Baby-sitting a Malinois

[Blaze]

We tried multiple times to get him to go in the pool. Even tried lifting him into it. He did not take kindly to that.

I once threw a stick into a lake and one of our Aussies, without thinking, chased after it and dived off the bank into the water. She retrieved the stick and gave me the blackest look imaginable when she got out I didn't do it again

[Lori]

We tried similar with his favorite frisbee. Never fell for it.

[Lori]

Dogs are funny and real individuals! Our last dog (English Setter) hated water but wet farmyard muck was heaven! His predecessor (Standard Yorkie) loved water. Both strays we took in.

That's funny. It reminded me of how much our collie loved it when we turned the hosepipe on. He could not get enough of chasing that water. Could go at it forever. He also loved water sprinklers. He just did not like the pool.

[Blaze]

Rex loves the water pistol !

[Lori]

[Chappers51]

Freddy barked and ran round the pool whenever I went in so all my neighbours in the village knew I was swimming.
Raffi goes into his pool every morning when we return from our walk and at other times but he hates the hose and won’t go into the swimming pool. He sits and watches me when I swim, which is fine by me as it keeps his fur out of the pool.

[Lori]

Our collie (Toutou) always sat under a shade tree while I swam. He would bark if we had children visiting who played in the pool. He wanted to play with them, but was not willing to go in. Just barked.

[Sparkle]

I'd never heard of a Malinois until this post and then I read this article which I thought you doggie lovers may be interested in?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/real ... mixes.html

[Lori]

Yes, I saw that article. I agree with most of what she said, but I could not stand the smell of a basset hound. We had a basset/beagle mix when I was growing up and she smelled bad even after a bath!

So many pure breed dogs have health issues. Collies have hip and eye issues.

[Blaze]

@Sparkle The choice of dog breed is very subjective and you'll never persuade a chihuahua owner to have a Malinois !! I totally agree with the vet's opinion on which dog she'd least like to own.
She's absolutely right about the Malinois - I would never have one, they're not pets, far too busy and demanding of attention and need to be kept busy. Rex is coming along fine, but it's hard work ....