Has anyone ever used a Malinois as a trapline dog? If so a little thought on the subject would be appreciated.

What do they look like?

They are VERY smart, many of them used by Special Forces...a little leaner then a German Shepard, If your smarter then they are, it will probably work,

The 2 I personally know that are police k9s are wonderful at their jobs but are as hyper as a chihuahua on speed when not actively working

I’d be very wary of them on the trapline. The ones I have experience with are high drive and have no off switch! They primarily work by sight- none of ours are cross trained in detection but Czech shepherds are- and are as serious a weapon as a handgun.

I’ve seen them challenge handlers- it takes serious dominance for them to let you be the Alpha! Many people aren’t ready for it and the dog goes rogue. Last thing you want is that hanging over you- dog bites bystander and you are paying for a LONG time.

Look at Dead Coyotes jadg terriers or something like that. Ride in the passenger seat easily, or 4 wheeler, lots of grit, but not known as bite dogs towards people. Lots of other breeds good for working critters.

Malinois’s are suited to working people.

I think that's why Vern Dorn bred his dogs with border collie, smarten them up and make them a little more timid,

Can be very aggressive. Super fast and agile with that long tail. As said above they need to have a clear alpha and are loyal. Friend has one and I don’t let my kids around it. They have kids and it protects them. It won’t eat while he is gone, even for days. Another one in town fractured the skull of its owners newborn within hours of being home. Was a retired special forces dog of his. Cool animals but not something I’d ever have.

Know guys who run Mals on fur. Coons, foxes, 'yotes, etc. Their Mals' noses are on par with bird dogs. If you know what you're doing, Mals can be great dogs and do anything you want.

Jagds can be just as bitey, hard headed and aggressive (especially towards dogs) as Mals. Both breeds need very experienced, dominant, super physically active handlers.

German shepherds but with darker backs great drug dogs.

Have to look at the breeding between the breeds. Good dogs of speciific breeds are bred for different traits that are wanted. Have to start with a breed that has the GENERAL traits you are looking for

Darn sure would not be my pick. Unless you are a very experienced dog trainer I think you would be better off with another breed.
Great dogs, but you REALLY need to know dogs.

A blue heeler is a very smart dog and listens. Wants to please. I can walk through woods with mine at my side. Good at tracking. You can learn a lot by watching a dog at work.

Love my heeler

What are the traits of a trapline dog? My springer comes sometimes , beaver trapping, but I dont think he'd measure up against any coyotes. Fits in a canoe well but hes often the reason i bring a pistol.

If you have any experience with training a K9 a mally would be a great choice. I have worked with hundreds (yes hundreds) of them. They learn faster than any dog I have owned. I currently own one now. They are as stated...very high drive. After all they are a working dog. They dont work primarily on sight, they have a great nose. This is why it is the choice of LEOs for drug detection. It is also a very loyal K9. Someone stated that they are agressive. I disagree with that. I would say that they need to have exposure to people from a young age. Great dogs all in all. JMO Ken

My brother uses one everyday at work. He is great at biting bad guys and finding drugs. Charlie is a good boy.

My daughter has one.
She is a long distance runner and will rum 15 miles with the dog,come home and the dog runs across the road to play with the neighbors dog.
You cannot tire them out.
I thing it would be way to wild on a trapline.