The Princess Buttercup
First, let me make it clear that she came to me with that name. I would never, ever name a dog “Buttercup”. Not even one of those fluffy little lap dogs. However, it is lovely for extrapolating nicknames. She is known by, and usually answers to the following: Buttercup, Butter, Butterdog, Butterball, Butterboo, Butterbean, Bean, Bear, BearDog, Boo, BooBear, and sometimes Cupletts. And I suppose it reduces the freakout factor for those who automatically assume Malinois are uncontrollable, aggressive, bite-happy, tough-guy dogs.
Buttercup is a sweet 7 year-old girl who is likely from AKC show lines. Her height is about 23 inches, and last weighed in at 53 pounds. She’s a rehome from the Ocala, Florida area, where she had taken an unhealthy (for the goats) interest in the co-resident herd. Before that she was turned in to a shelter for chasing horses. But really, what makes people think they can keep untrained dogs out around livestock? Instinct is impressive, but it’s not everything.
As far as she is concerned, tummy rubs are The. Best. Thing. EVAH! If a likely victim is sitting on the couch she will sidle up, look coyly over her shoulder, and FOOMP! land on her back with a huge grin on her face. You can almost hear her say, “rub ma bel-LAY!”
Unfortunately, she also fits the “neurotic Belgian” stereotype fairly well. Part of it is my fault. I didn’t know Malinois, or even dogs in general, very well when I got her five years ago, and I tended to stress over her. And she had issues to begin with - I’m guessing three homes and a stint at the shelter before you’re two years old don’t encourage confidence. Plus she’s naturally a bit of a control freak. Hmmm . . . female herding dog, who coulda guessed?