Belgian Malinois: The Elite Athlete of Canine Sports

Belgian Malinois: The Elite Athlete of Canine Sports

The Belgian Malinois is a breed known for its intelligence, boundless energy, and versatility in various activities. Originally bred for herding, the Malinois has distinguished itself over the years as an exceptional working dog, widely used in police and military roles as well as canine sports. Its athletic ability and endurance make it one of the best dogs for disciplines such as Canicross, Bikejoring, and Scooter.

Characteristics of the Belgian Malinois

The Malinois is a medium-sized, muscular, and extremely agile dog. It has a well-balanced physique, with strong limbs and the stamina for long distances. Its short, dense coat allows it to adapt well to different temperatures, while its intelligence and obedience make it an exceptional training partner.

• Size: Between 58 and 66 cm (males) and between 54 and 62 cm (females).

• Weight: Between 25 and 30 kg.

• Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years.

• Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, agile, and highly energetic.

• Key skills: Quick learning, protective instinct, and extreme physical endurance.

Why is the Malinois Ideal for Sports like Canicross, Bikejoring, and Scooter?

1. Incomparable Energy and Endurance
   The Malinois possesses an exceptional level of energy, being able to run long distances without showing signs of fatigue. It is naturally resilient and has great cardiovascular capacity, making it ideal for traction and running sports.

2. Intelligence and Easy Training
   Thanks to its high intelligence and desire to please the handler, the Malinois learns commands quickly. This makes training for traction sports easier, where obedience and a rapid response to commands are essential for safety and performance.

3. Agility and Speed
   In addition to being resilient, the Malinois is agile and fast, which are essential traits for disciplines like Canicross, where changes in pace and direction are frequent, and for Bikejoring and Scooter, where speed is a crucial factor for performance.

4. Strong Bond with the Handler
   The Belgian Malinois is extremely loyal and forms a very strong bond with its handler. This factor is essential in traction sports, where the connection between dog and handler directly influences performance and the overall sporting experience.

Malinois Performance in the Disciplines

Canicross
Canicross, the sport where the runner and the dog are connected by an elastic line, requires strength, endurance, and good responsiveness to commands. The Malinois stands out in this sport for its speed, ability to maintain a steady pace, and quick adaptation to course conditions.

Bikejoring
In Bikejoring, where the dog pulls a bike, the Malinois shines with its power and acceleration. Its work instinct and willingness to run make this discipline an excellent choice for handlers looking for a fast and efficient partner.

Scooter
Scooter is similar to Bikejoring, but the pulling is done by one or more dogs on a special scooter. With its strength and agility, the Malinois can propel the equipment efficiently, providing speed and stability for the handler.

Belgian Shepherds are the only breed that has a specific championship, which includes the disciplines of Canicross, Agility, Mondioring, IGP, Obedience, and Herding. We’ve also covered this event in our interview with the 2024 winner, Eva Behrmann. If you haven’t read it yet, check it out in the index of editions. You’ll find the article in the second edition of August 2024. In this article, Eva also shares a lot about her experience training and running with Malinois.

To gain an even deeper understanding of this incredible breed, there's nothing better than the opinion of an athlete who lives the sport daily alongside his Malinois. With that in mind, Canicross Magazine invited French athlete Andy Leroy, better known as JUMI (@juleskennel) on social media, with over 119,000 followers on Instagram and numerous personal titles in canicross and bikejoring, to answer some questions and share valuable advice about the breed.

Canicross Magazine:

JUMI, what made you choose the Belgian Malinois as a companion for Canicross and Bikejoring?
It was precisely the Belgian Malinois that led me to discover these disciplines. They are extremely versatile dogs, enjoying all the activities we can propose to them, and moreover, they excel in everything they do!

In your opinion, what are the main characteristics of the Malinois that make it an excellent dog for these sports?
The Malinois has remarkable intelligence, which makes it easy to learn basic commands. It has unwavering motivation, exceptional endurance, great strength, and impressive explosiveness. All of this makes it an energetic dog at the starting line and extremely efficient during exertion.

What is your training and physical preparation process for your dogs?
My dogs love varying activities, which is ideal for their physical preparation and training. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, the program includes:

• Canicross and Bikejoring sessions, adjusting the intensity according to the conditioning level and weather. These sessions help develop power, endurance, and obedience to essential vocal commands for these sports.

• Free runs, while I run or bike, to strengthen aerobic endurance, giving them more freedom of movement.

• Plenty of ball games and forest sessions to develop explosiveness, reactivity, and muscle strength.

• Swimming, whenever the temperature allows, to work on cardiovascular conditioning without overloading the joints.

• Training on different types of terrain (hard surfaces, grass, sand...) to improve footwork and strengthen muscles.

What are the main challenges of competing with a Malinois in pulling sports?
The Malinois is a very dynamic dog and can sometimes be difficult to control, especially before and during the race. Its excitement can lead it to mismanage its effort, starting too fast and exhausting itself prematurely.

Additionally, it is an extremely reactive dog to its environment. It can get distracted by other dogs, spectators, or unexpected sounds. Its analytical ability is great; it thinks a lot, which can interfere with its concentration. Therefore, focus work and desensitization to external stimuli are essential for keeping it attentive to the race.

Finally, unlike Greyhounds or Eurohounds, it doesn't have a specific genetic predisposition for pulling. Muscular strengthening training is necessary to develop its endurance and ability to pull efficiently.

Could you share a specific experience where the skills of your Malinois made a difference in a race?
I noticed a significant difference in technical courses with natural obstacles. That's where the Malinois truly shines!

For example, in complicated Bikejoring sections, where it's essential to brake to avoid a fall, a well-trained Malinois can reduce speed on command. Other dogs might manage, but it's generally harder to control this response.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start in Canicross with a Malinois?
Don’t hesitate to start! The Malinois learns at an impressive speed. However, it's important not to rush things. Even though it picks things up quickly, it's essential to give time for progressive learning. This will ensure that you make the most of this discipline alongside your dog.

Below is Canicross Magazine’s ranking of the Malinois breed for the most popular pulling sports:

Canicross – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Malinois stands out in Canicross due to its intelligence, endurance, obedience, and explosiveness. It’s a dog that learns commands quickly, has boundless energy, and excellent pulling ability. With the right training, it can compete at a high level.

Bikejoring – ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Although it has great strength and speed, the Malinois can be difficult to control in Bikejoring, mainly due to its reactivity to the environment and its excessive enthusiasm, which can result in very intense starts and loss of focus. With good training, it can be a fantastic dog for the discipline.

Scooter – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
In Scooter, the Malinois also performs well but faces similar challenges as in Bikejoring. Being a lighter dog (compared to breeds like Greyhounds and Eurohounds), it may not have the same pulling capacity as dogs specifically bred for this sport. However, its explosiveness and endurance still make it an excellent competitor.

Note: This ranking is based on research from breed data and athletes' experiences, but there can be a wide range of opinions since dogs are not programmed robots; the individual matters greatly, and despite genetics, there are differences between each dog, which can lead to varying perceptions.

Conclusion from Canicross Magazine
The Belgian Malinois is undoubtedly one of the best dogs for pulling sports. Its combination of endurance, intelligence, and energy makes it an ideal partner for sporty owners seeking a high-performance dog. With proper training and care, the Malinois can excel in these disciplines and provide incredible experiences alongside its handler.