Hi everyone, I'm stuck between getting a Belgian Malinois and a Rottweiler. Could you help me choose, please, based on your own experiences? I’m quite an active person and I’d love to have a dog that's highly trained – top-tier stuff like protection work, agility, obedience, and so on. Just to be clear, I’ve got no intention of causing anyone any harm; I just prefer powerful dogs over small breeds. I like dogs that enjoy working and don't just spend all day napping. I used to walk a friend's Malinois when I was younger, and I must admit I was absolutely fascinated by her beauty and her imposing presence, though she wasn't the best with obedience. However, I’ve noticed a Rottweiler owner in my neighbourhood who has an incredibly strong, obedient dog with quite an intimidating look. So, I’m really torn between the two. I’m not looking for a dog just for guarding; I want a companion. I know there are plenty of other breeds out there, but I really want to start with one of these two. < /p>
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I’d strongly advise against getting a Malinois. I was also torn between the two and went for a Rottie in the end. I’ve got a female, and today a male Malinois attacked her muzzle quite badly, and she’s only 3 months old! This is despite her having played with Rottweilers twice her size that she didn’t even know. Honestly, Rotties are 1000x better.
I’d strongly advise against getting a Malinois. I was also torn between the two and went for a Rottie in the end. I’ve got a female, and today a male Malinois attacked her muzzle quite badly, and she’s only 3 months old! This is despite her having played with Rottweilers twice her size that she didn’t even know. Honestly, Rotties are 1000x better.
So, I’ve never actually read any books about dogs 😂 even though I love reading! It’s a bit weird now I think about it! Like you, I’ve spent a few years watching videos and reading bits and pieces here and there (just not books)...
But it’s true that you only really realise what it’s like once the puppy arrives, and even more so as they grow up. Here are some examples of things we or other owners often come across (just for a laugh! I love this stuff): He pulls on the lead, I try the tutorial method, the trainer’s method etc... and he’s still pulling! "Oh, he’s stopped pulling now..." A month later... he’s pulling like a steam train again 😂 Same thing with being house-trained... 2 months later, oh, turns out he’s not really... "He’s doing this, so maybe it means that..." He’s poorly... an all-nighter for the owner, it happens! ^^ He gets the zoomies around the house, a total nutcase! "Err, darling, didn't you take him out?" "Err, yeah, we just got back from an hour and a half walk" 😅 He’s barking on and on—he’s being a guard dog, but still! Lol, anyway, just some examples for a laugh because there are worse things out there, and also things that make you want to pull your hair out or leave you with a lot of questions...
I think the important thing, besides the research and methods, is our ability to tell ourselves that we’ll adapt to the living being that is the dog; that we’ll train them without being heavy-handed, tell them off without going overboard, and guide them so they trust us (even if I haven't a clue what the dog in front of me wants, haha, but we’re getting there, come on!) 😂 ...To keep questioning ourselves, our methods, our goals, the trainer, the vet...
Do get more information from breeders of these two breeds, other owners, and trainers too...
@Paulrappeur, training other people's dogs is one thing; reading about it is another (my personal library? I’ve got over 400 books on dogs!). That said, don’t think for a second that you’ll automatically have a handle on every single dog you come across, whether it’s a neighbour's pet or your own.
Honestly, it’s a bit presumptuous to think you can train just any dog. No two dogs are the same, and (I’m not talking about you here, mind!!!) I’ve come across plenty of "experts" who thought they could train or break in any dog going. It’s always "I this" and "I that"—"I can make your dog do whatever I want", or "my dog does this because I’m the boss", or "I’ve got years of experience with dozens of dogs", and so on. In the end, some were knocked down a peg or two, while others are still living in a dream world...
On this forum, there are people who’ve had dogs all their lives, many different breeds, and they don’t just share training tips—they share what it’s like living with them and really understanding those breeds. These people (they’ll know who they are) chose to get to know their dog and its quirks before they even started training. You can learn the basics from books, but living day-to-day with certain breeds gives you a solid foundation of understanding. Even then, they’re still happy to question their own theories or what they think they know.
I can tell you’re motivated... but you’re still a novice. A dog isn't a textbook or a set concept. There are so many variables, and every single dog is different. Don't expect a book or a video to be a complete "how-to" guide for living with or training a dog day-to-day. Whether you go for a Malinois or a Rottweiler is up to you, but try to set aside what you think you’ve "mastered" through books and videos (they can be useful, but it’s rarely an exact science!).
With a dog, you learn something new every day. Often, you imagine a nice, clear path ahead for the two of you, only to realise you’re frequently trudging through the mud instead. As for me... I’m STILL learning. For a long time, I thought my library gave me all the answers. But no, I’m just as much of a novice as you are.
Thank you, I appreciate your humility.
@Paulrappeur, training other people's dogs is one thing, but owning books is quite another (my own library? I’ve got over 400 books on dogs). Even so, you shouldn't imagine that you’ll automatically have total mastery over every dog that comes your way, whether it's a neighbour's dog or your own pet at home.
In reality, it’s pretty presumptuous to think you can train just any dog. No two dogs are the same, and (mind you, I’m not talking about you!!!) I’ve come across plenty of jokers who thought they could train or break in any dog going ("I’m the expert, I can do what I want with your dog / my dog can do this because I’ve got the skills / I’m experienced, I’ve had X number of dogs," etc.). In the end, some were brought back down to earth, while others still believe their own hype...
On this forum, there are people who’ve had dogs their whole lives, across various breeds, and they don’t just share training tips... they share their day-to-day lives and their understanding of these breeds. These people (they know who they are) chose to really get to know their dog and understand its specific traits before trying to train it. You can learn the basics from books, but living day-to-day with certain breeds has given them a solid foundation of understanding—without that stopping them from questioning their own theories or what they thought they knew.
You’re clearly keen, you can tell from your posts... But even so, you’re still a beginner. A dog isn’t a book or a fixed concept. There are so many variables, and since every individual is different, don’t expect a book or a video to be a complete "how-to" manual for living with or training a dog every day.
Whether it’s a Malinois or a Rottie, it’s up to you, but set aside the knowledge you think you’ve mastered through books and videos (they can be useful, but... it’s rarely an exact science!). With a dog, you gain experience every single day. We often imagine a nice, clear path for the two of us, only to realise we’re actually trudging through the mud most of the time.
As for me... I’m STILL learning. For a long time, I thought my library gave me the font of all knowledge. Turns out, I’m just as much of a novice as you are.
Thanks for the helpful replies. I live with my mum who had a German Shepherd that passed away back in 2017. I trained him myself because my mum didn't really know that dogs could be properly trained. I found it quite easy because I'm a real dog lover and I spend all my time reading up on them. I ordered some training books from Amazon, got some gear, and watched a lot of YouTube videos too. It worked so well that people in my neighbourhood even asked if I could train their dogs (but I didn't have the time). My mum's GSD could do everything a dog is capable of doing; I think it’s smarter to teach your dog everything rather than just standing there like a wimp if you ever get jumped. I was asking for your advice based on your experience because certain breeds have qualities that others don’t, and I want to get a dog of my own as I’m moving into my own house soon. Money isn't an issue; I just don’t want to regret getting a breed whose needs I can't meet (exercise, etc.). I never said I wanted a scary-looking dog, I just mentioned what I’d noticed about that dog, that’s all. I thought it was cool because I’ve got a strong personality myself. I don't need a dog to protect me, it’s just that a dog often reflects their owner's true nature, that’s all.
The Malinois and the Rottweiler might seem to have similar capabilities, but they are poles apart when it comes to temperament.
The Malinois is "hyper" active, "hyper" protective, and "hyper-vigilant"... in short, they are a massive bundle of energy that finds it hard to switch off or channel their focus. They demand constant action and an owner who is very disciplined in that regard. Don't even think about going a day without a walk or some form of both physical and mental stimulation.
They are incredibly intelligent dogs; there's no real challenge in teaching them basic commands. Where a Malinois owner really earns their stripes is in managing the dog’s intensity, particularly around strangers, as their protective instinct can sometimes make them quite reactive towards people.
My own girl is far from perfect; it's a breed with a very complex psychology that isn't for everyone—and clearly not for me, that's for sure!
A Rottie is more laid back; they are very aware of their own strength. They're more stubborn than a Malinois, a bit more of a "rough diamond" too, and their training requires a different kind of nuance than a Belgian Malinois.
In terms of activity, they obviously need their exercise, but they are much better at settling than a Malinois. The biggest drawback, however, is the legal side of things and breed-specific regulations.
Finally, your arguments are quite surprising; you can't base your choice or your view of a breed on just one individual. There are always exceptions: couch-potato Malinois and Rotties that are as easy to train as putty. It’s rare, of course... but these are still two breeds that require a level of personal commitment and self-discipline that you might not expect.
I think the poster is idealising their future dog, as many people tend to do...
"I’ll do agility, bite work, he’ll be perfectly trained etc..."
Between the dreams and the reality, it can be a rude awakening...
For a start, every puppy has a different personality; it’s possible they won’t like agility, or they might be naturally timid and won't enjoy bite work...
As for training your future dog, sorry, but it’s clear you don't really know what you're doing yet, and you’re dreaming of a "perfect" dog.
The thing is, things rarely go exactly as planned; it’s more complex than that, otherwise we’d all have dogs that walk perfectly to heel and obey our every whim...
You have to work with the dog you’ve got, and they're rarely how you imagined they’d be...
I really think you’re completely idealising your future dog and that, so far, you haven't asked yourself the right questions...
How many hours a day will you be out? Do you have your own place?
I’m not sure you quite understood what I meant, @Patou88. I was saying that if I were to choose a dog based ONLY on looks, I’d go for an American Akita or a Malamute—which is something I’d never actually do (at least not with the Malamute) because even though I love how they look, I don't think I could handle a breed like that. (Besides, I’m not into blue eyes at all and I don’t see what that has to do with anything). My Swedish Vallhund isn’t my "physical ideal"—I love his little face but he’s got a bit of a weird body—but he suits me perfectly in terms of temperament and lifestyle. Temperament is much more important than looks.
That’s why I think picking a Rottie just because they look "tough" or a Malinois because they’re supposedly "easy to train" is a massive mistake. A Rottie isn’t necessarily the best guard dog in the world; my godmother’s house was broken into while her Rottie was there. The burglars probably knew she was a total softie, and then she had loads of hassle because they’d put the dog outside without a muzzle. Owning a Rottie comes with some very specific responsibilities.
And if "easy to train" is supposed to mean "easy to live with," that definitely doesn't always apply to Malinois—it’s a completely different ball game. You only have to look at the number of Malis in rescue centres. People confuse a Malinois’ vital need to work with being easy to train, and it’s the same with Borders, which just isn’t the case.
You can have "difficult" dogs as your first dog, but you’ve got to stick at it. I started with a primitive breed and struggled a bit until he was about 3 (though it’s all relative, everyone has their limits). My mum got a Malinois cross working GSD thinking it would be just like the family GSD she had as a kid; it’s a lovely dog now, but there were some very difficult times. She even trusted a police dog trainer who couldn't get the dog to do what he wanted and ended up just breaking the dog’s trust in her. He’s improved a bit more every year, but he still has really severe separation anxiety.
First of all, dogs need training; I’ve known Huskies who were more obedient than poorly trained Malinois.
Then, regarding the "intimidating" factor, it really bothers me, especially with Rotties. It’s because so many people cross the street when they see one coming, and the problem is that it doesn't help with the dog's socialisation at all. I’m seeing more and more people putting a pale blue muzzle and a pink collar on their dogs, whether male or female, specifically to break that image and make people feel less afraid. Strangely enough, it works much better than when they used prong collars or choke chains, which just give people the impression you’ve got the dog to "look hard". The whole point is to break that stereotype in the hope that one day they won’t be labelled like that anymore. I feel like a lot of effort is being made nowadays, but personally, I notice it more with Staffy owners than with Rottie owners.
It also depends on what you mean by intimidating; some people find my 26 lb dog intimidating because he’s stocky and has big teeth, much more so than my female who is tall and thin. So, there you go.
I think temperament is more important than looks, otherwise I’d have wanted an American Akita or a Malamute a long time ago. If you’re looking for an active dog that’s easy to train, I’d look into a German Shepherd rather than a Malinois, as those first few years can be quite a handful. You really need to know what you’re signing up for.
