Ruidoso MalinoisReviews of ruidosomalinois.com

Irene and her dogs are monsters. Terrible training despite favorable reviews. Invested so much money for dog to attack and bite me and my children. Will be taking legal action especially now since word on the street is that this lady is NOTORIOUS for suing other poor, innocent people. Very nasty woman.

Ruidoso Malinois We recently purchased a Belgium Melinois from “Ruidoso Melinois” located in Ruidoso, NM, Irene Howcroft owner. Our experience was very rewarding because of Irene’s professionalism and personal involvement. We were able to buy a new family member Rocco. We wanted a melinois who would be a protection dog and at the same time fit in our family and our three small terriers. Irene’s handlers who trained Rocco were absolutely the best. After arriving at handlers’ school, they worked with my husband and me to teach us how to handle Rocco, our protection dog. They guided us with friendly recommendations and encouragement. Trainers took their time to answer all our questions and definitely went out of their way to help us establish a solid bond with Rocco before the departure. The transition of Rocco from kennel dog to family dog took place during our 7 days in New Mexico. We came back to our home in Missouri and Rocco has become a valued family member and provides us with constant love and protection blanket. He is great with the little dogs, very playful and high energy dog that is always on high alert doing his main job of protecting our family. The whole experience has been outstanding. Irene continues to help us with all questions concerning Rocco. We highly recommend Ruidoso Malinois and Irene’s Howcroft

I wanted a blend of protection-companion. I thought my list of desires from a dog was impossible to achieve – sweet yet ready for action, silly yet compliant, a hard worker with an off-switch. Most people think these traits in a Mal are mutually exclusive. Irene, I want this to be both a thank you to you and your amazing trainers as well as a testament to others who might be considering your services to help them understand, from a customer, what they can expect. Really, I just want to brag openly about Jerry, because Jerry is literally the bestest boy in the world. . When we first met, I was clear that I was concerned that a highly trained protection dog would be a bit robotic and lacking for personality. You assured me that this was not the case with proper training, and Jerry is proof positive of that. He is a complete goofball around the house and is known by name by all of the 200 or so people who live in my building. My first day in the building, I met a Retired DEVGRU operator who ran over to tell me how a Mal that was deployed with his unit had saved six of his men by identifying a machine gun nest in Afghanistan. As the gentleman closed the distance, Jerry confidently came between us and only allowed approach once he realized the conversation was pleasant. Jerry is so kind to other dogs that he drop-rolls his ball to them upon meeting them, but is fearless to the point that he was attacked recently by someone’s overweight retriever while walking down the sidewalk and he simply pawed the other dog’s face, shoved it to the side, and kept trotting down the sidewalk – his ridge hairs didn’t even move. . In the house, Jerry is quiet, patient, and calm. We play with Kong balls. He’s so smart that he knows the curvature of my floor and can roll his ball from the bedroom clear to the kitchen and arc the ball to hit me in the foot – his way of assuring I know he wants to play. He can discern footsteps on carpet outside of the door to the point that he knows if it’s a building staff, neighbor, or stranger. He only alerts to strangers. He waits at the door for me on hearing my car 16 floors down – I confirmed this via my Nest Cams. Jerry doesn’t get on the couch nor the bed during the day. He barks once when I leave to let me know he’s anxious that I return. When I get home, he plunks in my lap at the door for a snuggle fest. . Jerry is intact, but he doesn’t mark and isn’t dog aggressive. He probably has an unhealthy interest in brown squirrels…what can you do… When it’s snowing outside, I show Jerry his snow boots (essential for a Mal) and rolls into my lap to give me his feet to boot up. When it’s cold (Colorado mountain cold), he waits for his jacket. Jerry adores my girlfriend and molds his demeanor to her – more gentle, slower, cuddlier. When he goes to her office sometimes, he stops by every office for a head rub and a chortle. He’s the only dog allowed there, including the two owners’ dogs. . In short, Jerry is a dream come true and we’re a team. . For those considering Ruidoso Malinois: I have referred three people to Ruidoso. One, my business partner, opted to go another way (it’s a competition thing). His “protection” dog was had from the pound (a pitt/yelladog mix) and trained by “some mossad guy” and is no longer allowed in the house. Ever. They now have three chihuahuas that are darlings, but ultimately useful as furry doorbells. The other two wanted protection dogs but had never met one until Jerry. Both are now client of Ruidoso Malinois. . Jerry is part of my EDC and my life. If you think a real protection dog is for you choose Ruidoso Malinois. Focus on being a team with your dog when delivered, and you’ll be hard pressed to be disappointed. The key is to know that your dog will only be as good as the bond of trust between the two of you. Mals are incredibly intelligent and have real emotions on the order of a 5-year old child. Be that Team and you'll enjoy your Mal completely.

Don't touch Irene Howcroft and her kennels with a barge pole. She talks the talk, but don't be fooled. Good reviews are either coerced or written by employees. She and her kennels are a sham. I have spent time with one of her dogs and found this dog over excited, difficult to control, nervous and hungry for love and attention, probably from being locked up for so long. I feel very sorry for these dogs as they appear to be bred for nothing more than the money. Be careful she is not as she appears.

I’m very grateful to have found Ruidoso Malinois, Irene matched me with the perfect dog. She fits right in with my family and our lifestyle. Irene is extremely passionate about her dogs and their training. I had a wonderful time at handler school and I would highly recommend Irene to anyone looking for a Belgian Malinois.

Bottom line up front: If you want a quick transition to add a well-trained dog into your life, you are most likely not a good fit for the amazing brilliance Ruidoso Malinois offers. Just breathe, be patient, and TRUST the team at Ruidoso Malinois. “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” As clique as it may sound, Ruidoso Malinois are experts in their trade and strive to fit the right dog for the right person, and vice versa. While I have waited with painstaking anxiety for months, but “Little Max” was well worth the wait. As an Air Force Veteran, High school teacher, and mother to a 1.5-year-old I wanted to have a dog that fits perfectly into the mix. My requirements were to have a protection dog that was friendly with children, could perform PTSD service work, love loves, and is fierce when needed. Little Max is the PERFECT fit. Irene will tell you, I was impatient and nervous because of the wait, and I sincerely apologize! Not every dog could fit what I was looking for, and I did not understand that at the time. When the day finally came to attend Handlers Training, I was nothing but impressed. I met my match, Little Max, and we bonded over the five days. Tony, our trainer is amazing. He was patient with me and answered every question thrown at him with the knowledge, precision, and application of a true professional. All I can say is thank you to the amazing team- Irene, Tony, and Hans- for training and caring for Little Max.

Our family has known Irene for almost a year, we own one of her incredible male Belgium Malinois. We couldn't have been more pleased with our dog, he is absolutely amazing, the training in NM was so rewarding and beneficial to my entire family. Since owner our Mal, we have been in close touch with Irene, she has been a great wealth of knowledge and helps with our Mal. These dogs aren't for everyone, the effort needed to keep them healthy and happy is high, but so are the rewards! If you're looking for a Mal, I would highly recommend her. She supports our vets and the breed.

As parents of a Unique Gal with a Mal...we have been pleasantly satisfied by the relationships we have formed with Irene and the trainers of Ruidoso Malinois! We have a daughter with a chronic illness that is 12 years old. As she has faced many challenges with her illness, she has also had to transition into the phases of being confined from society and unable to attend school outside of our home. As parents in this position, we felt that having a service and protection dog would give her the confidence that she needed to conquer the world. We have some friends that also have a Mal and when our daughter was introduced to him, she instantly fell in love with that breed. As a mom, with my hands pretty full with her medical situation, I was reluctant to embark on the adventure of adding an additional family member. When my husband and I decided that our daughter needed a companion, he contacted Irene. Within 5 minutes of him explaining the medical situation and our concern regarding the purchase of a companion for her, Irene confidently told my husband that she had the perfect dog for our daughter and her name was Lucy! We left Texas the next day headed to Ruidoso to meet Irene, tour the facility, and meet Lucy. First we met with Irene, who was very thorough and open during our conversation. Irene gave me comfort in my reservations. She asked if she could speak directly to our daughter, as we were still at the table with them, she commended us all for our daughters participation as Irene was very impressed that she had been researching the Belgian Malinois breed and had a list of questions that she and Irene directly discussed. They also discussed the care and responsibility of having a service dog and Irene asked her how she felt that this would be beneficial for her, at which they discussed in great detail, why they believed Lucy was the dog we should meet. Irene was able to get our daughter to open up about the trials she faces, and that, in itself, was very impressive to us as parents. Our daughter felt she could trust Irene, and at that moment, we trusted that Irene was very sincere in her choice of companions to match the handlers personality. We went out to meet Lucy, and the immediate connection between our daughter and Lucy, was undeniable...Irene had chosen the perfect companion! We met 2 other dogs, both excellent dogs, just not the match for our daughter. We toured the facility and the training center, and we were able to watch one of Irene's trained dogs in action. Everything was clean, neat and tidy and each staff member and trainer we met, was beyond friendly and welcoming. Irene had explained our daughters medical situation and everyone was so accommodating, putting the safety of her health first. One of the trainers happened to be sick that day, and he made it a point not to make contact with us due to her health. Seeing all of this and the interaction, helped us make an important decision, not only were we obtaining a companion and new family member, but we were gaining a new family within Ruidoso Malinois, that cared about the health and safety of our daughter. Fast forward to February 3, 2020, when we were able to go pick up our new family member, Lucy, and go through our handler training. This was a very pleasant experience, Tony and Hanns were very thorough, answered all of our questions in great detail and at all costs kept the safety of both our daughter and Lucy as priority! We could not recommend Ruidoso Malinois enough! Like other reviews we have read, words can't express how pleasant and rewarding this experience has been! We are now home with Lucy, and the difference she has made already, is unexplainable! We've had several incidents occur with sickness with our daughter since obtaining Lucy, and Lucy is very attentive and alert! Our daughter doesn't get out of her sight! As parents, our appreciation can't even be described as to how positive of an impact this has been for our Unique Gal with a Mal!