They want nothing more than to be with their family, which makes them unsuitable as a kennel dog. The Belgian Malinois is a working breed with needs only an experienced owner can meet. After talking with Belgian Malinois owners there are a large number of them who are concerned about their dogs ears not standing up; however, in a lot of cases, the dogs were not purebred Belgian Malinois. A Belgian Malinois for sale should look muscular through her entire body without the bulk of a Bully breed. It needs lots of mental stimulation and physical activity every day. The temporalis muscle is directly involved in giving a Malinois that upright ears look. For more about this topic, visit Neuticles permastay (article link). Unless your Mal is genetically predisposed to have floppy ears or had some trauma in his early days, his ears should stand up at the age of 4-8 months. Bathing when dirty, brushing once or twice a week, and clipping the nails will keep your Malinois in great condition. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. The age of 8 months is crucial as after that you wont be able to do much for your Mals ears and their upright position. In general, they do well on any high-quality dog food with a veterinarians supervision. These medium-sized dogs were primarily bred to work on farms, herding sheep and cattle. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-large-leaderboard-1','ezslot_21',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-large-leaderboard-1-0');report this ad. A glucosamine supplement is also a good idea. Even if you dont have kids, its important to train your dog to be well-mannered around children, so youre always able to safely control situations. Belgian Malinois temperament. The coat should conform to the body without standing out or hanging down. TheBelgian Malinoisis a medium to large herding dog breed with a short coat and a square, well-balanced build that's native to Belgium. Belgian Malinois are incredibly smart dogs, which makes them eager (and fast!) When fully grown, male Belgian Malinois are typically 24-26 inches tall and 60-80 pounds, while females stand about 22-24 inches tall and weigh 40-60 pounds. By developing a consistent nutritional diet for your dog, changes in cartilage strength may become noticeable and the ear may begin to straighten. . He gives the impression of elegant robustness. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. A Belgian Malinois breeder I talked with says that it takes longer for the female puppys ears to pop up than the males. This animal's post-war popularity was low until the 1960s, when fans of the Belgian Malinois decided to bring the breed back into fashion. All Belgian Malinois puppies are born with irresistible floppy ears. It may be difficult to determine whether your dog has allergies, an ear infection, or mites. That way, chewing has a great influence on ears upright position. This is due to cases of malnutrition, illness, fungal infections, parasites, and many other causes. Some dogs can go longer between nail trims if they naturally wear down their nails through activity, such as walking on pavement. Learn more about Wren - Located in Florida today. You may notice your Mal licking their paws, rubbing their face, or developing ear infections more often. However, they can have a protective streak and are somewhat reserved around strangers. Scratching at the skin is oftentimes an issue because if your dog cuts the skin more infections can occur. This breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm, but not harsh, training. The Belgian Malinois is a very smart and obedient dog. 7 Reasons Why your Belgian Malinois Follows you Everywhere! 40-83 lb. As we have already mentioned, one of the reasons may be genetics. You need to clean the Pinna ( ear flap, part of the ear covered by skin) and then apply Breath Right Strip. When a Mal gets an ear infection oftentimes one or both ears become floppy; this is frequently accompanied by a bad odor, scratching, and redness. The Mali's feet are small and rounded, and they are similar to cats feet. To deny a Mal activity and the pleasure of your company is to deprive him of his very reasons for being. There are many ways that Belgian Malinois owners have tried to straighten their pups ears faster; however, talking with your vet is one of the best ways to find out what is right for your dog in particular. Good nutrition is essential for your dog to develop properly, including the ears. Belgian Malinois breed standards suggest that ears should be firm and erect in adult dogs. They were mostly used as guard dogs and herding dogs. Here are some things that you can do to set your puppy up for success. Remove all seeds, stems, and leaves. An untreated ear infection can lead to serious long-term complications or may result in your dog needing surgery. You canuse tape like this. Therefore, they need ample daily exercise daily; otherwise, they become mischievous or high-strung. An early period trauma can also be the cause. Its always important to reach out to your vet first. Cleaning your Mals ears is a crucial step in avoiding any potential issues that could arise. The alert, lively Belgian Malinois has been hard at work for centuries, originally as a sheepdog in Belgium and beginning in the 20th century, as a military and police dog. They're tallup to 2 feet at the shoulders!and always alert, with perked-up ears; kind, dark chocolate eyes; and a slightly bushy tail. And their grooming is fairly simple. For an otherwise healthy Belgian Malinois, clean their ears once a month with an ear cleaner or ear flush. They reach back as early as the 18th Century. Belgian Malinois dont have very specific dietary requirements. Belgian Malinois were first bred near the city of Malines in Belgium, where they got their name. Belgian Malinois are incredibly loyal dogs and tend to form an unbreakable bond with their human. One of the breed's trademarks is its high head carriage. The Belgian Malinois excels not only in herding, but also in protection and law enforcement; drug, bomb, and gas detection; search and rescue; tracking; obedience; sledding; agility; and therapy assistance to disabled, ill or elderly people. Another useful vitamin to make sure is included in your puppys diet is vitamin C. Vitamin C is a great source of antioxidants, but more importantly for your dogs ears, it helps to build cartilage. Unless you are specifically working in a protection sport, you do not need to give your Belgian any protection training, as it will come naturally to them. Are you able to invest in early, consistent training by a professional? Example of Malinois puppy with floppy ears. The Belgian Shepherd (also known as the Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, or the Chien de Berger Belge) is a breed of medium-sized herding dog from Belgium.While predominantly considered a single breed, it is bred in four distinct varieties based on coat type and colour; the long-haired black Groenendael, the rough-haired fawn Laekenois, the short-haired fawn Malinois, and the long-haired . Before bringing home a Belgian Malinois puppy, make sure your breeder had the pups parents tested for these conditions. This makes them great running, hiking, and biking companions. Just make sure your pet is on a diet that is appropriate for their agepuppy food should be given until your pet is at least 1 year old before switching to adult dog food. If your Malinois ears arent straightening as expected, there are a few things that you can do to help. However, if your dog is 8 months or older and only has one ear standing up, this may be a bit more permanent. These traits can make them phenomenal petsif theyre in the right household with an active, experienced pet parent. The Belgian Malinois ears should be checked monthly for signs of infection, such as excessive ear wax, redness, and inflammation. These dogs are generally very intelligent, loyal, and diligent. The smart, confident, and versatile Belgian Malinois is a world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his human partner. This dog is at their happiest when they have a task or something to focus on. If your Mal puppy has had erected ears at some point and then they both or only one ear has drooped, most probably the reason is the development of Frontalis and Temporalis muscles on top of its head. Moderately active indoors, he will do best with at least an average-sized yard. It is essential for a Belgian Malinois to receive vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation. If this does occur, surgery can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist to replace the lens. The breed was originally used as hunting and herding dogs, hence why their ears are an important feature. In general, this breed is highly trainable, intelligent, and eager to please. The Malinois first arrived in the United States in the early 1900s. Dont overdo with protein though as excess protein may lead to obesity. An independent, strong-willed dog, the Afghan can be downright standoffish, but also quiet and clownish when the mood strikes. His ears as well. The breed standard for the Belgian Malinois states that the ears should be stiff and erect. Females are 22 to 24 inches and weigh 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms). Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.com. They are ultra-thin, lightweight, made of surgical mesh, the material suitable for sensitive tissue of dogs ears. These dogs generally arent well-suited to living in an apartment, as they need lots of space to run and play. The size should be proportional to the dog's head. There is a video on Youtube that explains how to use those strips. Some common communication signals that Belgian Malinois may use are: Your Belgian Malinois may indicate their emotions and feelings by placing their ears in multiple positions to show what they are feeling. Walks are simply not enough for this breed. A Belgian Malinois will constantly be trying to keep the toddler in one spot! Talk to your veterinarian to determine the right amount of food for your pet. Belgian Malinois are incredibly loyal and smart, but theyre also high-energy dogs that need a lot of exercise and stimulation. If your dog has an infection only in one ear, be careful to avoid spreading the infection to the other ear while using certain cleaning methods. Weight. The Belgian Malinois is a double-coated breed and will generally shed twice a year. All rights reserved. Miniature Schnauzers are square-bodied dogs with wiry coats. Many owners dont think about chew toys as related to the ears, but in fact, having good chew toys will exercise your puppys jaw, neck, and head. Belgian Malinois require an extensive amount of training to help minimize any behavioral issues and keep their mind engaged. It is a good idea to ask your vet how often you should be cleaning your Mals ears because each dog differs. Chewing helps your Mals to relieve the pain that comes from teething. In the case of genetics, you cannot do much. All the better to hear you with! learners. Two main ways to maintain your Belgian Malinoiss ear health are cleaning the ear gently with a mild solution (canine ear cleaning solution) and cotton balls as well as trimming your Mals ear hair. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-114{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Or check out this popular hack from a dog trainer YouTuber. It is also helpful to squeeze veterinary-approved ear cleaner into your dogs ears and massage the ear gently for 30 seconds to dislodge any buildup from the ear canal; however, do not let anything but the cleaning solution touch the dogs ear to avoid causing more bacteria. It was specifically recommended to add glucosamine, a natural cartilage-building amino sugar to a Belgian Malinoiss diet to build the cartilage strong enough to hold the ears straight. Its important to assess the following to determine whether this breed is right for you: Are you able to provide this high-energy breed with the physical and mental outlets they need? The coat should be comparatively short and straight, hard enough to be weather resistant, with a dense undercoat. Its high herding instinct can cause it to try to nip at kids heels. So it must be kept on leash or in a secure fenced area. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pawsandlearn_com-netboard-1','ezslot_22',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pawsandlearn_com-netboard-1-0');You may be able to tell when your Belgian Malinois needs its ears cleaned. Belgian Malinois will have drooping ears only if something is wrong with breeding/genetics, health. We also participate in other affiliate programs and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (at no cost to you). However, when Belgian Malinois dont get enough exercise or mental stimulation, they often start to exhibit destructive behaviors to keep themselves entertained. A Belgian Malinois that has been fully trained for protection can cost as much as $45,000-$65,000. This method was described by Susan Barwig in the German Shepherd Book. Size variations are extensive, with dogs ranging from 40 to 80 pounds. 5 Belgian Malinois for sale. The mouth is well split, which means that when the mouth is open the commissures of the lips are pulled right back, the jaws being well apart. It is typically safe for dogs to consume yogurt and cottage cheese; however, this does not mean that your dog will not have trouble digesting lactose. Belgian Malinois. Dam (Mom) Belgian Malinois. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pawsandlearn_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',152,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pawsandlearn_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Pro Tip:Check out ourBelgian Malinois Shedding Complete Guide (Tips and Tricks From Owners). Thus, it often doesn't do well around rambunctious children and might become nippy. The Belgian Malinois is a native of Belgium and one of the four related varieties of Belgian shepherd dogs. Their ears are much more triangular in shape than the German Shepherd and their body shape is square as opposed to curved. It is important that taping be done properly since improper taping can cause injury to your dog or result in ears that do not stand the way you want them to. You may notice your Belgian Malinois is beginning to act strange, this could be due to an outer ear infection caused by the many issues listed previously; or an inner ear infection that occurs when the outer ear infection is left untreated. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site.