Mikey - 4 year old Malinois Belgian Shepherd in South Wales

Mikey is a 4 year old Malinois Belgian Shepherd and is currently on foster in New Tredegar.

The Mikey Fact File

Dog status: Good but would need careful introduction
Cat status: Not suitable to be rehomed with cats
Child status: Good but due to food obsession would prefer slightly older children.
Home alone: Not suitable for full time workers at present.
Basic training: Very good



Mikey was grossly underweight and in bad condition when he came into Hope but he has gained weight with a decent food and his condition has improved greatly. However this has resulted in Mikey being food obsessed! He will pace and search for food and will remove anything that has been in contact with food and will destroy containers to get to the contents. As his condition has improved his behaviour is less manic but he still searches. He will settle and isn’t distressed about being left but will use this time to investigate so we feel at present Mikey would need a home with someone present most of the time and able and willing to work through this. Mikey does not like being confined in small areas and has found it difficult to settle overnight in a separate room to his fosterer. He will settle in the bedroom though on his own bed and has made no attempt to get on the furniture or bed.

Mikey is in foster with a smaller terrier and medium crossbreed and settled with both well. He is not a playful interactive dog with the resident dogs but does seem to like their company and is happier with them around so we feel he may be best rehomed with canine company. He has been fine with dogs he has met out and about though hasn’t mixed with too many dogs offlead. His play style when he does play is very shepherd like. Mikey will not be rehomed with cats or small furries.

Mikey is sociable with adults and children and has met children aged 5 and above. He could be rehomed with children but the new owners need to be aware that he is a large dog and that his food obsession could be a problem with younger children. He has not shown any possessive behaviour with people and has been great with kennel and veterinary staff.

Mikey has previously had a good level of basic training and walks beautifully on the lead and sits and recalls nicely in a secure field. He travels perfectly in the car and is if anything happiest when travelling. He is fully housetrained and while he hasn’t shown a tendency to jump would need a secure garden.

Mikey will need a patient home that will be sympathetic to his ‘quirks’. He has a lovely nature and is very gentle despite his size. He would probably be happiest rehomed with another dog for company, because although he doesn’t play a great deal with the other dogs in the house he is more relaxed when they are around. He would probably be happy as an only dog if there was sufficient human company.

All Hope Rescue dogs areAll Hope Rescue dogs are neutered, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated and microchipped prior to rehoming. A homecheck will be required, and you will need to come and meet the dog with your own dogs and family. Hope Rescue rehomes throughout the UK.

Aww bless him, hope he finds a forever home soon

Mikey has an underground fan club of Malinois lovers all trying to find him a good home...

Go on Sue - you know you want to

Wish I could, but Rue is still living with my sister because my elderly mother wouldn't alllow her here, and now mother's health issues have taken over my life.
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What's stopping you taking him then, Azz....?

I don't think I'm ready for another dog yet tbh

Mikey is a 5 year old Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) and is currently on foster in New Tredegar.

The Mikey Fact File

Dog status: Could live with other dogs
Cat status: Not suitable to be rehomed with cats
Child status: Good but older dog savvy children
Home alone: Not suitable for full time workers at present.
Basic training: Very good



When Mikey first came into Hope he was grossly underweight and in a very poor condition. Over the last few months he has put on over 10kg of weight and has blossomed in his foster home. He has changed from a very worried, food obsessed dog into a much more relaxed, playful (food obsessed) character with a fantastic sense of humour.

Mikey's fosterer has done a lot of work with him around food and he is now relaxed enough to lie in the kitchen while food is being prepared and can also settle while food is being eaten. He will still however take the opportunity to help himself if he is left unsupervised with food available. Despite his poor start Mikey has shown no signs of guarding behaviour around food either with dogs or people and takes treats very gently.

When Mikey is left alone he will take the opportunity to search for food and this is something that a new owner will need to take account of. He can be left for approximately an hour with a selection of food filled activity toys to occupy him. He doesn't appear to be distressed at being left for longer but once he has emptied his food toys he will go in search of other sources of food. Because of this he will not be suitable for homing with full time workers.

When Mikey first came into foster he was worried about being shut in confined spaces. Again, with careful work, this has started to change and he will often choose to settle in a crate. He is in the process of being trained to settle in a shut crate (to minimise his opportunities to scavenge) and he will happily settle with a food toy in a crate. At night he prefers to sleep in the fosterer's bedroom on his own bed.



Mikey is in foster with a small terrier and a medium sized cross breed. He enjoys their company and will happily play with them and is happy to be bossed around by the smallest dog! We feel that Mikey would be best homed with another dog for company but would cope as an only dog if there was sufficient human company.

Outside Mikey can be vocal with some dogs and his play is very Shepherd like. Because of this he is predominantly walked on lead (or on a harness and flexi or long line). He is used to wearing a headcollar. He has had off lead play in secure areas with dogs that he has been introduced to and loves nothing more than the chance to run and play chase. Mikey will not be rehomed with cats or small furries.

Mikey has previously had a good level of basic training and walks beautifully on the lead and sits and recalls nicely in a secure field. He travels perfectly in the car and is if anything happiest when travelling. He is fully housetrained and while he hasn’t shown a tendency to jump would need a secure garden.
Mikey is sociable with adults and children and has met children aged 5 and above. He could be rehomed with children but the new owners need to be aware that he is a large dog and that his food obsession could be a problem with younger children. He has not shown any possessive behaviour with people and has been great with kennel and veterinary staff.



All Hope Rescue dogs are neutered, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated and microchipped prior to rehoming. A homecheck will be required, and you will need to come and meet the dog with your own dogs and family. We have a suggested minimum donation of £160.