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The Belgian Malinois is a formidable dog breed that does well in active homes and requires an experienced hand. These dogs can be tricky to work with due to their need to work and receive large amounts of both mental and physical stimulation.
In general, your Belgian Malinois will get along in your New York home as long as you have plenty of space for them – this is not a breed that fits in a small apartment or very urban area with little access to space and the outdoors.
Adopting a Belgian Malinois can be a rewarding process, and you may be able to find this breed at shelters or through a breed-specific rescue in New York.
It’s important to note that it might be somewhat difficult to adopt this breed, as Belgian Malinois are purebred dogs typically purchased through a breeder; Belgian Malinois dogs that have landed in an animal shelter may be challenging to work with in some instances.
Our article gives you an overview of how to adopt a Belgian Malinois in New York, in addition to some essential information to know about this loyal, intelligent, and active breed.
What Are Belgian Malinois Like?
The Belgian Malinois is a dog that is most well-known for its work with the military and law enforcement. These dogs are highly intelligent, and they require a fair amount of exercise and training to stay happy.
Your Belgian Malinois may be trained with advanced skills such as agility, service dog training, and protection dog training, and this breed is very loyal to their families.
In general, your Belgian Malinois will be protective over their loved ones and somewhat wary of strangers. They love to go on adventures, especially lengthy outdoor adventures, and these dogs enjoy spending time with their owners.
Your Belgian Malinois is not to be underestimated, and these dogs take a lot of work to care for, train, and exercise. You shouldn’t leave your dog alone for more than six to eight hours at a time, and you will need to commit yourself to spending lots of time caring for your dog to ensure they thrive.
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What Is a Belgian Malinois’s Temperament?Your Belgian Malinois will typically be confident, highly driven, and energetic. These dogs are alert and intelligent, and they pick up on patterns very easily. Your Belgian Malinois will need significant training to stay happy and engaged, as these dogs can become destructive or out of control if they do not have the proper socialization, training, and enrichment in their environment. Belgian Malinois bond strongly with their owners, and they will be protective of their families. This can result in wariness around strangers or newcomers to their homes. Your Belgian Malinois will be brave, and these dogs will fearlessly tackle any challenge they encounter with unique intelligence and passion. |
How Active Are Belgian Malinois?The Belgian Malinois is a very active breed, and, as a large dog, this means that they will need a good amount of exercise to stay happy. You can expect to take your Belgian Malinois on three long walks each day in addition to dedicating an hour of playtime to them. You will also need to incorporate training in your daily routine, as this is a breed that thrives when they have tasks to complete and a job to do at your side. The Belgian Malinois will thrive in a place where they have lots of space to roam, so it’s important that you are not in a very small New York City apartment when adopting this dog. Larger homes and spaces in New York state that have a fenced-in yard are the best choices for this dog. |
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What Size Are Belgian Malinois?
The Belgian Malinois is considered a large dog. These pups will stand between 18 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Male Belgian Malinois are quite a bit larger than females, and you can expect males to be closer to the 60 to 80-pound range when fully grown.
What Are a Belgian Malinois’s Grooming Needs?
Belgian Malinois are moderate shedders, and this breed will have a heavy shedding season twice a year. You should brush your dog a few times a week to remove any loose fur and curb shedding, and you may want to get your Belgian Malinois professionally groomed every eight to twelve weeks.
Start the process of getting your Belgian Malinois used to grooming as soon as possible, as this makes baths, nail trims, and other grooming necessities much easier in the future.
What Are Common Belgian Malinois Health Issues?
Belgian Malinois are an overall healthy breed, but these dogs are prone to certain health issues due to genetics. Hip dysplasia, eye problems, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy are among the most common health problems for this breed to develop.
Keeping an eye on your dog’s behavior and ensuring that you take them to a vet regularly can help you catch serious health issues before they become a bigger problem.
What Is a Belgian Malinois’s Lifespan?
The Belgian Malinois has an average lifespan of between 13 and 16 years. You can support your dog with proper care, exercise, and routine vet visits to ensure they are as healthy as possible, encouraging a long life.
Are Belgian Malinois Good With Other Animals or Kids?
The Belgian Malinois can sometimes be good with other animals and children, though this heavily depends on a few different factors and your dog’s specific personality.
In general, small animals, cats, and smaller dogs might not be the best choice of companions for this breed, as the Belgian Malinois has a high prey drive that might result in issues and a drive to chase smaller animals. Larger dogs, especially dogs raised alongside or properly introduced to your Belgian Malinois might be acceptable companions.
Your Belgian Malinois will do better with older children or teens in your home. It’s important that your children know how to properly interact with this dog. Very young children who are too rambunctious or do not know how to read a dog’s body language and respect their boundaries are not a good choice for this breed.
Are Belgian Malinois Good for First-Time Dog Parents?
The Belgian Malinois is not a breed that is generally recommended for first-time dog parents. These pups can be hard to handle without training experience, and you must have good control over your Belgian Malinois to ensure their behavior does not turn destructive out of boredom or mischievousness.
For first-time dog parents, handling a Belgian Malinois and keeping up with their extensive exercise requirements can often be overwhelming.
That being said, if you know exactly what this breed needs to thrive, you have plenty of space in your New York home, and you are aware of both the pros and cons of owning a Belgian Malinois, you might be able to adopt one as a first-time dog parent.
How Do You Adopt a Belgian Malinois in New York?
The adoption process for a Belgian Malinois in New York is, fortunately, fairly straightforward. Your first step is to find a rescue organization or Belgian Malinois rescue in your area; these rescue organizations aim to place Belgian Malinois in homes that can properly provide for their needs and will give the dogs a forever home.
Because the Belgian Malinois breed can be a little hard to handle, there may be more checks required after you find an adoption agency and submit your adoption application for a Belgian Malinois. You might need to verify the other animals you have in your home, ensure your home has enough space to support your Belgian Malinois, and verify your identity.
Once you are approved for adoption of your chosen Belgian Malinois, you can pick them up from your rescue organization and pay your adoption fee. Sometimes, you may be required to do a meet and greet with your dog before pickup and official adoption approval.
Speak to staff at the rescue organization or shelter to learn about specific adoption policies you may need to follow.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Belgian Malinois in New York?
Typically, it is much cheaper to adopt a Belgian Malinois in New York than it is to purchase this breed from a breeder. You can expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $500 to adopt your Belgian Malinois. The final cost depends on your exact location in New York, the rescue organization, and any special factors about your Belgian Malinois, such as coat color or lineage.
How Should I Train a Belgian Malinois?
Belgian Malinois require significant training to stay mentally stimulated and to ensure their behavior always stays under control. You will need to use positive, rewards-based training with your dog, as this creates the strongest bond between dog and owner.
Additionally, positive training is more likely to help your dog enjoy the training process, especially when compared to things like negative aversion training, which can create significant behavioral issues in some dogs.
Start your training with our online dog training courses and consult a professional dog trainer online or in your area if you need additional help. The sooner you start training and socialization with your Belgian Malinois, the happier both of you will be.
Find the Right Belgian Malinois in New York for You
Finding the right Belgian Malinois in New York for you can seem overwhelming at first, especially if you aren’t sure where to start looking for adoptable dogs. Once you understand all this breed needs to thrive in your New York home, you can look for nearby rescues and shelters to find an adoptable dog.
Make sure that you provide your Belgian Malinois with the training and exercise they need to be happy, and you will be sure to have a loyal companion for life.
