I know with bulldogs you can go by who wins competitions. Our breeder was more than happy to show us all her ribbons and trophies. Also when our breeder sells pups she list the mom and dad so that you know where your pup is coming from. You can also check the AKC papers and search the dogs names.

thanks trini - good point - i'll pay attention to who wins the "working dog competitions". The kennel names are ususally expressed in those long fancy show names.

One point though - a Malinois that is from working lines would not be AKC i don't think. AKC would focus more on conformation and not as much on performance events.

Honestly I don't follow dog shows...I went to a breeder for my pup only because I won't shop pet stores and had just gone through medical problems with my old dog so could not rescue just yet (I love bulldogs so a rescue is almost guaranteed to be a medical nightmare). I wanted to make sure I had a healthy dog so I went to a breeder. But I did think the AKC had a working dog competition or is it sporting dogs? I only watch if I see the bulldogs on parade otherwise I quickly lose interest :-)

Call your local Malinois club or contact the American Working Malinois Association (AWMA) for breeder lists. They'll be able to make some recommendations in terms of which are breeding for performance and which are focused on confirmation titles. They'll also be able to tell you who to avoid, which is just as important.

When it comes to working breeds, speaking from my experience with German Shepherds and as I'm getting to know the Border Collie herding community here, you'll find a divide in breeders between those breeding mainly for confirmation goals (ie. AKC showring) and those breeding for working purposes 1st and foremost -who focus on temperament, drive and health.

I believe you posted a topic not long ago about schutzhund? It sounds like you're looking for a pup with serious working lines for temperament and drive. A schutzhund club may also be a good source of finding breeders who are already involved in the sport.

Get one bred for herding. They are herding dogs, and the ones bred for work will be smarter and healthier.

Remember that as a herding dog, the Malinois in general is high spirited and needs a job. So consider agility with that sort of breed.

Well, i don't want to do herding - not sure why - doesn't appeal to me. Although, interestingly, my Mal does run out and yap at my donkeys' back legs just like herders do i think.

Yes, Northy - i'm talking to the schutzhund people too. But boy, if i became serious with schutzhund, i would use a dobie or a rotti - they're so formidable looking. Mals look wimpy since they're so lean and rangy-looking. LOL. But my girl is great. I'm hoping to join the local schutzhund club. Crossing my fingers.

I don't know if you'll need a tougher looking dog! :P I've seen some pretty scary intense Mals at a DVG schutzhund demonstrations! They are still the police dog of choice in most parts of europe as they are more agile than GSD and have less genetic pitfalls.

They are a herding dog. You see them in agility, confirmation, herding. Google Malionis Club and on their site you will find a list of breeders. Go to different web sites and you will see what some of the breeders do with their dogs and the wins.

check out the forums on the Leerburg site. Lots of serious dog sport guys there working mainly with GSD's but some Mal devotee's too

Lisa

Belgian Shepherd aka Malinois aka Malligator aka German-Shepherd-on-crack ... and cute as all get out when puppies!

A Mal will run circles around a Rottie or Dobe on the schutzhund field.

I love the part in this video where a 45lb Mal pulls the bad guy out of a van:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeS9wf9weH4

Here's another good one showing the various Ring sports - Belgian, French, and KNPV. Malinois dominate here, GSD's are just too big and cumbersome to do this work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBaMYxlLLA8

Hands down the best Malinois Kennel in the US is Ivan Balibanov's Ot Vitosha in Plant City, Florida. Ivan and his dogs have dominated just about every international working dog championship in the last ten years.

http://www.ivanbalabanov.com/accomplishments.html

Thanks tournant - those are cooooooooooooolll!! Makes me proud to have a Mal. I'd be humbled to just go to an Ivan seminar - let alone buy one of his dogs. I just got his "advanced SchH" book. Surprised to see that one of his best dogs was a female.

That's a really good point guys. Their agileness(?) is really an asset. The GSD's ARE rather large so you can look at it both ways.

Dobesrule - yes, i know the Leerburg site - am getting one of their DVD's soon - can't wait. That guy is interesting - have you read his opinions of USA?

vicky

As with any pure bred dog lines the best place to start is a dog show. Make certain that the breeder you find allows you on the property, that you are able to meet and greet the stud and b*tch and that you can get refs. Be certain the refs are current and the breeder allows you to talk with their vet about problems. Read up on inherited problems with the breed. Fortunately you have fallen in love with a breed that has not been overbred. They are pretty hyper tho, so be prepared to take your new addition out for lots of activity. Good Luck

Almost all of the US Government working dogs are Mals. They are all trained by my winter home- San Antonio Air Force Base-Lackland. Their dogs come fro Germany, as they do not like American bred dogs in general- the dogs here have had the working attitude bred out- the US focusus on conformation an not work ethics- just like ruining the rotties here, GSD. We here in the US tend to screw up alot of dog breeds- don't want to start any arguments here, but we have really made a mess of alot of breeds.
When a dog at Lackland does not work out for some reason- either does not have the drive, psych problems, or is being retired and will be able to be safe with the public, they are offered for adoption. Some are adopted b their handlers if possible, and if too aggressiveput down or kept with the handler. I don't know the whole story about the dogs that are too aggressive to be adopted.
If you are wanting a good working kine, if you can find out where Lackland gets their dogs...