Some questions about the breed / mix of this breed. - Page 1

Hi everyone,

I am going to look at some puppies next week. They are a Belgian Malinois / Great Pyrenees hybrid. I don't know what the percentage is, but that will be one of my questions! I am wanting a dog to grow up with my kids and be a good farm and security dog. In my experience with GP and from what I've read about Mal's, they are really total opposite breeds!

We have a 2.5 acre hobby farm with several critters and two other dogs (both bird dogs). The GP tend to be great with farm animals and kids, but I am concerned about the "prey drive" reputation of the mal. Yet, they are herding dogs, so they shouldn't want to eat my goats, right? I love the idea of the intelligence, trainability and alertness of the mal. And I DO want a dog to be territorial and protective. Do you feel that raising it from a young puppy would help it not see farm animals as prey? Just use intense training right from the start? This could either be the perfect dog, or a complete disaster.

I do trust the family this pup would come from. They are also farmers, and they take very good care of their animals, and have several young children, so these puppies have been loved and cuddled and exposed to chickens right from the get-go.

ANyway, I'd just be curious if anyone has experience with this particular hybrid, or any opinions about the breed on a farm setting.

It all depends on whether the pups take after the GP or the mali, it could go either way.

I wouldn't assume that you'll get the best of both breeds. You may end up with a dog that's not typical of either breed.

I'd check out whether this is a one-off accidental mating, or if the
seller has some older examples you can meet and try to assess.

I had one of these in a private obedience class I ran maybe 15 years ago.  Sire was a GP, the dam was a Malinois from a cross of work and show lines.  One of the first things that was a surprise, it was brindle.  And so where it's littermates.   Turns out that's not uncommon in GP mixes.  The dog looked like a lighter built brindle GP.  Medium drive, medium activity level.  Pretty smart, wasn't difficult to train.  If I remember right it was OK with other dogs, I don't recall any issues with the dog an my demo dogs.  I don't know if the owner had it around livestock, cats, etc.  Can't remember. 

I think if you start with a pup with a solid temperament and medium drives (don't pick the over the top pup, assuming their even is one) it should be fine if raised right.  Both breeds are livestock breeds, although their purpose is different.  But both should be able to be raised around livestock and understand appropriate behavior.  The dog may or may not be able to be around livestock unsupervised, that will depend on it's drive levels AND personality.  High drive doesn't automatically equal killer of livestock, I have multiple very high drive Malinois I trust around mine unsupervised, and multiple high, but not that high, ones that I don't trust at all around them unless I am right there to supervise them. 

I think everyone is right in suggesting that you should just be aware of your wants when choosing the pup and find one that'll fit your needs... Training my mal has been incredibly easy, she's wicked smart (almost too much so sometimes), and although she does have an incredible prey drive (we've taken her hunting and she loves squirrels and birds!!!), her drive to please me is even higher than that. Once I show stern disapproval for any behavior, it's very rare that I see it again...

I have a guinea pig at home as well, no herding animals, and yes, I've seen that dog hone in on him and look very eager for a bite! However, she's never challenged the knee high kennel I keep him in. She could easily jump it, she clears fences in milliseconds (wow but they are incredible athletes!!), but she seems to understand that I value him and that he's off limits. I'm not a big time trainer, and she's my first mal so I'm no expert on the breed, but I've never seen a dog so intelligent and respectful and eager to please. I honestly used to be terrified of what might happen to my Guinea pig, but after a year of having them in the same home, I'm confident she'll leave him alone. Like so many other boundaries we have at home, once I showed her that I didn't want her breaching that barrier protecting my guinea pig she accepted it with little/ no challenge. I can leave the house with them both inside and she doesn't do anything... Also, the gal that watches her for me when I'm gone has a farm with chickens, and she said she has the same results I do at home.

Part of the reason why we have such a good time though I believe is due to the fact that I'm constantly burning off her energy and giving her healthy options for exercising her instincts. So, just pick a pup who's energy level is easy to match for you :) from my experience so far, the mal is a stellar dog, but I had to have her because I knew from meeting her that we would be the perfect match. I was willing to flex on breed as long as the personality was there, and took her in spite of everyone's objections. I was told mals are untrainable, cracked out dogs that could be horrifically aggressive, but everyone that's met her can't get over how gentle, loyal, and loving she is. She's a family favorite, and took on all my baby cousins for a hilarious game of football last easter. She didn't start out this way, but with a firm hand and good leadership she's quickly become the best dog I've ever owned.

Best of luck in finding another addition to your family!