On June 26, Warner Bros/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures will release 'Max,' a coming-of-age story based on true events about a young teen dealing with the loss of his brother, a United States Marine killed in action on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan. Surviving the attack that killed his handler and now retired is Max, a heroic Belgian Malinois and military dog who served his country alongside the soldier. Max is taken in by the teen's family who are faced with the difficulty of helping the traumatized dog.
Without taking away from the 'Hero' story and the amazing work done by our military men, women and dogs, we know that many will immediately want to own a dog like Max. In an effort to protect the good name of the Belgian Malinois breed, Bark Busters, the Worlds Largest In-Home dog training company, wants to highlight the type of care and training this breed requires.
"Hollywood's popularization of particular breeds has in the past caused a rush on the breed depicted in the movie ... it was very evident following the success of movies like '101 Dalmatians' for example," said Sylvia Wilson, co-founder of Bark Busters. She added: "Overbreeding of that breed created by the demand of the adorable dogs the public sees on the big screen, can cause people to impulse buy a puppy without thinking of the long-term ramifications of owning a dog. When the cuteness factor wears off, when people realize the commitment it takes to care for a dog day-to-day, or when their dog doesn't act like the dog they saw in the movie, too often the outcome is not a good one, not always the happy Hollywood ending".
And Wilson is right. In fact, that animal shelters in California have been overrun with Chihuahuas since 2009 following the release of box office hits 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' and 'Legally Blonde' clearly shows why she has concerns.
Due to their high drive and motivation to 'work,' the Belgian Malinois is the dog most often sought out for police and military K9 duties, as depicted in this film. Bark Busters co-Founder Danny Wilson said: "Max is sure to be a tear-jerker and will undoubtedly cause the dog-loving public to fall head-over-heels for this extraordinary breed. However, while the Belgian Malinois is a beautiful, majestic dog, it is not necessarily the ideal breed for a novice dog owner or inexperienced handlers --this breed can be high energy and very intense."
As described by the Westminster Kennel Club, the Belgian Malinois is "legendary for its stamina and work ethic, allowing it to excel at whatever job it is given, whether herding, police and detection work, search and rescue, or competition in performance events. As the demand for national vigilance has increased, the Malinois has emerged as a standout in our homeland security efforts. Malinois are intelligent, extraordinarily active dogs. You should research carefully before you own one to ensure it is the right dog for you and your lifestyle." The American Belgian Malinois Club calls the breed "a marvelous companion and lifelong partner. But the Malinois is NOT for everyone." Danny Wilson added that "Without an owner's commitment to provide the dog with the exercise, mental stimulation and Leadership a Belgian Malinois requires, these dogs could suffer the same fate as other breeds highlighted in previous Hollywood blockbusters --homeless in shelters and at rescues --or worse."
More information about Belgian Malinois dogs can be found at The American Belgian Malinois Club Home Page which will also list only the most qualified breeders. You can learn more about choosing the right breed for your family or, locate a trainer to assist you with behavior problems for any breed of dog by contacting your local Bark Busters dog behavior therapist at www.BarkBusters.com
About Bark Busters
About Bark Busters Bark Busters' mission is to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Founded in Australia in 1989, the company is the largest of its kind, has been in the U.S. since 2000, and now has 170 franchised offices in 40 states and more than 350 offices in eight countries. More than 1 million dogs have been trained by Bark Busters worldwide, with certified trainers using simple, natural and dog-friendly training methods focused on developing a positive relationship between owner and dog to establish a lasting, emotional bond based on respect and trust. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers guaranteed lifetime support. For more information, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275), visit www.BarkBusters.com or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter. For Bark Busters' quiz on how to rate a dog's behavior, please visit www.BarkBusters.com