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Belgian Malinois
Country of Origin: Belgium
Group: Herding
Use today: Guardian, assistance, herding trials, Police, and Military service
Life Span: 10-14 years
Color: Rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs giving an overlay appearance. The mask and ears are black. The under parts of the body, tail and breeches are lighter fawn. The tips of the toes may be white, and a small white spot on the breastbone/prosternum. Rare colors to find are the blue and all black Malinois.
Coat: The coat should be comparatively short, straight, hard enough to be weather resistant, with a dense undercoat. It should be very short on the head, ears, and lower legs
Grooming: Groom regularly to maintain coat health
Height: Males, 24 to 26 inches in height; females 22 to 24 inches.
Weight: 55-75lbs Bone structure for both is moderately heavy in proportion to height so that the dog is well balanced throughout.
The Belgian Malinois is a striking dog, wearing a short fawn to mahogany coat with a black overlay. The breeds prick ears; dark eyes and keen expression mark it as the intelligent working dog it is. It bears some resemblance to the German Shepherd Dog to which, some European authorities claim, it may be related. In outline it is identical to the Belgian Sheepdog and the Tervuren, but its grooming needs are minimal, requiring only a weekly brushing. The Mal stands up to 26 inches at the shoulder and is best suited to a large home with a yard. The breed is loyal and trustworthy and makes an ideal family pet in situations where it can receive a moderate amount of exercise. Like most herding breeds, the Malinois is an independent thinker, so begin training early. This dog competes well in a number of canine sports, from obedience to herding to sledding. The Malinois is an excellent watchdog.
Dutch Shepherd
Country of Origin: Holland
Use Today: : Herding, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, protection and performance sports
Group: Rare / Herding
Life span: 10-14
Color: All three varieties come in blue and various shades of brindle including gray, yellow, silver and red
Coat: Short coat? hard coat, not too short, with a wooly undercoat. Long coat ? long, straight close lying coat harsh to the touch, without curls or waves, with a wooly undercoat. Rough coat ? a thick, rough, harsh, tousled coat with a dense, wooly undercoat
Height: Between 23 and 25 inches
Weight: Approximately 66 pounds
The three varieties of the Dutch Shepherd have been recognized in their present form since the early 1700s but didn't gain notice until they were brought to Holland in 1870. The breed was popular for its herding abilities but lost ground when flocks dwindled and demand for the German Shepherd Dog soared. The Dutch Shepherd varieties are medium-sized, powerful dogs, standing between 23 and 25 inches at the shoulder and weighing about 66 pounds. The Shorthaired Shepherd has a short, dense coat; the Longhaired Shepherd has a long, straight coat that is flat and harsh, with shorter hair on the face and the front of the legs; and the Roughhaired Shepherd has a medium-length coat that is thick and wiry, with a dense, woolly undercoat. All three varieties come in blue and various shades of brindle including gray, yellow, silver and red. The breed is affectionate, obedient, faithful and reliable, making it a popular dog for guard work.
German Shepherd
Country of Origin: Germany
Group: Herding
Use today: Herding, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, protection and performance sports
Life Span: 10 to 14 years
Color: Usually black-and-tan "saddle." Also acceptable: black, black and silver, black and red. Blues, livers and washed-out color are faults.
Coat: Double coat of medium length desirable; dense outer coat, downy undercoat
Grooming: Brush daily, trim nails regularly, and bathe and clean ears as necessary
Height: Females, 22 to 24 inches tall; males, 24 to 26 inches
Weight: 75 to 80 pounds
The German Shepherd Dog, a breed whose versatility has led it to such varied careers as sentry, police dog, tracker, drug dog, search-and-rescue dog, and guide dog. The breed was originally found on German farms, and its type was standardized in the 1890s by a German cavalry officer, Capt. Max Von Stephanitz, whose aim was to perfect a superior herding dog of elegant appearance. The breed was first imported to North America early in the 1900s and got its biggest boost in popularity after World War I, largely because of the screen exploits of Rin Tin Tin. The breed makes a loyal family dog and fearless guardian of the home. It excels in obedience work and may begin this training at an early age provided the more strenuous exercises are not overdone. The ideal height for males is 25 inches at the shoulder, and weight ranges from 75 to 80 pounds. Females are somewhat smaller. Given their size and high activity level, German Shepherd Dogs are best suited to homes with yards. Lots of daily outdoor exercise is a must. The double coat is dense, straight and close in black and tan, all-black or varying shades of sable. It sheds heavily, so the breed needs regular, thorough brushing. German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent and easy to train, especially when training begins at an early age. They perform well in obedience and other canine sports. This breed loves children and is a superb watchdog
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