you have a family, you’ll want to know: Are Belgian Malinois good with kids? This breed can be wonderful with kids since they’re extremely loyal to their loved ones. As with other dogs, the key to well-behaved dogs who are patient with kids is ample and early training and socialization. Children are impulsive, and they frequently do things like pulling on dogs’ ears, fur, or tails, or surprising them while they’re eating or sleeping. Early socialization and exposure to children are vital. This allows your dog to get used to spending time around kids so they can be prepared for the unpredictability of kids.
But that’s only one step. Belgian Malinois are smart and very responsive to training of all kinds, so training your dog early about how to respond to unpredictable kids is essential. Is a Belgian Malinois a good family dog without training? Probably not. Professional training should start early with any dog that has natural protective instincts, so they know when and where to use them. It’s also important that your dog learns to quickly respond to commands and signals, so that you can trust that they’ll be obedient, even when a child is testing boundaries.
So, is a Belgian Malinois a good family dog for you? With early and consistent training and socialization, they could be your perfect family protection dog.
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. If you have another dog already, you’ll likely wonder: Are Belgian Malinois good with other dogs in the home? 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?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Belgian Malinois safe around young children?
With early and consistent training and socialization, a Belgian Malinois can be great with kids. However, it is always advisable to supervise young children with any dog.
Do Belgian Malinois require special training to be family dogs?
While Belgian Malinois are extremely loyal to loved ones, they should receive professional training to prepare for the unpredictability of kids. This helps ensure obedience, patience, and adaptability so they don’t apply their natural protective instincts incorrectly.
How much exercise does a Belgian Malinois need as a family pet?
This breed is high-energy and requires regular exercise to work that energy off. Since kids have lots of energy, too, you can involve them by walking, hiking, swimming, or just playing with your dog. Your family should be dedicated to keeping your Belgian Malinois active daily.
Are Belgian Malinois aggressive towards strangers or visitors?
Belgian Malinois are typically indifferent toward strangers, but because they’re naturally protective, they could respond protectively if they think the situation calls for it. Make sure your Belgian Malinois is well-trained and socialized so they know how to respond appropriately.