The Belgian Malinois is a medium-to-large breed of dog. The breed is also commonly referred to as the 'Belgian Shepherd, ' due to its similar appearance to the German Shepherd. The name 'Malinois' is derived from the French word 'Malines, ' which is the French name for the breed's city of origin. Traditionally the breed has been used as a working dog as has mainly been tasked with odor based detection (such as bomb detection narcotic detection) and in arson investigations. The breed is also commonly used as a general purposes guard dog, police dog and as a search and rescue dog. Due to the breed being developed for its physical traits, and ability for its sense of smell, the Belgian Malinois can vary greatly in appearance. However most pure breed Belgian Malinois will have a short coat, a medium-to-large muscular body and large pointed ears. It is most common for a Belgian Malinois's coat to come in the following colorations: black, fawn, mahogany and tan. The breed has a black mask-like marking over its muzzle in a similar fashion to the German Shepherd. The Belgian Malinois is known to be a highly intelligent, athletic, friendly, loyal and protective breed. They make for perfect family pets as they are very gentle and affectionate towards small children and other small animals. The breed is likewise very easy to train due to the fact that they are very reward orientated. Before purchasing any pet it is important to understand that as a pet owner you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your pet. It is important to try and learn as much as you can about the animal you are considering to keep as a pet to make sure that your lifestyle, household and financial status are suited to provide your pet with the best possible care. This guide has been designed to provide you with both precise and concise information about a Belgian Malinois's basic needs to help you provide your pet with the best quality care practices. This guide will give an in-depth explanation on training your Belgian Malinois, raising your Belgian Malinois from a puppy, grooming, health care and everything in between! "The Belgian Malinois: A Complete and Comprehensive Beginners Guide to: Buying, Owning, Health, Grooming, Training, Obedience, Understanding and Caring for Your Belgian Malinois," by Michael Stonewood is the perfect purchase or gift for a first time Belgian Malinois owner. This guide includes sections on caring for a puppy, breeding, health care, training, the basic