The Belgian shepherd that has short tawny fur has been called Belgian shepherd dog of Mechlin for so long. This is the north western region of Belgium, called Brabant. The exact name of the town is Mechelen in Flemish, and it is located near Antwerp. The breed "Ter Heide" is the land of the Malinois. This dog has the average size of a wolf, he has very short fur, and his color is fawn brindle. He was used in farming businesses as a guard for the farm and the herds. This is an intelligent dog. He has a pronounced instinct and a strong temperament. The moment he gets in your home, you have to fix rules and give him a sophisticated education. You should register him in the puppy school of the canine club of your region when he is 3 months old. The Malinois imposed himself in Belgium over the other breeds with long fur: the short fur breed has a lot of qualities, and can be used in different roles. Today, the beauty qualities are important and the long fur is more frequently found in families whereas the short fur is often a professional. The Malinois has exceptional qualities as a professional dog. But we can't say that there are breeds dedicated for work and others for family. The professional dogs come from a a draconian selection after individual tests. But genetically speaking, we won't necessarily have a professional dog when we cross selected dog breeds together. But this will ensure the persistence of the breed's features. It is completely wrong to sell a dog for high prices saying that he is a professional dog because this designation is only valid after the results of the selection tests. It is easier for a short fur dog to do some professional tasks. However, compared to the Groenendael and the Tervuren, the Malinois learns defending and guarding quicker because he was originally dedicated to guarding herds and farm, and that's why the selection of the aggressive dogs had started early on. If he is socialized early enough, if he gets enough walks and is well educated, he can be an excellent family dog. However, he has character, and he needs a calm and patient master.