About the breeds
Belgian Malinois: The Belgian Malinois is one of four types of Belgian Shepherd Dog. This dog is new to the UK (approximately 10 years). It is however, well known and respected internationally as a working dog of the Schutzhund type. The Malinois is used extensively by the military especially the Special Forces both in the UK and abroad. Perhaps most famously they are the sole dog of choice of Unit Oketz, the elite canine Special Forces unit of the Israeli Defence Force. The Malinois is a versatile dog and in Belgium is still used for herding livestock and farm protection. The working line Malinois is a lively, fun loving, intelligent dog and as a young pup can pick up basic obedience in a matter of minutes. It is very senstive (like the DH) to its environment therefore, it is very important to be clear early on with training and exposure to people and the outside world so as not to imprint unwanted habits. The Malinois is loyal and loving to its family and needs mental and physical exercise otherwise boredom can result in destructive behaviour. This dog thinks - and once over a year old it can assess situations for itself (hence early socialisation/training according to working requirements). It makes an excellent 'buddy' - i.e. it will work WITH you rather than FOR you. Once over a year old the Malinois becomes a Malinois! it remains loyal and loving to family and well-known friends but wary and alert of strangers and strange behaviour.
The Dutch Herder: The Dutch Herder is the national dog of Holland yet it is virtually unknown in the UK. It is used there as the ultimate working dog, doing everything from farm work such as herding, livestock protection, even pulling carts to protection and police work. The Dutch is increasing popular in the USA where it is employed as a police dog able to do everything from crowd control, apprehension of criminals, search and rescue, drug and explosive detection and cadaver detection. Indeed all three breeds are able to do this. The DH is very intelligent and for example, will pick up basic obedience training in 30 minutes. It wants to please, is very loyal and loving to its pack (human and animal) and likes to be with the pack. It is a friendly dog to those it knows but will warn off anyone it thinks may cause harm. It needs mental and physical stimulation in equal measures though should not be over-exercised below 1 year old. They have a happy, lively temperament and are often clumsy. The DH does not like hard handling and may respond aggressively to this. It can be stubborn and prefers fair, kind handling. This dogs thinks - it is very quick, clever and brave. It needs someone sensitive to these needs. To sum up the DH - it has the lightening, precocious intelligence of the Malinois and the common sense and steadfastness of the GSD.
German Shepherd: The GSD is well known in the UK as a police and security dog and continues to be the most commonly used dog for this purpose. About 90 per cent of police, military and security industry dogs are GSD's. They continue to be popular in these areas of work because of their proven abilities gathered over many years. However, it is increasingly hard to locate a healthy, good, confident GSD due to years of poor breeding by some breeders. Breeding for 'looks' rather than temperament started in the 1970s and has resulted in weaker lines. Increasingly, those wanting a working/service GSD are looking towards Eastern European working lines as they are known for their health and temperament - much more what the GSD was like before been bred out. The GSD is slower to train than the Malinois or DH but once trained will happily do repetitive tasks according to what the handler requires. It likes structure and is a loyal, brave dog. People know what a GSD is - and especially the Eastern European lines are so impressive that they can stop anything happening.
The Dutch Herder: The Dutch Herder is the national dog of Holland yet it is virtually unknown in the UK. It is used there as the ultimate working dog, doing everything from farm work such as herding, livestock protection, even pulling carts to protection and police work. The Dutch is increasing popular in the USA where it is employed as a police dog able to do everything from crowd control, apprehension of criminals, search and rescue, drug and explosive detection and cadaver detection. Indeed all three breeds are able to do this. The DH is very intelligent and for example, will pick up basic obedience training in 30 minutes. It wants to please, is very loyal and loving to its pack (human and animal) and likes to be with the pack. It is a friendly dog to those it knows but will warn off anyone it thinks may cause harm. It needs mental and physical stimulation in equal measures though should not be over-exercised below 1 year old. They have a happy, lively temperament and are often clumsy. The DH does not like hard handling and may respond aggressively to this. It can be stubborn and prefers fair, kind handling. This dogs thinks - it is very quick, clever and brave. It needs someone sensitive to these needs. To sum up the DH - it has the lightening, precocious intelligence of the Malinois and the common sense and steadfastness of the GSD.
German Shepherd: The GSD is well known in the UK as a police and security dog and continues to be the most commonly used dog for this purpose. About 90 per cent of police, military and security industry dogs are GSD's. They continue to be popular in these areas of work because of their proven abilities gathered over many years. However, it is increasingly hard to locate a healthy, good, confident GSD due to years of poor breeding by some breeders. Breeding for 'looks' rather than temperament started in the 1970s and has resulted in weaker lines. Increasingly, those wanting a working/service GSD are looking towards Eastern European working lines as they are known for their health and temperament - much more what the GSD was like before been bred out. The GSD is slower to train than the Malinois or DH but once trained will happily do repetitive tasks according to what the handler requires. It likes structure and is a loyal, brave dog. People know what a GSD is - and especially the Eastern European lines are so impressive that they can stop anything happening.