揭秘：世界上最聪明的狗狗品种并非边牧，而是比利时马犬！

19世纪末，许多不同类型的牧羊犬帮助比利时和荷兰地区的农民和牧羊人驱赶羊群。1891年，马犬首次在梅赫伦市周边地区繁殖。1898年，短毛马犬改良俱乐部成立，并开始对其梦寐以求的特征进行筛选。短毛牧羊犬的颜色只是事后才想到的。另一方面，决定性的因素是外观和能力的结合：体格健壮、训练有素、精力充沛、嗅觉灵敏的护卫犬和服务犬。

In the late 19th century, many sheepdogs of various types helped farmers and shepherds drive their flocks in Belgium and the Netherlands region. Malinois Sheepdogs were first bred in the district around the city of Mechelen in 1891. In 1898, the Malinois Club for the Improvement of the Shorthaired Sheepdog was founded and began selecting for the coveted traits. The colour of the shorthaired shepherd was an afterthought. On the other hand, what was decisive was the combination of appearance and capability: well-built and well-trained, spirited guard/defence and service dogs with an excellent sense of smell.

长期以来，比利时和国外的警察部队一直用德国牧羊犬进行追踪、安全巡逻和执行与毒品有关的任务，但近十年来，马犬已逐渐取代德牧，成为全球第一警犬。相当多的德牧患有髋关节和背部疾病，而马犬则更加聪明、勇敢和柔顺，不会因为高强度的繁殖配种而患上典型的疾病。马犬也是比利时联邦警察警犬支援处主要使用的犬种，它还吸引了德国警察部队和美国特种部队的注意。

在布鲁塞尔大市中心的马犬与警察

Malinois and policemen in Brussels

你知道吗？2011年，一只马犬被宣布为美国海豹突击队的大英雄，因为它帮忙抓到了本拉登。

你在中国或比利时见过马犬吗？可以把它们的照片发给我们！

For a long time, police forces in Belgium and abroad used the German Shepherd dog for tracking purposes, security patrols, and drug-related assignments, but for ten years now, the Malinois Sheepdog has been steadily overtaking it as the number one police dog worldwide. Quite a few German Shepherd dogs suffer from hip and back problems, while Malinois are much more intelligent, courageous, and supple and do not suffer from the typical ailments that are the result of intensive breeding. The Malinois is also the breed that is mainly used by the Dog Support Service of the Belgian Federal Police, and it is also attracting the attention of police forces in Germany and the American Special Forces.

By the way, a Malinois was declared the big hero of the US Navy Seals in 2011, for he helped capture Osama Bin Laden.

Have you seen a Malinois in China or in Belgium? Can you send us a picture of them?