Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinary care of the Belgian Malinois military working dog.
- Journal:
- Military medicine
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Jennings, P B
- Affiliation:
- Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
The Belgian Malinois dog has been part of the military working dog program since 1984, with all dogs being brought in from Europe. These dogs generally handle the tough training well, but they can face some health issues due to being kept in kennels. Common problems include dental injuries, tail injuries, skin conditions, and difficulty gaining weight. Additionally, this breed is prone to epilepsy and can suffer from a serious stomach condition called gastric dilatation/volvulus, as well as joint issues like elbow and hip dysplasia. Overall, while the breed is well-suited for military work, they do have specific health concerns that need attention.
Abstract
The Belgian Malinois dog was introduced into the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program in 1984. All dogs are purchased in Europe and have adapted well to the rigorous training requirements of the program. Most veterinary problems seen in this breed are related to kennel confinement and include traumatic dental disease, tail lesions, a variety of dermatologic conditions, and an inability to gain weight. Epilepsy is a breed problem and has been seen in this population, as has gastric dilatation/volvulus. Both elbow and hip dysplasia exist in the Malinois breed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1900116/