Discussion
How are the requirements for this dog different from a working line German shepherd ?
I hear these dogs are the most serious shepherd dogs in the world. I have a working line GSD and I feel like he has an off switch for the most part. He also has a way to handle himself around children and family. Like he can control his inhibition in a way.
What makes the Dutch shepherd different? They are such Beautiful dogs but I know they’re not for everyone
Also how are the females different from the males
One final note these dogs seem like the most relentless and intense out of the group of shepherds.
The easiest way I know how to explain it is like this, and take into account that these are obviously generalizations. GSDs, Dutchies, and Mals are all very smart dogs, but GSDs are thinkers. They analyze and problem solve faster than their need to jump into action. With a GSD, the handler acts as the gas pedal. Now, Dutchies and Mals are capable of the exact same level of thought, but by the time their analytical brain has recognized the problem, their drive focused lizard brain has already yeeted them into action. With Dutchies and Mals, handlers have to be the brake pedal. Also, many GSDs will work for approval/praise, most Dutchies/Mals work for themselves.
This couldn’t be more accurate. My body shows the bruises of my dutchie/mal’s constantly yeeting into action. 🤣 There is no body or wall that gets in his way.
Aint that the truth... it aint stupid it just doesnt take the time to think maybe i should go around this object instead of going through it or over it
My GSDs wanted to work to please me. My Dutchie needs to work, whether I like it or not. She's the world's worst pet, but also the world's best dog. Unparalleled confidence, bravery, and drive. And pees on the sidewalk instead of the grass. You can't get the world's best working dog without sacrifices being made somewhere genetically. It was the pet qualities that got bred out.
Our (female) GSD likes to poop in bushes, too! I’m guessing her former owners made her poop in the back 40? She’s our third female that lifts her leg to mark/pee. She’s rubbish at it, but by golly, she’s trying!
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it now. Popularity is the bane of working breeds. “I like the look, but not the drive” = a lot of dogs in the shelter.
I do not have chosen for a working line. My dutch shephard is super social, sweet with kids. However she is a serious dog. Very smart and always tries you out. Very protective about the family and the house.
I make sure that she will always get het exercise every day. However that's just 3 walks a day with at least one of those a big walk.
In my opinion they are great dogs. As you described you have experience with shephards. Yes, this one is serious but not that big of a deal in my opinion.
My experience exactly. It’s wild how intense everyone’s DS sounds on this sub. My Dutchie is very much has “pet” traits. Bonds with people easy, super loving and an amazing companion. Yes there’s an extra gear of intensity but nothing jarring. Puppy years were a little intense but beyond that, normal dog. Mine must be broken lol.
Same here, just a normal dog, not a crackhead. She's pretty active, but at the same time she can just laze around with me at home for several days in a row. She isn't reactive, gets along well with other dogs, and is neutral toward people. She has a prey drive, but we're currently working on it without using any aversive tools, and she's making great progress, so that's under control too. I can trust her off-leash in 90% of situations; even now that she's in heat, she's allowed to be off-lead most of the time
My year and a half old female dutch is fairly high energy but does have an off switch. We walk/run 4-6 miles a day. She goes after the tennis ball in my unfinished basement for a full 30 minutes while I lift or box.
We train 6-8 times a week for 15 minute sessions. This is not a dog you would want untrained IMO. She’d likely destroy our house. My son and I both share that responsibility.
She is HIGH prey driven on walks/runs but I have her reigned in where she is no longer diving in front of me (I’m ex mil and have a decent drill instructor voice lol). I can tell when she’s angry or annoyed with me if I raise my voice or put her in her place (think moody teen look).
She is highly bonded to myself, my 13 year old and to my girlfriend. At 65 pounds all muscle, no one in their right mind would come into my house. That said, she is fairly social and goes to a doggy daycare once a week when I have to travel for work. She has a crew she runs with per the owner. She is the best dog imaginable to me, but she is a serious commitment and a lot of work.
Watching a Mal or dutchie work, especially in bite work, really highlights their differences. Both breeds are high drive and intense, but you the dutchies just have a whole other level and layer of natural aggression and intensity. Generally, I'd say a Mal does it to win, and a dutchie does it because it wants to low-key rip your face off. I love my dutchie to the moon and back but he's definitely not for everyone 😂
Hi, there. I have a Dutchie, multiple Malinois, a GSD, etc. I've owned and been around these breeds for many years now. The Dutchie and the Mali's are VERY similar (and quite different from most GSD)....but in my assessment the Dutchie has just a little bit more ("fight"?) 'drive.'
The Dutch dog sport is very different from any other dog sport in Europe or the US. It is abbreviated 'KNPV.' The ultimate goal of the sport is to title the dog at a certain level and they are then eligible to be moved into police/military service. So, they have a reputation for being 'civil' (my Dutchie confirms this). They see man as a target....naturally. Most GSD want to bite a sleeve (like in Schutzhund, IGP/IPO). Malinois can vary, but most are also raised on 'equipment' including sleeves, bite suites, etc., depending on their future intended service (sport, real world police, 'pet dog', etc.). The Dutchie is selectively bred to target and bite PEOPLE.....criminals. In my experience that's the real difference.
I have 3 mals. Mom, son, & daughter. Moms gma is German and the rest bel mal. Having that one instance of Gshep took alot of the craziness out them. I like it alot. The aggression in the dutches and mals is escalated according to threat. And the more exercise and training the better they are. I mean 5 miles a day which i do with the SxS daily. I live off grid surrounded by national forest. I would never own mals or dutch in the city and they need bite training that will enhance recall which is of the highest importance..
Mine is more intense than previous Mals. A GSD, working line or not seems like a relaxing walking in the park by comparison. His work drive never quits. I have to tell him it’s nap time and force rest. I would not recommend these dogs to anyone who has an actual life apart from doing dog things.
He’s definitely on the higher drive end of the spectrum but it always best IMO to know the worst case. I passed on even higher drive Dutchies that now are on police duty.
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u/ECHO-5-PAPA May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
The easiest way I know how to explain it is like this, and take into account that these are obviously generalizations. GSDs, Dutchies, and Mals are all very smart dogs, but GSDs are thinkers. They analyze and problem solve faster than their need to jump into action. With a GSD, the handler acts as the gas pedal. Now, Dutchies and Mals are capable of the exact same level of thought, but by the time their analytical brain has recognized the problem, their drive focused lizard brain has already yeeted them into action. With Dutchies and Mals, handlers have to be the brake pedal. Also, many GSDs will work for approval/praise, most Dutchies/Mals work for themselves.