Malinois Diversity is a project by a dedicated group of Belgian enthusiasts, which is dedicated to researching and promoting health from various perspectives. In our interview, Astrid shares her insights and experiences on the topic of dog breeding. 

K9andSports: What led you to choose dog breeding?

Astrid: The interest in dog breeding had been with me for a long time, but professionally, I lacked the time and opportunity to pursue this field. Later on, I met my current partner. He and his family were already involved in breeding and had all the necessary facilities. They had already registered a kennel and had several years of experience in breeding. When the opportunity arose, we acquired a female dog, and I also began actively participating in the breeding process.

K9andSports: What is the name of the kennel?

Astrid: Our kennel is called "des guerriers d´Hades".

K9andSports: In your opinion, what are the necessary requirements for a dog to be suitable for breeding?

Astrid: A dog should fulfill all the relevant health tests for its breed before being allowed to breed. One issue here is that new tests are regularly developed, but their incorporation into breeding regulations often takes a long time. This is where the breeder is responsible for staying informed about all relevant health conditions.

It happens that years pass without a genetic or health test becoming mandatory, even if it's already available, because requests for changes to the breeding regulations need to be submitted. For example, this year at the DMC Annual General Meeting 2024, no application was made for the Ca1 gene test, so it will not be mandatory. This defect triggers ataxia in Malinois puppies.

While the transition vertebra in the lumbar region has been evaluated for some years now, there is still no regulation regarding its use in breeding from the associations, even though heritability is assumed. The question arises whether one must breed with a dog with a LÜW3 (lumbar transition vertebra level 3) just because it is not prohibited.

This can be extrapolated to eye, heart, and autoimmune diseases, as well as epilepsy.

K9andSports: What does "carrier" mean in a genetic test?

Astrid: All known genetic defects in Malinois are inherited recessively. This means that the dog only becomes ill if it inherits two defective alleles. This can be prevented by breeding only "clear x clear" or "carrier x clear." Carrier means that a dog carries one defective allele but also one healthy allele, and thus is not affected by the disease itself. However, carriers should not be excluded from breeding altogether to avoid unnecessarily reducing the gene pool.

K9andSports: How can breeders ensure they cover all relevant genetic tests, especially if the breeding regulations may not be up to date?

Astrid: There is the option to directly inquire with the laboratory to ensure all relevant genetic tests for the respective breed are covered or if additional tests are recommended. Regarding the Belgian Shepherd and soon also the German and Dutch Shepherd, information can also be found on our project website (www.belgian-shepherd.de), where we publish all relevant information.

K9andSports: Besides health, what other aspects do you consider relevant for dog breeding?

Astrid: The fundamental temperament of the dog is a significant factor. Additionally, the breeder's personal breeding goals play a crucial role.

K9andSports: Do you believe there are temperament traits that should be avoided in dog breeding?

Astrid: Dogs that are hyper-aggressive or extremely fearful should be avoided. In general, anything that significantly impairs daily life with an animal. A dog that reacts blindly to everything also does not belong in breeding.

K9andSports: What about noise sensitivity, and what about environmental behavior?

Astrid: Sensitivity to gunfire or noises would be another factor I would consider in selection, as it is hereditary. In cases of hyperanxiety or hyper-aggression, environmental behavior always plays a role as well. A very stable dog will not be particularly frightened if there's a loud noise, or they will quickly recover from a fright. In contrast, a hyper-anxious dog may not calm down for a longer period.

K9andSports: We're essentially talking about the heritability of temperament traits. Does it make sense for a breed association to assess temperament traits?

Astrid: For me as a breeder, it makes sense to be selective. I don't just choose any dog for breeding; my standards are high and must be met. However, my personal breeding goals may not necessarily align with those of others. In my opinion, breeders should be given the freedom to make their own decisions and pursue their own breeding goals. This means, yes, assessing, but excluding as few dogs from breeding as possible.

K9andSports: And how can temperament traits be effectively assessed?

Astrid: I really don't consider myself an expert in this area who can make a definitive statement about it. What I do know is that temperament traits are influenced not only by genetics but primarily shaped by environmental influences. Furthermore, I know dogs that have shown to be gunshot proof during tests, but struggle through New Year's Eve only with medication. All of this makes it difficult to assess a dog accurately on a single day, during an examination such as a breed survey or temperament test—and it ultimately doesn't indicate what the dog will pass on to its offspring. This doesn't mean I'm against assessments. But in the end, it's just one impression among many that a breeder should gather about a breeding dog. The best insight comes from having the opportunity to experience the dog in everyday life and training, and ideally also getting to know its offspring. However, since this is not always guaranteed, an assessment within the breed association is the next best solution.

K9andSports: It is occasionally claimed that the Malinois, in general, has deteriorated. Is this something you can confirm, or is it just talk for you, something that has "always been"?

Astrid: I still see good Malinois. It's not like that. However, I believe that the current IGP-PO (Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungs-Ordnung) as a basis for selection tends to lead to a softer, more reactive type of dog. It makes work in IGP easier when the dog is easily motivated with few stimuli, especially when it comes to obedience.

K9andSports: Is this different for you in Belgian Ring or French Ring?

Astrid: Each program selects different dogs, and each type of ring has a different focus.

Belgium: In Belgium, there are different ring programs: Belgium Ring of St. Hubert (FCI member), NVBK Ring, and the Ring of the Kennel Club (which today plays hardly any role).

All ring programs in Belgium have in common that the full protection suit has bite zones into which the dog should bite. There is a strong emphasis on grip behavior, and the challenge involves a lot of environmental distraction and accessories. The handler is allowed many aids, and the dog has quite a bit of freedom in these programs. The focus is on completing the task and not just on obedience.

France: In France, there are two national ring programs, Ring and Campagne. Ring takes place in the dog training field, while Campagne is held in the woods and fields and includes tasks such as retrieving from water.

In French Ring, the dog is allowed/expected to bite anywhere on the costume (full protection suit). The focus of the decoy is to deny the dog the bite and, if the dog bites, to discourage it through pressure. The decoy's suit is as thin as possible to allow for maximum mobility, meaning the dog is given little opportunity to make or improve its grip. Thus, an evaluation of grip behavior is not possible here. There is a great emphasis on the dog releasing the bite quickly.

K9andSports: For example, in IGP, the stick strike has been lost. Do you believe this has an impact on the selection of dogs? Would it be better for the working dog to maintain the stick strike?

Astrid: Yes, in my opinion, it would be better to maintain the stick strike. I see the interaction with the decoy as a physical confrontation that is important. Without pressure from the decoy, I cannot determine if a dog is ready for or enjoys engaging in physical confrontation. Though "pressure" is the wrong term for it in my opinion. (My) breeding goal is for the dog not to perceive stick strikes as pressure but as part of an engagement that brings them joy. 

K9andSports: You mentioned that the IGP-PO leads to a softer or more handler-oriented dog. In your opinion, is the current selection sufficient? Do you see a need for additional breeding selections by breed associations, or what is your opinion on this?

Astrid: To promote a variety of breeders within an association, it's important to consider their individual needs. Even if a dog doesn't appeal to me personally and I wouldn't use it for breeding, that doesn't mean it would harm the breed if someone else, like Lieschen Müller, were to use that dog for breeding.

The breeder should set high standards for their personal breeding goals. However, the breed association should limit restrictions as much as possible.

If someone wants to breed a pleasant family dog that is still athletic, I wouldn't say that just because the dog isn't outstanding in working dog sports, it shouldn't be used for breeding.

As described above, however, it doesn't mean that breeders shouldn't have the opportunity to present their dogs outside of sport trials, as long as this doesn't lead to unnecessary exclusion from breeding.
A dog that is healthy, meets the breed standard, and doesn't have major temperament flaws should also have the opportunity to enter breeding.

Astrid Hübner is the founder of Malinois Diversity. Since 1999, she has been deeply involved with the Malinois breed. Her passion has led her from IPO and FH to Mondioring and French Ring. Since 2014, she has been living in France with her husband, children, and a pack of Malinois. There, she runs her breeding program under the name "Elevage des guerriers d´Hades".