19/02/2022
While the last paragraph says it all, the whole post is worth the read (and I am so looking forward to seeing this movie): "So enjoy the movie. It’s Channing Tatum and a dog! How awesome is that! But please, don’t go find this breed on a whim. Any dog is a 15 yr commitment. Not a whim."
There is a movie coming out on Feb 18 called "Dog". It stars Channing Tatum and a highly trained Belgian Malinois. It's a road trip/buddy movie that I'm looking forward to myself.
However, People are going to see this film and many will want their own Belgian Malinois. This is not going to end well for this breed.
A highly trained Malinois is a work of art. So is Michelangelo's statue of David but I don't necessarily want it in my living room.
This breed can be amazing in the right hands but they require a lot of everything. If you are considering getting a Malinois, please, first go meet some Malinois of all ages at your local rescue.
Be honest with yourself about the amount of time that you have to dedicate to training one of these dogs. Not the person that you want to be but the person that you are right now. One of our rescues, Cooper is primarily this amazing breed, and he was disposed of because he was too much of a handful. They are highly energetic and super smart-which is hard to manage as a puppy and young adult if you can't devote the time and patience to training.
If you are still determined to get one. You can stem the inevitable tidal wave of Malinois that will be surrendered to the shelters by contacting your local shelter or a local Malinois rescue.
DO NOT get a Malinois from the guy down the street. Don't help backyard breeders line their pockets. Pure bred doesn't equal good breeding.
From the bottom of my heart, for the love of all dogs, those of us who rescue see what's coming and we bear the burden of choices people make on a whim regarding a breed they know little about.
So enjoy the movie. It’s Channing Tatum and a dog! How awesome is that! But please, don’t go find this breed on a whim. Any dog is a 15 yr commitment. Not a whim.
~Comments from trainer Shane Doss with some added personal remarks by our Executive Director, Shelley Wilkins. Photo courtesy of MGM.
