I’m a dog expert and there’s a breed that should be added to the ban list – they’re always biting everything
THERE are currently four dog breeds banned in the UK – Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
And now an obedience expert has revealed the fifth dog that he thinks should be added to the list.
Jacob Morgan, founder and trainer of the Yorkshire Canine Academy, even owns one of the breed.
But his experience with the breed with a “need to bite things” has brought him to the conclusion that they shouldn’t be household pets in the UK.
The breed is Belgian Malinois.
Although highly intelligent and glamorised in a number of films, they have “genetics that make them need to chase and bite things”.
This puts children and adults in the home at risk.
“I can confidently say the Belgian Malinois is not a family pet,” Morgan told Wales Online.
“And especially if you have a full time job, you don’t have time for this breed.
“It takes thousands of hours of training to make a Belgian Malinois a ‘regular dog’.
“So many are being bred to have a ‘nervy edge’, which is being mistaken for a willingness to protect.”
The breed has strong herding and guarding instincts with a high prey drive.
These tendencies can cause them to become anxious and “lash out at their owners” without the proper training and simulation.
Morgan anticipates dodgy breeders will push the breed onto the UK’s ban list.
“It’s a perfect storm happening right now and I’m sure it won’t be long until the breed is banned altogether,” he said.
“Through no fault of their own, it will be the fault of the thoughtless breeders and those owners who haven’t done their research properly.
“There are so many people breeding for profit over health and the right personality traits.”
Google trends shows there’s been a 50% increase in online interest for Belgian Malinois puppies over the last year.
The breed can grow to around 30kg and have a life expectancy of 14 to 16 years.
Similarly, dog behaviourist Will Atherton affirmed that the breed is not a good choice for those wanting a peaceful family life.