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If you have recently watched the Channing Tatum dog movie, Dog, you know how touching and comedic it was. Channing Tatum really gave quite the performance alongside the beautiful Lulu, a stunning Belgian Malinois.
If you have never heard much about the Belgian Malinois, we wanted to explain the breed to those interested. A Malinois is certainly not for the faint of heart, as they are intense dogs that require a lot of attention. Let’s explore the specifics so you can get to know more about Britta and her breed history.
Lulu Is a Belgian Malinois
Britta, Lana 5, and Zuza are the three beautiful Malinois that play the Lulu dog character in the film Dog. This charming, funny, and moving movie follows the motions of a dog left behind. In the film, Lulu’s original owner was killed during the war.
As the dog has gone through an emotional roller coaster in the first part of the film, she acts out in response to her owner. As Channing Tatum gets to know Lulu better, the two of them start to develop quite a connection.
It seems that he has to learn how to soften up around the edges to communicate correctly with the dog, and the dog has to learn how to trust humans again. This movie captures the reality of owning a dog in the service.
Foundations are dedicated to helping soldiers keep their pets. If you would like to learn more about how to help your community in different ways, check locally to see how you can contribute.
All About the Belgian Malinois
Now that you know more about the film, let’s get to know the Belgian Malinois breed itself. The Belgian Malinois is among several different types of shepherds whose original purpose was to herd and protect. Because of their highly focused personalities, they have developed tremendously since their humble beginning.
These dogs are now used in many different task-related fields, everything from service to bomb-sniffing. These incredible canines continue to impress humans with their unbeatable intelligence and unwavering companionship.
Personality
The Belgian Malinois is a highly focused canine with incredible alertness and agility. These dogs are loyal and devoted to their owners and take their rules as your partner in crime very seriously. They are exceptional guard dogs and will serve and protect your household.
While the Belgian Malinois can be playful and fun-loving, they may not make a good companion animal for many families. These dogs are high maintenance and require constant stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
An unsocialized Belgian Malinois might exhibit unwanted behaviors, such as being nervous around people, uncomfortable around other dogs, or phobias. So, if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t have a lot of extra time to spend with your dog, this is certainly not the breed that you can keep kenneled all day long.
You will have to ensure that they have appropriate outlets. If you have a well trained, well socialized Belgian Malinois, you are set to have a companion for life. They will gladly accompany you on any outdoor adventure you can think of and will stay extremely focused when learning new things.
Trainability
The Belgian Malinois is highly trainable. While German Shepherds typically get all the credit in this category, the Belgian Malinois is often preferred on police task forces and is capable of learning just about anything you’re willing to teach them.
As you can tell from the movie, the Malinois is incredibly trainable and capable of acting on command. It is very important to constantly fill a Malinois’ day with stimulation. They benefit very much from puzzle games, scavenger hunts, and other scent related tasks.
Companionship
If you are looking for a dog that you can train and work with on a daily basis, the Belgian Malinois is an exceptional choice. They certainly won’t disappoint you with their keen intelligence and desire for new information.
However, they are not a fit for every lifestyle. They typically work best in highly focused homes with owners who are very active. The dog is intense and certainly not the kind that you can just keep about the house. They want to be active, on the go, and have new daily experiences.
This dog is a protective animal, which means they will defend their home. It is an exceptional dog to have if you want a guard dog to look after your place. They also tend to do very well with older children, understanding their role in the household.
Diet
A Belgian Malinois requires a protein-dense, high-calorie meal that is made with wholesome, high-quality ingredients. These dogs are incredibly active so they need a recipe that is going to keep up with their needs.
Often, families choose to feed their Belgian raw or homemade diets since they are more species-specific. Regardless of what type of dog food you choose, it should be vet-approved and have the protein, calorie, and carb content necessary to keep these active dogs looking their best.
Exercise
Your Belgian Malinois needs plenty of exercise on a daily basis. On average, these dogs require at least 2 hours minimum of exercise per day. Exercise doesn’t just end with a simple jog around the neighborhood. These dogs need highly focused exercise that will keep their brains active.
A Belgian Malinois will enjoy a wide variety of activities. They absolutely love using their sense of smell to explore their territories. They are hyper-aware of their surroundings and will be extremely agile with games like fetch and other retrieving games.
Alternately, you need to have something on hand at all times to keep your Malinois occupied. These dogs typically are aggressive chewers, so having lots of toys on hand can help alleviate some tension as well.
Grooming
The Belgian Malinois has a thick short coat that sheds your round. You might notice bulk shedding during the spring and fall months, so it is important to keep all grooming tools on hand to make your life easier. You’ll also want to keep up with routine hygiene and grooming practices to avoid unwanted fur puffs on your fabrics, linens, and furniture.
Depending on your lifestyle and your Belgian Malinois needs, they can benefit from a full body bath once every 6 to 12 weeks. You can take them to a professional groomer or do the job yourself. To avoid any allergies, we recommend using fragrance-free, natural-based shampoos and conditioners for your dog. This type of breed requires daily brushing if you want to keep up with the shed.
You can have several different types of brushes, each serving a slightly different purpose. A standard synthetic or animal hair brush will evenly distribute the oils through your dog’s skin and fur. A slicker brush will help remove the daily shed and will probably be your best friend for everyday cleaning.
But we highly recommend adding a shedding tool on hand to deal with bulk shredding seasons and really get to the underbelly of loose fur. The Belgian Malinois will never need a haircut, which can reduce their temperature regulation. As tempting as it might be to shave them down during the summer, it actually is counterproductive and could make it harder for them to cool their bodies.
Health
The Belgian Malinois is generally a healthy dog, permitting they have proper breeding. However, they can be predisposed to certain health conditions.
Some of these include:
- Hip/elbow dysplasia
- Pannus (chronic superficial keratitis)
- Lymphosarcoma
A good way to prepare for potential health issues is to consider getting insurance for your dog. This will cover illnesses, emergencies, and other services that you elect in your policy. That way, you never have to worry about being unprepared when it comes to visits.
Foundations That Help Soldiers and Their Pets
If you love the military, there are definitely ways that you can support them throughout the pet-owning process. Deployments can take time away from pets and might even require lengthy babysitting from friends and family or even rehoming.
When soldiers find themselves in situations where they could lose their pets, or they’re having other problems related to keeping them, foundations were set in place to aid our ladies and gentlemen in uniform.
This is not an exhaustive list of resources for veterans or military members. If you think your family or you could benefit from any of the services we mentioned, be sure to research diligently. Some of these foundations include:
1. Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pets
This foundation encourages folks to foster the pets of soldiers who are away. It was put in place to ensure that a soldier’s dog never has to go to a new home and can remain in their care upon their arrival back home. There are tons of ways to help, including applying to foster yourself.
2. PACT Military Foster Program
This military program offers free temporary foster care to military pets for their well-being while their owners are away. Much like the Guardian Angels Foundation, it works directly with people to ensure the best home possible for the animal.
3. Puppy Jake Foundation
This particular foundation works diligently to select and train service dogs to assist wounded veterans. It is a wonderful foundation to help our American heroes as they transition to civilian life. It can be especially useful for soldiers with PTSD and other trauma-based mental issues.
4. The Warrior Dog Foundation
This particular foundation is less focused on the pet-human relationship and more focused on working dogs. This foundation was put in place to help transition a task force dog to civilian living. When they enter retirement, it can be a real change of pace with them, so they hope to lessen the load and smooth the transition.
Conclusion
We all can agree that the performance of Britta, Lana 5, and Zuza in the movie Dog was stunning. The chemistry between her and Channing Tatum set the whole mood for the film. It is incredible to learn about these exceptional dogs and all that they are capable of.
We certainly don’t give enough credit to our dogs for all the wonderful things they can accomplish. We hope that there will be more Belgian Malinois movies in the future!
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Featured Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock
