Argos is one of those dogs you fear you may only have the privilege of owning once in your lifetime. He is our idea of what a Malinois should represent and what we try to recreate. 

He is a decently sized dog at 85lbs with the power and intensity to challenge even the skilled decoys and helpers, yet he still remains quick and agile. Argos is a very mature, more serious working dog with extreme confidence and self esteem; however, he does form a wonderful bond with his handler, close friends, and family and will occasionally reveal his softer side with a clown-like spunk.  With strangers, he is very neutral. He has no issues being in close quarters and being touched by strangers, but he shows little to no emotion. He is a very aware dog in a public setting without being anxious. He is incredibly environmentally strong with all sounds, surfaces, and sights. 

In work, he possesses a more methodical, clear drive which makes him extremely teachable; however, with his independent mindset, one has to learn how to work with him properly with a more  work-together mindset as opposed to the handler-dependent dog working for his handler. He often passes this down to his offspring which doesn't always make the best fit for a first time handler. 

He has a wonderful balance of prey and defense while working with a decoy. He doesn't view it as a game, or a sport, but he is not an overly reactive, defensive dog. Argos has a natural pushing, full, calm grip. He has the ability to be very controllable and attentive to the handler while in protection, but one needs to know how to work him properly, letting him learn more through self discovery  than relying on controlling devices alone.  

In obedience, he has an intense desire to be correct with absolutely no hesitation or laziness. He is always thinking ahead to the next step. He is the perfect balance of intensity and precision. He has wonderful toy drive and will take anything offered, and he has moderate food drive, useful in teaching tracking and more complex behaviors that require a less driven state of mind. 

In tracking, he is very intense and does have a tendency to be quick. 

Argos achieved his BH at the 2018 Southeast Regionals under Judge Frank Phillips and obtained his American Schutzhund BT on November 23, 2019, passing all the temperament/environmental tests with an excellent score. On January 25th, 2020, he trialed for his IGP1 under Judge Jacob Pope and was successful with a score of 95/88/89, then he completed his IPG1 in DVG under Judge Akin Otiko with a score of 80/94/98 with High IPG1 and High Obedience on October 17th, 2020. He obtained his IGP2 on November 21st, 2020 under Judge Lisa Little taking High Protection with a score of 96. Soon after, he also trialed in the 2020 FMBB Selection Trial/AWMA Nationals on December 4th-6th, 2020; however, he unfortunately did not pass phase A. He later achieved his IGP3 under Judge Amanda Hoskinson on April 17th, 2021 with a score of 88/84/97 taking High Protection for the day. On May 16, 2021, Argos completed his PSA-PDC with a score of 61 out of 65 in obedience and 83.5 out of 90 in protection. Argos trialed for his French Ring Brevet August 27th, 2021, and was successful with a score of 96.15, and he then passed the first leg of his PSA1 on September 4th, 2021. Argos then competed at the 2021 Midwest PSA Regionals to close out his PSA1 in 3rd place. Argos competes in the sports of Dock Diving, Weight Pull, FastCAT, and is trained for bed bug detection. 

Argos is AKC and UKC registered and is health tested through PennHip, OFA, and Embark.