If you’ve followed Valor Protection Dogs from the beginning, you might be wondering:
“Where are all the Mals?”
More specifically, where are the Belgian Malinois protection dogs in Boise?
From the start, we intended to offer both German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois as personal protection dogs. We were optimistic that with our high standards and industry connections, we’d find Malinois who could meet the criteria. But despite our best efforts, that hasn’t been the case.
Our First Belgian Malinois Protection Dog Prospect
Last summer, we sourced a dark mahogany Belgian Malinois puppy from the Netherlands. Raised by a professional dog trainer, we were told he was social, confident, obedient, and stable around people, kids, and dogs. We were skeptical of a few things we saw in the videos, but trusted the trainer’s word. He seemed like a great candidate for a future Belgian Malinois protection dog.
So, I pulled the trigger.
Thousands of dollars (and an overseas flight) later, “Tony” arrived in the U.S.—and I had doubts from the moment he stepped out of the crate. Timid. Clingy. Uninterested in exploring his new surroundings. I chalked it up to travel fatigue, but my instincts said otherwise.
Later that day, I took him to a dog-friendly patio, and my fears were confirmed. He was nervous in crowds, wary of men, and disengaged. He even snapped at someone who bent down to pet him unexpectedly. This was not the confident, drivey, social Malinois I’d been sold.
Despite being marketed as a perfect protection dog prospect, he was clearly a washout from another program. And I’d just become another buyer burned by the system I set out to challenge.
Not Every Belgian Malinois Is Cut Out for Protection Work
Let me say this clearly: Breed alone does not make a protection dog.
Tony was sweet in the right setting—but not protection material. Once home, he struggled with my floors, showed aggression toward other intact males, and even snapped at my daughter while muzzled. The European trainer refused to refund me, so I sold him (with full disclosure) to another trainer better suited to his needs.
I lost money. I lost time. I lost trust.
As a general rule, Belgian Malinois have a ton of prey drive—too much, often—and very little defense. They tend to be nervy, reactive, and sensitive. While there are certainly exceptions, most of the Malinois I’ve met over the years have been unstable or flat-out neurotic. Only a handful have been balanced, clear-headed, and capable of doing protection work. The rest? All flash, no foundation.
Our Second Belgian Malinois Prospect
Not long after, I purchased another Malinois puppy—this one from a California-based breeder and professional trainer. He was said to have solid temperament and moderate drive. But from the start, he was… off.
He couldn’t follow a ball with his eyes. He avoided eye contact. He spooked at the smallest things, like a screw on the garage floor. And while he had tons of prey drive, he lacked defensive drive and awareness. He didn’t bark when people approached the house. He spun in his crate obsessively.
It became clear he likely had a vision problem. Thankfully, the breeder accepted him back.
Another loss. Another lesson. Another reason I no longer source Belgian Malinois protection dogs in Boise—or anywhere—unless I can vet the dog in person from the start.
So, Where Are the Belgian Malinois?
I’ve tried—twice. Both times I ended up with dogs that didn’t pass our protection dog standards. And when you’re investing the time, money, and energy to raise a Valor Protection Dog, that kind of failure isn’t acceptable.
Yes, Belgian Malinois are wildly popular right now. TV, movies, and internet fame have made them look like the perfect superhero dogs. But that popularity has led to irresponsible breeding, unstable temperaments, and a flood of dogs being sold as something they’re not.
If I ever bring another Belgian Malinois protection dog to Boise, you can bet it’ll be a unicorn of a dog. One with KNPV lines, exceptional temperament, and the traits we demand in our program.
Until then, we’re sticking with what works: our Czech and DDR German Shepherds. These dogs consistently meet the standard—and we know how to evaluate and raise them right. The working lines we choose are healthy, clearheaded, stable, balanced, methodical, and intelligent—everything we’re looking for. When we raise a dog, we’re not just raising it for one job. We’re raising dogs capable of excelling as service dogs, family companions, and protection dogs—all in one. That’s the standard we look for: well-rounded, confident, trustworthy German Shepherds who can adapt to whatever life throws at them and still shine.
In Conclusion
Valor Protection Dogs was founded to raise the bar. And raising the bar means saying no more often than saying yes. It means walking away from flashy marketing and trusting what the dog is showing you. It means starting with well-bred puppies at two months of age and doing it right.
If you’re wondering why you don’t see Belgian Malinois protection dogs in Boise in our lineup—this is why.
We’re not in the business of selling dogs that don’t meet the standard. And the standard is high.
