Appearance of the Mali-Dutchie
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| Tall and squarely built, the Mali-Dutchie is a proud, alert breed. Combining all the traits of the parent breeds, male Mali-Dutchies can reach up to 66 centimeters at the withers and weigh up to 36 kilos at maturity. Because they are a hybrid breed, it is difficult to determine an exact appearance, as it can change considerably even within the same litter. However, despite this, the typical appearance consists of a body built to work, with an athletic build and strong lines that make the Mali-Dutchie intimidating and graceful at the same time. Although this dog is not square and muscular like some other working-class breeds, its body is built for speed and makes Mali extremely agile, perfect for jobs such as search and rescue or breeding. Their coat is an all-weather coat, taking after both parents, which enables them to withstand different weather variations. Despite this fact, the Mali tends to prefer cooler weather above all else. This is a beautiful breed whose coat can come in a variety of colors, from a light fawn to a rich mahogany swirled with tan, black or silver. When combined with a long muzzle, strong jaw and athletic build, there's no doubt that Mali-Dutch turn heads wherever they go. |
Temperament of the Mali-Dutchie
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| The Mali-Dutchie is not a normal pet. They are specifically designed to function as a guardian and faithful companion no matter what. Due to the high intelligence of both parent breeds, the Mali-Dutchie will not settle for a lazy-dog lifestyle. They need a lot of physical and mental stimulation, and will need work of some kind to keep them from being destructive and developing undesirable habits. This breed, though full of energy and hard work, is extremely loyal and very affectionate towards its humans. There should never be any aggression in this breed, but due to their highly protective nature, this can cause problems if proper training and socialization takes place. Although Mali are great with other dogs and children, it's important never to leave them unsupervised, especially when they're young or poorly socialized, as their herding tendencies can show. They are not barkers, but will alert their humans with a series of barks if anything suspicious is going on. Although the Mali is not your average companion dog, with the right family willing to work with them and provide the exercise they need, they can be an excellent companion for active people or those with disabilities, as long as they are well trained by a professional. |
Needs and activities of the Mali-Dutchie
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| Because the Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd are very active breeds that were designed to guard and work a farm, the Mali-Dutchie is going to need just as much physical and mental stimulation to keep them really happy and well-behaved. A short walk in the park won't be enough for this breed. Be prepared to take them for a long walk, a brisk jog, a thorough workout, and then a game of fetch afterwards. It's important to remember that, because Mali has vocational training, it will be essential to provide him with a job to keep him happy. Whether it's as simple as carrying a backpack or pulling a cart, or as important as helping a disabled person, Mali will be happier with a job to do. Careful training and socialization with a handler will be essential to ensure that your Mali is a happy, well-behaved dog, whether as a companion or a working animal. |
Maintenance of the Mali-Dutchie
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| The Mali-Dutchie is a low-maintenance breed, with brushing only necessary to control shedding. Because they have a short coat, Mali-Dutchies don't require much effort to keep well groomed. Be sure to brush at least three times a week with a shedding tool and a regular pin brush, as this dog sheds a lot. This will help remove loose hair and dirt from the coat, keeping it shiny, while reducing the amount of hair that ends up on your floor and furniture. Bathing should only take place every two months or so, as Mali doesn't have a bad dog smell. Bear in mind that if your dog becomes particularly dirty, he'll need more frequent baths, but otherwise, bathing is a minimum requirement. Apart from brushing and bathing, the only other important grooming step is to make sure you trim your dog's nails every few weeks to ensure good paw health and reduce the amount of scratching that can occur if your dog jumps on objects or people. |
English (United Kingdom)