Belgian Malinois are assured, smart animals that could make outstanding pets in the proper home. However, they need a regular training, workouts and continuous participation to perform well.
They also tend to develop a disease known as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which results in deterioration of the retina and blindness. Luckily, they can screen this disease genetically before being identified.
Choosing the Right Belgian Malinois Breeder
As much as we would want to sell everyone a puppy, responsible breeders worry about ensuring that they sell the puppy in a home that will be in a position to take good care of the dog and satisfy the needs of the dog.
To ensure the Belgian Malinois is the right choice, a good breeder will question you regarding your life, family set up and the experience you have had with dogs.
In case you cannot find out whether a Malinois is the correct breed to place in your house or not, discuss the issue with a well-known trainer that has worked with this breed and will give you an idea of how the training will go. The extra effort will be well justified in making a good match!
Responsible breeder might have to be discovered over time. Early starting and a patience is best.
Check Certifications and Health Checking.
Dogs, just like human beings, could be inherited with some of their health related ailments or diseases. Conscientious breeders do their bit to reduce the chances of hereditary conditions manifesting themselves in their pups by ensuring that breeding dogs are screened and that they match with well informed decisions.
There is, however, no dependable testing available on a large number of hereditary conditions and diet, exercise and environment, and other factors may affect whether or when a dog develops a problem. A responsible breeder will be in a position to avail you with copies of the sire and dam OFA certifications, CERF appraisals and an OFA autoimmune thyroiditis examination.
Another specialist conservator will also have the opportunity to talk about the kind of energy the Belgian Malinois has and assist you at deciding whether it is the right kind of puppy to fit into your lifestyle and circumstances. The breeder might pose questions about your credentials as an owner of Belgian Malinois; it is a significant aspect of identifying a good home to these special animals.
Get to know or see Puppies Parents?
And when you sit with the mother, have a look at her body language and the way she treats her puppies. A dog cowered and hunched down is most probably stressed and fearful which may result in temperament problems in her puppies. Full-fledged mother will go up running to meet you.
Similarly, it is significant to meet the father. Conscientious breeders are aware that sire plays a huge role in influencing the temper and working capacity of the pups and so; they ensure that their sire is in good health and behaves accordingly.
The breeder will also have other dogs with whom to socialise the puppies. Other adult dogs will also help in relieving the mother of the stresses she goes through in her pregnancy which adversely affects her puppies.
Not every breeder will be willing to have you go on their property or even see the mothers face to face (due to restrictions in travelling, health or security issues, or other personal reasons of either the breeder or yourself).
For this reason, RightPaw encourages all applicants to have a chat with the breeder over video calling and to ask lots of questions to learn more about the breeder and their philosophies and approach to puppy rearing.
Examines the experience of the Breeder with Belgian Malinois.
Belgian Malinois are very smart, willing to learn dogs. They require routine training and socialization on a daily basis to reduce behavioral problems and ensure that their minds are gearing. This should start as early as possible.
A conscientious breeder will know the special characteristics of this high-drive breed, and will be able to place you with the right puppy of your type of life. They will be in a position to talk about the challenges and advantages of having this breed, level of energy they have and the kind of environment they can do best.
The type of dogs are not universal; they require an active, self-confident family ready to invest their mental and physical well-being. They reproduce on training, running, hiking, tracking and herding. Other jobs they love are police work, bomb and drug detectives and rescue.
Inquire About Temperament and Working Lines.
The breeder must be well-informed of the amount of energy given by the Belgian Malinois and know how to place puppies in the right homes. They might question you about lifestyle and training requirements to ensure that you are able to offer the outlet to natural energy of the dog?
Even responsible breeders realize that the variation between working, show, and pet lines is critical to the temperament, looks and use of a puppy. Their inability to realize these differences may cause differences that can cause behavioral issues and missed expectations.
Working Line Shepherd is a utility breed, whose athletic body shape and high energy make them fit the objectives of police work, military service and so on. They are commonly sabled or in straight black, and are more rollers than their show brothers.
The Show Line Shepherds, on the other hand, are conformationally bred, being stockier in form and having a sloping backline as opposed to their working counterparts. They have softer personalities, and are friendlier to families, although they need to be trained and health tested every day to keep their good structure.
Inspect the Puppies? Living Conditions
Puppies are energetic, curious and must be adapted well to people, other pets and all the objects, noise, and smells of their new location. Taking an occasional nap is OK, but they shouldn’t be lethargic or visibly underweight or overly full of food. Pup puppy poop must be firm and normal and bloody or watery feces must be examined as it may be a sign of bacteria, viral illnesses, or inner parasites.
The breeder is also expected to have the health records of the pups and be in a position to respond to any inquiries that you may have regarding their vaccination, a history of veterinary examination and any other details that are vital. Trusted breeders focus on working with families and give you the opportunity to make a choice and have enough space.
Be aware of the sellers coercing you to make a purchase or selling the puppy in tight crates which are definite signs of puppy mills and bad breeders. Similarly, do not use pet stores, which do not offer vet records or vaccination records of the breeder they deal with. Such acts are unlawful and put you in danger.
Check Vaccination and Vet Records.
Good breeders have records of all litters vaccinated, which you ought to be allowed to look at. Provided you are unable to locate them, request the breeder to provide you with copies. Most vets have to maintain records over some duration of time and the clinic can tend to recreate the history of vaccines.
Assuming that your state retains the certificate of receipt of rabies in a different file along with other immunizations, it would also have this on file at county animal control or health departments. You can also call veterinary office where you took the shots of your dog and request the office to provide you with a certificate of the vaccination. They normally maintain them on file, or they can email you a copy.
A responsible breeder will not simply sell his puppies, he will be dedicated to put them into good homes. He will tell you so, in case he does not think you are suitable, or should be, to the breed. This will be more than you will discover later after you have invested so much money and love in your puppy. It is also more humane than the other that may be, a rehoming program or shelter of your dog.
Read through the Contract and Health Guarantee.
Belgian Malinois are dogs that are of high energy and require being trained by a professional trainer at an early age and regularly to ensure that their minds are active. They must also be on year-round prevention of heartworm, flea, and tick in order to minimize the risk of parasitic diseases.
A health guarantee is an assurance by the breeder that your puppy will be genetically healthy until a specific age or even certain circumstances. One should also carefully read through these documents and should not purchase a breeder who is aggressive enough to lure you to purchase him.
Puppy farmers usually sell puppies without any health guarantee, or other documentation, and it is hard to distinguish by the way the puppies are looking whether this environment within which they are kept is poor or healthy.
A good breeder will not be offended with your inquiries and will also advise you to take time and do some research on the breed before engaging yourself to purchase the breed. When a breeder does not respond to your inquiries, it is a red flag that they may not be a good breeder since you.