Malinois are also attentive when they are tasked with something to do or have a frisbee to retrieve, but are loving family dogs.
They have short and rough coats that are not affected by the weather and are exceptionally strong. They do have seasonal coat blowouts, but the management best approach is to have them brush instead of bathe.
Learning the Malinois Coat of the Belgians.
Malinois are dogs that are double coated, have a dense under coat and a close fitting outer coat. Their work-dog coats do not require a lot of maintenance needs as compared to other double-coated breeds, and weekly brushing as well as monthly bathing suffices in most Mals. But Mals do shedd in season twice a year, and you will have to be on the alert then, when they blow their coats.
The large kennel clubs have a consensus on the Belgian Malinois standards: the dogs must be sable with a black mask and little overlay, but the standard does permit a little bit of shading. Colours and designs which are the products of recessive genes are not as regular.
In a healthy dog, shaving is not necessary to curb shedding since the process interrupts the natural cycle of the coat growing and the skin is left bare as it continues to grow irregularly. Shaving can also lead to any skin itchiness and irritation as well as the short guard hairs may get into the fabric.
Rather, a routine grooming session using a medium-bristle dog brush or a rubber fabric one raises up loose hair and removes debris and oils on the skin and fur and rearranges the hair when the coat blows.
The Mals like water and can swim, but must be monitored near water bodies like swimming pools, lakes, or flowing water. Unless well-socialized, they can get quite excited or violent in the water, so it is well to instruct them in the rudiments of obedience and of herding before they are allowed in the pool or lake.
Brushing a Belgian Malinois as Often.
Belgian Malinois sheds all year, although the amount of shedding is more prolific during seasonal coat sheds. The bulk of this shedding is taken care of by a weekly brushing with a gentle, systematized routine.
It has shorter hair than a German shepherd, but it still gets on clothes, furnishings, floors and car seats. It may also be lodged in the ears or eyes of a dog, and therefore look frequently at his skin and eyes, when he is grooming himself.
Do not have a healthy double coat shaved off just to decrease shedding. Shaving interferes with the growth process making the skin vulnerable to damages. Some dogs may also have an allergic reaction to shaving. Rather, use a short guard hair picker made of rubber fabric to remove short guard hairs off upholstery and dry removable covers in a coat blow or prior to a dog redistributing the shedding hair.
The short dense, two coat, is simpler to keep than a longer, feathered dog. Nevertheless, no conscientious breeder can guarantee that a certain puppy will not shed at all because the speed of losing the coat depends on the health and the environment.
When a Belgian Malinois begins to shed profusely, determine whether the change is related to food, medication, environment or changes in grooming products. Next, an examination by a veterinarian to eliminate allergies or other health conditions can be considered.
Bathing a Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois is a high-drive working breed that has a functional coat that is designed to work with endurance and efficiency. They require grooming that promotes the health of the skin, controlles shedding and maintains their breed correct structure. Shaving interferes with the growth of coats, brings about odor and ruins the tight, tough coat.
This is a fearless breed, highly intelligent and very loyal to their people. They are also great herding dogs because of their instincts to herd, and they are also used in law enforcement, search and rescue as well as in the military. They require loads of activities, such as running or hiking every day to fulfill their instinct to herd and being very active.
Although a leash walk alone is not sufficient to ensure these pups are physically and mentally challenged, they would succeed in a scenario where their owners involve them in herding, agility, obedience, tracking and search and rescue.
They require a vigorous life full of outdoor adventure to be joyful and healthy and they require a robust with self-confidence owner who acknowledges their protective instincts. These pups are not very adaptable to families with young children as their size and protective instincts can cause them to become dangerous to small children.
They are most at home where the space outside is large and secure so that they can run and play. Professional grooming is required every 8-12 weeks, and should be more often in the spring and fall when shedding is most active.
Managing Seasonal Shedding
When it is late in August and you find out that you have a quantity of hair in the shower drain that is more than normal or that your dogs brush feels thinner than normal, then do not think that you are just imagining things.
The process of shedding in season is a reality and most of the people shed in autumn every year. It typically appears a few weeks prior to a major holiday or the weather getting colder and the period lasts approximately six to eight weeks at its height.
This is not something to worry about, but the heavy shedding should be taken care of weekly by brushing, monthly by bathing and seasonally by taking care of the coat when it blows. By maintaining these essentials, your dog should have a healthy and good-looking coat all year round.
The Belgian Malinois would be the breed of your choice should you seek a faithful, smart and capable companion that can balance a serious work ethic and still have fun on a daily basis enjoying outdoor activities and exercise.
These dogs are energetic and with their sense of duty, they are ready to do anything. These pups are good and faithful companions since they have an intrinsic need to please. They can also make great pets in the family with proper training. They will bring years of happiness and companionship with the appropriate care.
Trimming Nails and Paws.
The coat of Belgian Malinois is not long as compared to most dog breeds and because of this feature, the dogs are therefore not very demanding in regard to their grooming requirements. The majority of their grooming needs are usually taken care of by weekly brushing, monthly baths and seasonal care during coat blows.
Nail clipping constitutes one of the crucial aspects of grooming the dog. The nails grow at a very fast rate and in case they are not trimmed, they may lead to several health complications to your pet. The ingrowen nails, say, may cause irritation to the paw pads, and result in secondary conditions like arthritis. Frequent nail trimming will also enable your pet to walk easily by preventing paw pressure.
Although some owners may have difficulties with the paws and nails of their pup, most dog grooming agencies are good at it. When you have a routine of consulting a service, you will be able to show that it is natural to your pet to wear the nails in the way it does, and avoid overgrowth of the nails.
Although the fear of nail clipping may pose a difficulty in a pet, having pets experience nail clipping in small steps with patience and emotional support can usually enable pets to learn to endure and even enjoy such experiences. Should you see any cause of stress (drawing away during the process, drooling, snorting or panting) then halt and go back to the last steps until they are at ease with the process.
Ear Checks and Ear Cleaning.
Belgian Malinois are intelligent and brave dogs which have high work ethics. These pups have been used as herding dogs and have also been used in search and rescue, law enforcement and the military. Being pets, they are very faithful and are known to be attached to their families.
These active dogs will be able to live well in homes with ample outside area where they can play and run. They will have to engage in an intense exercise at least an hour a day to expend their excessive energy. Such dogs do not fit with children because their instinct of herding behavior can easily lead to aggressiveness when they are around young children that can fall over or topple.
Dental Care
The natural intelligence and work ethic of a Belgian Malinois makes them great police dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs or even herders. They are also caring and faithful friends, who like to spend time with their humans. They are however not the right fit in some households due to their high energy and herding instinct.
It is advisable to have early, frequent training by a professional to assist in reducing the behavioral problem and to get the mind of the herding-prone dog involved. These intelligent and energetic pups require large doses of both physical and mental activities to be satisfied.
As with all dogs, the Belgian Malinois are to be taken to the vet and be given an annual check against the fleas and ticks, be given heartworm pills and a routine clean to the dentist.
Maintain the health of the breed, by cleaning the ears on a regular basis using a product prescribed by the vet. Lastly, trim paw pads when necessary and remember to check the ears monthly to determine whether there is an infection.
Like any breed, Belgiumn Malinois are prone to eye diseases such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Early detection of these issues can be utilized with the help of a veterinary examination where your dog can be prescribed special medication.
In case your Belgian Malinois has experienced some seizures, make sure to follow-up with your veterinarian. A diagnostic workup will assist in finding out the cause of the problem, and lifelong treatment can be required.