It is even very common for a puppys ears to perk up but then drop back down again before finally coming to their final height. Each time a Mals ears tilt a certain direction, they are expressing themselves and their emotions, concerns, etc. The chewing action helps strengthen the muscles needed for their ears to stay up. Both should be finished at the same time. - Pure Belgian Malinois When Malinois are young, ears that are not fully erect is not uncommon. Size variations are extensive, with dogs ranging from 40 to 80 pounds. Exercise Requirements: >40 minutes/day Energy Level: Very energetic Longevity Range: 10-12 yrs. 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. Belgian Malinois. They are made of special foam. You want your Belgian Malinois puppy to have the best possible start to life, and that includes growing strong, noble, erect ears. Founded in 1884, the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs. History of the Belgian Malinois The roots of this breed lie in the "Noord-Brabant" region in Belgium. Size. These dogs can be the wrong choice for the average household because of their greater-than-average need for mental and physical exercise. . It is important to get your dog checked by a veterinarian immediately if you notice an ear infection has gone on too long. Trauma that your puppy had at his early age or even a minor injury of the ears may cause dropping ears in the adult period. You may notice your Mal licking their paws, rubbing their face, or developing ear infections more often. Belgian Malinois typically weigh 40-80 pounds, while German Shepherds can weigh 50-90 pounds. Its recommended that Belgian Malinois puppies are trained by a professional who specializes in the breed. You can find this supplement in liquid form ( Terra Max Pros for Dogs) which is the most suitable form as it is to ingest. Floppy ears in Belgian Malinois dogs are usually a question of genetics or poor diet. They found that their Belgian Malinoiss ears stood up very fast after weeks on this specific diet. The Belgian Malinois has been one of the most widely used working dogs for hundreds of years, but it recently came to spotlight when Seal Team Six used a Malinois to hunt and capture Osama Bin Laden. It needs lots of mental stimulation and physical activity every day. Oftentimes Mals who do not receive the care they need have ears that may never lift. If your dog insists on messing with it, you may need to use a protective cone to keep your dog from scratching it and knocking the form off. Check whether your dog needs a nail trim roughly once a month. Fortunately, this disease is not painful, so the primary signs are what you may expect in an animal going blind: bumping into things, difficulty catching treats or finding food scraps on the floor, tripping over curbs or stairs, etc. Theyre fast and engaged learners, making training not only fun, but critical for their mental well-being. Lifespan. The general appearance of Mals ears includes a distinct triangle shape. His elegance and expression denote great strength of character, making him a proud representative of the herding breeds. Since Belgian Malinoisin particular are very prone to normal allergies, it is sometimes difficult to determine why they are scratching. If you're looking for a breeder puppy, expect to pay around $2,000, though this can vary widely depending on bloodline and other factors. Belgian Malinois, breed of herding and working dog developed in the Malines area of Belgium in the 1800s. The moment they start to get their adult teeth their ears start to go all over the place. The ears are stiff and erect, proportionate to the head in size. The Malinois was one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog in use in the late 1800s. Add some food to your Mals diet that increases the amount of calcium it gets such as a tablespoon of plain yogurt or no-fat cottage cheese. The Belgian Sheepdog Club of America (the Malinois, Groenendael, and Tervuren were all the same breed at that time) was formed and the breed began to show in the American Kennel Club in the early 1950s. If they are not, they need a little help from your side. However, German Malinois tend to take after the Belgian Malinois in terms of personality, though . Some dogs are bred to have larger ears, which can result in ears that are too big for the muscles to hold upright. This breed is not suitable for households with small, erratic children. Sire is CKC registered, and Dam is registered. Males are 24 to 26 inches tall and weigh 55 to 75 pounds (25 to 34 kilograms). And what to do if your Mals ears dont erect as they should? Cleaning the ear from the glue its not recommended because it will grow out anyway but if you try to clean it, that may cause the ear to go down. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-leader-4-0');Many Mal owners use Breath Right Strips. The coat should conform to the body without standing out or hanging down. This breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm, but not harsh, training. Both breeds are high energy and need a job to do to help stimulate their mind and keep them happy. All rights reserved. Dont panic if your Malinois still has drooping ears at the age of 5 months. If you have Belgian Malinois, I am sure a food choice is an important issue. 7 Reasons Why your Belgian Malinois Follows you Everywhere! Plus, Belgian Malinois are part of Navy SEAL teams and have been used in operations, including that which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. Why Is My Belgian Malinois Panting So Much? These strips are really light in weight, a great thing that can secure your Mals ear in place without weighing them down. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.com. And their grooming is fairly simple. Common ear positions and the emotions related to them: Belgian Malinoises are less likely than other breeds to obtain ear infections due to their perky ears that promote good airflow throughout the ear canal; however, there are still opportunities for issues such as ear mites and inflammatory problems. It is not recommended to use peroxide or cotton swabs in your dogs ears. Belgian Malinois eyes are either brown or dark brown in color, medium in size and slightly oval in shape. They thrive when they have a job and are extremely well-suited to becoming a working dog, such as in police and military operations. What Can I Do To Stimulate My Malinois Dog Ears To Stand Up? An untreated ear infection can lead to serious long-term complications or may result in your dog needing surgery. It is a good idea to ask your vet how often you should be cleaning your Mals ears because each dog differs. The other three varieties are the Tervuren, the Groenendael,and the Laekenois. For Heartworms your dog should be tested. . This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For an otherwise healthy Belgian Malinois, clean their ears once a month with an ear cleaner or ear flush. It is essential for a Belgian Malinois to receive vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation. The Malinois first arrived in the United States in the early 1900s. We like this glucosamine from Doggie Dailies. That way, chewing has a great influence on ears upright position. They are ergonomically designed to promote the proper shape and growth of soft Malinois puppy ears. These dogs generally have a moderately affectionate and friendly personality, but they do form strong bonds with their owners. Today, Belgian Malinois are often seen in the U.S. military and police forces. Avoid rubbing, folding, or bending his ears. For further information to help connect you with a Belgian Malinois, check out: Might not be appropriate for families with small children, Requires lots of activity and mental stimulation. Belgian Malinois are incredibly smart dogs, which makes them eager (and fast!) Height at Withers: Male: 24-26 in. Other times, genetics are at fault for an ear that does not straighten. The retina is a layer of cells at the back of the eye that allows you to see light. In that case, you cannot do anything. The Belgian Malinois dog breed is known for its adorable ears that stand up straight; however, some Belgian Malinois owners often wonder why their new puppys ears are floppy. Some more serious issues include hearing loss, balance issues, deafness in the infected ear, or in extreme cases, Horners syndrome, which is a condition that causes a loss of stimulation in the nerves surrounding the eyes. Breeders were looking to create a strong herding dog and protector with a steadfast work ethic. Size: Weight Range: Male: 55-75 lbs. If a puppys parents have very large, floppy ears, anything you do wont help your Mals ears to stand up one day. Belgian Malinois dont have very specific dietary requirements. This should not worry you, its only temporary. 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. Typically, Belgian Malinois need more than 40 minutes of exercise per day. A wide range is seen in temperament and aggressiveness. With every dog the cartlidge in their ears need to develop. 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 are predisposed to elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, both of which are hereditary structural joint conditions. link to Can Belgian Malinois Eat Raw Meat? This breed also is an excellent candidate fordog sportsor any activity that involves focus and endurance to challenge it mentally and physically. When this should happen? Training and socialization should begin early in a Belgian Malinois puppyhood. Males are slightly bigger than females. 2022 TrendingBreeds. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-leader-1-0'); If you are looking for a more natural way to include Glucosamine in your Mals diet then whole food might be a good choice : If you feed your Malinois with raw food, the whole food option wont be a problem but if your Malinois is eating only dry food for dogs, try to switch at least 10% of dry food to whole food.