1 / 9Also referred to as Military Maligators and ‘fur missiles’, the ferocious Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-wah) are all set to replace Labradors in India’s elite counterterrorism unit, the National Security Guard (NSG). Labradors are currently used for sniffing and tracking, and German Shepherds for attacking. The Malinois dogs are now being trained for all three tasks — sniff, track and attack. A look at why the formidable Belgian Malinois is the new canine of choice for NSG. (Image: Shutterstock)
2 / 9Belgian Malinois vital stats | Boasting a height ranging from 22 to 26 inches and a weight of 18 to 36 kilograms, Malinois dogs can live up to 14-16 years. This canine is characterised by a short, smooth double coat in colors such as fawn, mahogany, red, red sable, or fawn sable, often accompanied by a black mask. (Image: Shutterstock)
3 / 9Belgian Malinois olfactory cells | Olfactory cells, which are sensory neurons dedicated to the sense of smell, play a crucial role in detecting odors. Malinois dogs, in particular, possess an impressive 225 million olfactory cells, surpassing the average canine range of 150-300 million. In contrast, humans have a considerably lower count of 5-10 million olfactory cells. (Image: Shutterstock)
4 / 9Belgian Malinois strength | Capable of operating independently, the Malinois exerts a formidable 70 pounds of biting force, making escape nearly impossible for any suspect. The canine can be dropped onto a landing site, explore for safe paths, mark the locations of explosives, and communicate that information back to its handler while avoiding being blown to pieces. (Image: Shutterstock)
5 / 9Belgian Malinois origin | Originating in the 1800s near Malines in northwestern Belgium, this canine traces its lineage back to the common herding dog shared with breeds like the Bouvier des Ardennes, Dutch Shepherd, and German Shepherd. Belonging to the group of Belgian herding dogs, it is one of four closely related breeds, which also include the Tervuren, Groenendael, and Laekenois. (Image: Shutterstock)
6 / 9Developed by breeders looking to create a strong herding dog and protector with a steadfast work ethic, the breed first arrived in the US in the early 1900s, but their popularity declined after World War II. However, it regained popularity in the 1960s after recognition from American Kennel Club in 1959. (Image: Shutterstock)
7 / 9Belgian Malinois skill set | The smart, confident, and versatile Belgian Malinois is a world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his human partner. Intelligent and easily trained, they exude confidence and are exceptional watch and guard dogs. Agile, active and energetic, they excel at all kinds of training. Their petite structure makes them ideal for fast-roping and parachuting out of an aircraft. They are used for detection of odours that help locate explosives, accelerants (for arson investigation), and also help in detecting narcotics, tracking humans, and in search-and-rescue missions. (Image: Shutterstock)
8 / 9Belgian Malinois worldwide | They are regularly used by special forces in the United States, Israel, Australia and UK, and many other countries. A Belgian Malinois was used by the US Navy Seals in the 2011 operation that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. During a Delta Force raid in Syria, a Belgian Malinois chased down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi through a dark tunnel in the city of Idlib. While in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the breed has been trained by the Israeli military to detect Hamas militants in Gaza’s underground tunnels, and to track and attack them. (Image: Shutterstock)
9 / 9Belgian Malinois in India | The NSG has recently integrated 14 Belgian Malinois into its canine unit, taking over from the retiring squads of Labradors and Cocker Spaniels. Widely utilised by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in anti-terror and anti-Naxal operations, these exceptional canines are also prevalent in other central armed police forces. A staggering 90% of CRPF's canine force comprises Belgian Malinois, credited with uncovering over 250 IEDs in the last decade. In July 2022, a two-year old Belgian Malinois named Axel made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists in Kashmir’s Baramulla district. (Image: Shutterstock)
