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I am owned, heart and soul, by two wonderful Belgain Malinois, named Hanna and Shadow.

Hanna rules the house, and one small glance, or low growl toward Shadow will cause total subservience, with a bit of fearful slink, especially when choice food tidbits are involved.

But, when the crows come to call, or the hawks pass overhead, Shadow rules the yard. He will pin Hanna on the steps or near the door, telling her in spades, that her job is that of the house, the food, the care of the pups, and that he will protect her from all varmints who might threaten her, and his potential seed. (And, she screams in "terrified submission")

I love to watch the simple rules of dogs, left to their own instincts. We humans could learn so much... but, alas, we don't.

They are also very good for keeping the wierd itinerant missionary types, the summer lawn-mower job hunters, or whoever an old woman like me doesn't want to know that I am alone and, therefore, potentially vulnerable totally intimidated by the front door "Cujo" imitations. (By the way, I do have a rifle, but prefer not to have to use it!!!)

They let all strangers know, immediately, that they will have to go through teeth and claw to get to me, and I do not cut their claws.

They keep me safe from whatever nefarious ideas any "evil-doers" might be concocting. And, at night, when the thermostat has been turned down to 60 degrees to save on energy and the inevitable bills, they cuddle up to me, and keep me warm.

They truly are my best friends.

It's funny to watch four (now three, sadly) tiny dogs, the heaviest of whom weighs 12 lbs, trying to be wolves. They just have no concept of size, and if there's anything sweeter or cuter than a 12 lb dog stepping between two adult humans and threatening one of them with death for getting too near "my mommy" or "my daddy" , I can't imagine it.

Belgian Malinois can be intimidating and so full of energy. I trained with one. She was half the size of my Max but I wouldn't have wanted to defy her. She is a lovely dog. On Animal Planet I learned that the Belgian Malinois are used to guard the paintings at the Louvre in France. Can't think of a better recommendation. You are a lucky lady to have two.

BTW the program (Breed All About It on Animal Planet) asked how to tell the difference between a Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd. The answer is that the German Shepherd is the one siting still! LOL.