Belgian Malinois have been working with the New York City police force since as early as 1908, known for their agility and focus.
Tracking data suggests that Belgian Malinois is the most active dog breed in America, with some individuals staying active for over five and a half hours per day.
Originally bred for herding, the Malinois was skilled at herding sheep and protecting them from predators.
The breed is named after the Belgian city of Malines, where dedicated breeders began promoting these dogs in the late 19th century.
Belgian Malinois were used to combat tiger poachers in India, where they were trained to sniff out illegal tiger body parts.
Many Malinois end up being rehomed because owners underestimate their energy and exercise needs.
Belgian Malinois have become popular in pop culture, appearing in movies like John Wick and owned by celebrities like Halle Berry.
In 2016, New York recognized working dogs as their official state dogs, specifically mentioning the Belgian Malinois for its service.
Belgian Malinois served in both World War I and World War II, initially as messenger dogs and later as guard dogs.
A Belgian Malinois named Cairo played a crucial role in the mission to take down Osama bin Laden.
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