Are Belgian Malinois Aggressive?

Between the beautiful coloration, incredible intelligence, and overwhelming need to please people, there is not much to dislike about the Belgian Malinois.

This dog breed is frequently used by police and security forces worldwide because it is straightforward to train and responds well to human authority. Many people incorrectly believe that the Belgian Malinois is aggressive by nature.

The Belgian Malinois is a high-energy, extremely intelligent, and easy-to-train dog. People frequently confuse the Malinois’ high energy with aggressiveness.

This dog’s temperament is developed to please and obey people and to protect its family at all costs. Belgian Malinois can be trained to attack but ultimately are affectionate and loyal dogs.

Aggressiveness is a learned behavior, and many inept owners will train their Belgian Malinois to become aggressive toward people or other animals.

Because of this dog’s incredible intelligence, it is not a good dog for a first-time dog owner.

The Malinois has plenty of energy and must be physically and mentally exercised daily to avoid developing nuisance behaviors like chewing, barking, and biting.

If trained correctly, this dog breed can happily live with other animals, including cats, if given the right training and socialization.

How Can I Ensure My Belgian Malinois Remains Friendly?

While the Malinois can be a friendly and outgoing dog, it is important to harbor these desirable behavior characteristics and temperament early on.

Keeping your dog friendly is a great way to ensure it remains non-aggressive and gets along well with other animals. To ensure your Belgian Malinois remains friendly, you should:

Train – Enforcing good habits through training will be essential for keeping your Malinois friendly and social.
Regularly practice your training and commands with your Malinois to reinforce good behavior. If your dog listens to you in any situation, you’ll be able to maintain a peaceful encounter with another dog.
Socialize – From an early age; you must socialize your Malinois. This dog breed is exceptionally high-energy yet intelligent and wants to please its owner.
Socialize your dog from the day you become an owner. Regularly visit off-leash dog parks, daycares, and training to get your dog into as many different situations as possible.
Praise – Remember to praise your dog for good interactions routinely. You want to use positive reinforcement, praise, and plenty of treats when your Malinois behaves well with other dogs.
Keeping engagements positive is a great way to encourage positive interactions later.

Can a Malinois Live with a Cat?

Pairing any animals together in a house is a delicate balance that requires plenty of training and positive reinforcement. Although the Malinois has a strong prey drive, this dog breed can live peacefully with cats.

When it comes to housing a Malinois with a cat, it is key to have proper socialization and introduction practices. The Malinois tends to be aggressive toward other animals it does not know or perceive as a threat.

If you plan on housing a Malinois with a cat, you may have more luck raising the two animals together. Pair a puppy with a kitten to have the most chances of success.

Of course, every cat and dog is an individual with an individual personality. It is impossible to determine if every Malinois can learn to tolerate every cat. If a cat and dog do not get along, never force the issue.

Can a Malinois Live with Other Dogs?

The Malinois is an extremely trainable dog but certainly high-intensity and robust.

It is possible to house a Belgian Malinois with another dog, provided both are raised together or adequately introduced and socialized with one another.

Understand, too, that not every Malinois will like other dogs, and it depends on your individual dog’s personality. Because the Malinois is high-energy, other dogs, particularly older dogs, may not tolerate its antics.

Always supervise the Malinois with other dogs, even if just in an open, off-leash dog park. The high-intensity Malinois can often be too much for other dogs, prompting snarls and disagreements.

Because the Malinois is very athletic and intense, fights between other dogs can quickly escalate if left to persist.

Is a Malinois a Good Dog for a First-time Dog Owner?

The Belgian Malinois is an extraordinarily assertive and dominant dog that requires a kind yet strong owner.

Training and commands must be stern and consistent yet positive and never forceful. Because of this dog’s extreme intelligence and high energy drive, they are not recommended for first-time dog owners.

Even owners who have had prior experience working with dogs should be prepared when they adopt a Belgian Malinois. This dog is extremely intelligent and requires constant attention and training.

Because the dog can become powerful and aggressive with wrong handling, it is vitally important that a Malinois owner is prepared to administer the proper care and training to make a great canine citizen that gets along well with other animals and people.

What Makes a Dog Aggressive?

Dog breeds, by nature, will not be aggressive; however, certain dog breeds may possess a high prey drive.

Dogs like terriers and hounds have been bred over centuries to hunt small animals, making them appear aggressive.

These dogs have instinctive breeding to chase and pursue small animals but are generally not aggressive toward people.

Other dogs, like the Belgian Malinois, are extremely intelligent and bred to obey people. Certain owners who want an aggressive dog may train their dogs to attack other animals or people.

Aggressiveness, in this sense, is a learned behavior and not something a dog is innately born with.

Undesirable aggressiveness is learned and cannot be a temperament assigned to a particular breed.

Strong-willed and intelligent dogs, like the Belgian Malinois, occasionally have a bad reputation for being aggressive because of poorly prepared or incapable owners.

What Dogs Are Usually Friendly?

A Belgian Malinois is an intense dog only recommended for experienced dog owners.

If you are searching for an easy-to-train dog with a wonderful and friendly personality, you may consider a more social dog breed.

Some great options for a dog that gets along with other dogs and people include:

Corgi – The Corgi is a wonderfully social dog that not only enjoys spending time with its family but also with other animals. Bred as a herding dog, this diminutive dog is likely to herd family members into the same room so it can rest peacefully, knowing its family is together in a single place.
Labrador Retriever – Bred to be the companions of fishermen, the Labrador Retriever is an amiable and outgoing dog. This dog breed enjoys the company of its human family, as well as fellow canines. The Labrador Retriever is also easy to train and, at its heart, wants to please its owners.
Boxer – This large to medium-sized dog loves attention. The Boxer is just as happy to play a fetch game as it joins its owner on the couch for a nap. The Boxer usually gets along well with other animals and is a tremendous social dog.
Beagle – Slightly smaller in size, the Beagle is a loving dog with a big personality. This dog enjoys playing with its people, taking a long walk, or simply snuggling on the couch. The Beagle is an active but friendly dog breed.
Golden Retriever – The ultimate friendly dog, the Golden Retriever loves to spend time with people and other animals. These dogs tend to have a “happy-go-lucky” personality and are eager to play and interact with friends.
Irish Setter – Although not a common breed in the United States, the Irish Setter is incredibly friendly and loving. This dog is active and needs plenty of exercises daily but enjoys time spent with family members.
Border Collie <span class=”s1″>– The Border Collie simply wants to please its owners. Whether that’s performing a trick or spending time together with family, the Border Collie is a game for social interaction. This highly intelligent dog is great with other animals, cats included.