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Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) is originated from Belgium but Briard is originated from France. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) and Briard are having almost same height. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Briard. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) and Briard has almost same life span. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) and Briard has same litter size. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) requires Low Maintenance. But Briard requires High Maintenance
The Belgian Malinois is one of 4 Belgian Shepherd varieties. The dogs were developed- and hail from Belguim. The Malinois has a short, fawn colored coat. The American Kennel Club recognizes that the Malinois is a separate breed from the other 3 varieties. It was in 1892 that Professor Reul wrote the first Belgian Shepherd Dog standard, recognizing 3 varieties – dogs with short coats, dogs with long coats and dogs with rough coats.
Today's Malinois goes back to a breeding pair owned by Adrien Janssens. It was in 1885 that he bought a fawn, rough-haired dog, breeding the dog with a short-haired dog named Lise de Laeken. After other breedings, the two dogs were recognized as ancestors of the modern Belgian Shepherd Dogs.
The city of Malines formed a club for the promotion of these fawn short hairs and the name Malinois became synonymous with them. In March 1992, the American Belgian Malinois Club received AKC parent club status.
Through myth and legend, the Briard is thought to be a very ancient dog. A French herding breed, a Briard type of dog appears in writings as early as the end of the 14th century. According to legends the Briard was owned by Napoleon, Charlemagne, Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. As a cross between the Barbet and the Beauceron, the Briard came into popularity following its appearance in a Paris dog show in 1863. Bred originally to guard and herd sheep, these intelligent, independent dogs were often left on their own. Because they both guarded and herded, their size and structure as well as their personalities were different from other dogs that worked sheep. Those that herded only were fast, agile and smaller. Those that only guarded were heavier, bigger and stronger. The Briard was in-between these two types of breeds. He was well suited to any kind of farm work and guarded the crops from the sheep’s desire to eat them. They moved the sheep from one grazing area to another and then to their holding area at night. No humans had to assist the Briard in this work once they were trained.
During World War 1, the Briards were drafted into service as messengers, sentries and search dogs for lost or injured soldiers. In that time frame the breed served almost to the point of extinction. Breeding programs following the war brought them back. Today the Briard is a home companion, a police dog, as well as both military and civilian search and rescue dogs.
The Malinois is a medium-size Belgian shepherd dog. People sometimes mistake them for the German Shepherd as they are fairly similar to look at. The Malinois however is a smaller, lighter boned dog with naturally upright ears and a black-masked face. He is shorthaired and fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, although other colors are brown or red too. He is an intelligent and active dog, always having been used for herding-, police- and rescue work.
You’ll find the Malinois somewhat unpredictable as some are friendly and confident while other can be shy and withdrawn around strangers. This is a dog who loves to be around his human family, but to bring out the best in him, training and socialization classes will be necessary. Well-socialized Malinois are always good with children and other pets, more so if they’ve been raised with them.
The Briard is a powerful, intelligent and independent working dog. They have a straight topline and their height is almost the same as their length. They have long, large, rectangular heads with wide muzzles. Their noses are also square and jet black while their side set, large eyes can be black-brown or black. Their ears have traditionally been cropped but with more countries outlawing it, they can now have natural ears set high on the head. They have a tail that is feathered and low-cut. The feet of a Briard are round, compact and large.
The Briard is a double coated breed with a long beard and mustache. Their hair completely covers the head and the eyes so that they are not seen. They have prominent eyebrows as well.
The Belgian Malinois makes a wonderful guard dog and he works hard to ensure that his human family, whom he adores, are well protected under his watch. They’re such intelligent dogs too that you may feel inclined to pass over some of your chores to him.
He responds well to training, and to get the best from this breed, start with training and socialization as soon as you bring your puppy home.
Socialization is excellent as it introduces your puppy to different people, animals as well as situations.
He is an adaptable dog and can live in an apartment if he is well exercised. He can be your devoted and loyal friend for a good number of years but you will have to do your part in providing him with the best care possible.
As mentioned previously the Briard is intelligent and independent. They are also loyal, rugged, protective and bond intensely with their humans. They are often aloof when it comes to strangers or even when new furniture is introduced into the household. They have to learn that anything new into the family environment is friendly and good. They are great with children and susceptible to separation anxiety because of their deep affection for their people. Socialization for puppies is a must. This will let them know that people and children, other dogs in general are not harmful to their families. They have great memories and once they learn something – right or wrong – it is almost impossible to change it. They were bred to be independent thinkers who acted on their own conclusions. This is still true of the breed today, making them appear to be stubborn.
They are great watchdogs, fearless and brave; willing to learn, eager to make you happy. They are basically gentle but that always runs up against their protective nature. A strong alpha leader is needed to handle this hard-working dog.
Belgian Malinois are generally healthy dogs. However every dog, regardless of breed, can pick up illnesses, and it is always wise to be aware of some of the diseases your Malinois might face.
An inherited condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.
A degenerative eye disorder that can lead to blindness.
Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove tartar build-up. Too much plague leads to inflamed gums, bad breath, pus inside the mouth and even loss of teeth.
Being a large breed, the Briard shares many of the same health concerns as other large breeds. They have a few of their own as well. Typical issues for a Briard might include:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Degeneration –degeneration of the photoreceptors and retina.
Because the Malinois is a constant shedder, with a couple of heavy shedding periods during the year, you’ll need to be conscientious with his grooming and brush him at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs and to give his thick coat a glossy, healthy look to it.
Because of their high energy, Malinois aren’t recommended for couch-potato type owners. It will be cruel to buy such a dog and to leave him to waste away with boredom and frustration in your back yard. He’ll want lots of rough and tumble, ball games, runs in the park or in the country and long walks.
Belgian Shepherd Malinois puppies are vulnerable when they’re tiny, and it would be wise to speak to your vet about superb nutrition to build up a puppy’s immune system.
An excellent way to ensure the health of your growing Malinois is to give him a home prepared meals along with commercially manufactured food recommended by your vet. You can’t just put a bowl of commercially manufactured dog food in front of him day after day month after month.
Apart from what your vet recommends, give him some brown rice, some cooked vegetables and some raw meat. Raw meat will ensure he can fight of skin infections. The age of the dog, emotional state and environmental influences can all play a role in skin diseases with dogs, but by ensuring some raw meat in his diet, the immune system is strengthened and skin disorders are eliminated. Always ensure a steady supply of fresh water.
It is best to feed the Briard smaller meals 2-3 times a day to prevent bloat. Feed 3-4 cups total for the day of a dry dog food that is high quality and made for large breeds.
Stationary Night Blindness – Congenital limited vision in the dark can vary from slight difficulty moving to complete inability to see in the dark.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Degeneration – Can lead to night blindness, limited or total blindness. Puppies with the disease can be blind before their first birthday.
Bloat (Gastric Torsion) – Stomach is distended and twists. Fatal if not treated quickly. Caused by eating a large meal quickly and either exercise immediately or drink a large amount of water right after eating.
Von Willebrand’s Disease – Blood clotting disorder leads to excessive bleeding. There is no cure, but it is manageable.
The Briard is a working dog and as such needs a job. They excel at agility, flyball, herding, obedience, confirmation and tracking. They need exercise and make excellent service dogs for people with disabilities and therapy dogs for those in emotional need.