![READY FOR ACTION: A Belgian Malinois from NSG's K9 unit READY FOR ACTION: A Belgian Malinois from NSG's K9 unit](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-102051737,width-600,resizemode-4/102051737.jpg)
READY FOR ACTION: A Belgian Malinois from NSG’s K9 unit
BELGIAN MALINOIS ARE MOST POPULAR IN K9 SQUADS
In India, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was among the first forces to introduce the breed. A CRPF agent tells us: “Currently, 90% of CRPF dogs are Belgian Malinois. Over the past 9-10 years, approximately 250 IEDs have been detected by these dogs. They can run 20-30 km at a stretch and have the ability to work under pressure without being sidetracked by any distractions. At the CRPF, the primary mission of these dogs is to search for explosives, to carry out searches and patrols. »
Once an obvious choice, German Shepherds aren’t even recruited by the CRPF anymore. A CRPF officer says, “We haven’t purchased any German Shepherds in the past 10 years. The ones we have are our old dogs. For pilot projects we have also included Indian dog breeds, but for operations only Belgian Malinois are recruited. However, this is not the same for other forces such as the Border Security Force (OSB) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which recruit races according to the nature of the functions.
![A Belgian Malinois trains with his handler at the Remount Veterinary Corps Center in Meerut A Belgian Malinois trains with his handler at the Remount Veterinary Corps Center in Meerut](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-102051761,width-600,resizemode-4/102051761.jpg)
A Belgian Malinois trains with his handler at the Remount Veterinary Corps Center in Meerut
K9 INDIAN UNIT HEROES
● In 2022, two-year-old Axel was posthumously awarded the bravery award called MentionIn-Despatches for an anti-terrorist operation.
● In 2016, the NS-G recommended a Sena medal for Rocket – for his courage during an operation in Pathankot. Although the dog suffered injuries and burns, he returned inside to confirm the presence of terrorists.
WHY THE BELGIAN MALINOIS IS CHOSEN OVER OTHER BREEDS
Over the years, armed forces around the world have increased the number of Belgian Malinois in their forces. Indian forces officers say that these dogs are chosen for, among other things, their ability to perform their tasks perfectly, their agility and their ability to parachute from an airplane, even without their trainers. Belgian Malinois can reach speeds of up to 40 miles (approximately) per hour and their bite applies at least 70 pounds of pressure.
An army spokesperson said in a statement: “Belgian Malinois possess various inherent abilities such as strength, endurance, high trainability and the ability to work in a wide range of environmental temperatures which make it an appropriate choice.
to become an MWD (Military Working Dog). They were first deployed in 1999, but due to their aggressive nature they were phased out. . . but they were reintroduced into the Indian Army in 2019.”
When Belgian Malinois were inducted the National Security Guard (NSG) in 2014, an officer working in the NSG’s Special K9 Squad reportedly said the same year: “Special forces around the world have realized the importance of these dogs in deadly terrorist operations and, therefore, the force also inducted nearly a dozen
these fighting dogs. »
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WHAT MAKES THEM PERFECT MILITARY DOGS
● Developed sense of smell
● Adaptability to almost all climatic conditions
● Performs its tasks perfectly
● Stamina
● Speed
● Strength
●Courage
● Intelligence
HOW THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED
Earlier this year, scientists from Finland’s University of Helsinki studied more than 1,000 dogs from 13 different breeds to assess their skills in 10 tasks rated by experts who created the smartDOG test battery.
“Belgian Malinois performed very well in many cognitive tasks, performing very well in the majority of tests,” said Dr. Katriina Tiira, study author, owner and CEO of smartDOG. If intelligence is ranked overall on these three traits, with 13 points for first place and 1 point for last place, then the Malinois comes first with 35 points out of a maximum of 39.
Source: The Telegraph
THE VALORITY OF BELGIAN MALINOIS
Over the past decade, Belgian Malinois have become a sought-after dog breed in armed forces around the world, following their role in operations to kill Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Mali, a Belgian Malinois was awarded the Dickin Medal, Britain’s highest honor for animal bravery, for saving lives on a mission as British and Afghan forces were deployed to secure a building in Kabul, where they were hiding armed insurgents.
Belgian Malinois helped detect Taliban militants during a military mission carried out by Afghan and British special forces in Afghanistan in 2012.
“ONLY REWARDS, NO PUNISHMENT”
At the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) training center in Panchkula, a notice board reads: “Train before you try to train a dog. “Two major qualities of the breed are forming a strong bond with their masters and loving rewards. Therefore, the ITBP’s approach to training Belgian Malinois is “only rewards, no punishment”. If a dog behaves well, he gets a reward, and if he doesn’t, the reward is taken away. Even if the dog understands the message, he is not punished for not having completed his task. The ITBP agents told us that the Belgian Malinois dog considers its handler the best dog and that the handler treats the dog like a human being.
A BSF officer describes the Belgian Malinois as a “lonely dog”, specifying: “Compared to dogs of Indian breed, Belgian Malinois work more closely with their masters. According to the American Kennel Club, “The intelligent, confident, and versatile Belgian Malinois is a world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his human partner.” »
DOG LOVERS’ DREAM: WHEN 488 GOLDEN RETRIEVERS GATHERED IN SCOTLAND
Every five years or so, Golden Retrievers travel to Guisachan, Scotland with their owners to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the breed. With 488 Goldies present, the 2023 edition, held between July 10 and 14, was the largest ever.