I met Irene Howcroft of Ruidoso Malinois at a Police Canine Conference where she was one of the conference speakers. I found her to be one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable presenters. Its not very often you come across someone who is extremely intuitive about the breed she trains and the methods she uses. Wanting to know everything about training a protection dog l sat up and listened. When you need help you remember those who made an undeniably lasting impression. I contacted Irene. She listened carefully to my story and said, " Anna, I have the right dog for you". Irene was right. Aisha is a female Malinois that is extremely vigilant in her protection ability. She is very obedient and lovingly affectionate. Irene and her loyal team are at the forefront of excellence in training both dog and handler. My whole experience with Ruidoso Malinois was wonderful from start to finish. I want to also thank Tony and Matt for the amazing training sessions. The handler direction was excellent and customized to my situation ( we had a few good laughs too ). Aisha and I have a special bond that will continue to grow in the coming years as well as my friendship and appreciation for Irene and her staff.

I picked up my puppy a little over two years ago, he's now a full on partner with me in life and i wouldn't trade him for two times his weight in gold. I have had a few outstanding dogs over my life and This Ruidoso boy is by far the best dog i have ever had. Irene put my through the wringer before she allowed me to buy him which as a past breeder of top field trial whippets I truly appreciated, the wrong dog with the wrong person is always a disaster waiting to happen and the right dog with the right person enhances the lives of both When I need advise on training directions, do's and don'ts Irene has always been prompt and helpful in her responses to me. My Malinois has changed my life in so many positive ways and while for me function is always more important then form he is a stunning dog to see which is something I did not expect. He exudes power and carries himself like a prince. He is always a good ambassador for the breed no matter where i go. When i drove to the Ruidoso Malinois facility i found it to be well kept and clean, the dogs in good flesh and in good sized enclosures, all pluses in my book which speak highly about the owner.

Where do i start? This place is simply amazing Irene and her staff not only met but exceeded our expectations. We purchased Scotch a male Belgian Malinois trained at her facility. We fell in love with scotch the first day. His bite skills and energy and stamina is mind blowing. Tony his trainer and Matt worked the bite suit put on nothing short of amazing skills and training with this beautiful dog. We spent one full week twice a day training and getting to know our dog. From building searching to daily visits to the store and park just on leash walking and obedience training he performed flawlessly. I would recommend Irene and her staff to any one looking for great training and a friendly atmosphere and clean kennels. Oh and a little inside joke for Tony hope JERRY is doing ok in the local police department.

Coming from a science background I use facts, evidence, and common sense to make decisions and come to conclusions. As such, when my mom and I decided we wanted to get a protection dog, I did my due diligence looking at many facilities and trainers. However, I was most impressed with Irene and Ruidoso Malinois. Of course, I was dazzled by her dogs, the training videos, her philosophy, and all of the glowing reviews. Nonetheless, what struck me as a true testament to Irene’s character was the fact that she posted a copy of a lawsuit that had been filed against her previously on her site. The charges were determined to be unfounded and the suit was dropped. Additionally, Irene won a countersuit. Most proprietors only want to advertise the positive aspects of their business, but Irene was willing to put this information out there in order to let her clients know that she is on the level and has nothing to hide. I found this type of honesty refreshing. Moreover, it was remarkable the way she would respond to those who had left negative feedback, not with harsh words, anger, and emotion; but with facts, logic, documentation and/or their lack of documentation. In doing so, it demonstrated to me that her reputation truly matters to her, which is hard to come by these days. With all the research behind me, I contacted Irene. We discussed why I felt we needed a protection dog, our home and family situation, as well as our lifestyle. It was evident to Irene that we required one of her dogs, but because my mom has Parkinsons, in addition to a host of other medical issues, it was imperative that we have the right dog. Luckily, Irene prides herself on carefully matching her clients and dogs. Irene assured me that she actually already had the perfect dog, Ardy. She described him to be mild mannered and very loving, yet still incredibly fierce when necessary. Furthermore, Irene informed me that due to my mom’s condition, Ardy could even be trained to be a service dog. I was overjoyed! This was going to change our lives! Irene and I spoke several more times as we worked out all of the details regarding training, payment, documents needed, etc. She was incredibly patient and helpful, always taking the time to answer my questions or address any concerns. I found her to be very thorough and completely professional. In fact, there was a hold up at the bank with part of my payment. When I called Irene, I was very frustrated and upset, yet Irene was nothing but kind and understanding. Throughout the training process, Irene regularly updated us as to how Ardy was progressing. When my mom and I arrived the first morning for "handler school", we were filled with anticipation and a bit of nervousness, not knowing exactly what to expect. Irene greeted us warmly, but was concerned that my mom was much frailer than she expected. She did not think it was a good idea to have her handling the dog, so she wanted to make me the primary handler. She was exactly right! While some people may have been angered by this, I work especially hard to keep my mom healthy and safe, so I was greatly appreciative for her honesty. Again, this served to demonstrate her integrity and desire to keep both her clients and dogs protected. Although my mom was not actively participating in all of the training, Irene and her team consistently made sure she was involved. My mom felt like she was just as much a part of the training as I was. It was an outstanding effort, which made the experience all the more fulfilling. As for me, the trainers made sure that I was not only comfortable, but confident when handling Ardy. It was an extraordinary experience! To conclude, I simply want to say that if you want a phenomenal dog trained by somebody who has a passion for what she does, her clients, her dogs, and surrounds herself with outstanding people, then you won’t go wrong with Irene Howcroft and Ruidoso Malinois!

Our experience with Ruidoso Malinois was exemplary. Irene asked a lot of questions during her screening process. Irene has a serious nature and seems very passionate about her work. My brother is disabled. Irene took the time to ensure she matched up the dog with his needs and abilities. Irene is overly cautious in the safety department. Irene made special accommodations so that we could stay as long as needed to become confident handlers. Her staff were all very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We were especially impressed with how well the grounds where the dogs are housed and trained were kept. The kennels were clean and disinfected. Dogs have clean water and food daily on a schedule. Ayko has become a very important part of our daily lives and family. We are so grateful for him. He is highly intelligent and well trained. Thank you Irene for the love and passion you have for your work. The Elledge family

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!

I just visited Ruidoso New Mexico and I walked away with a terrible experience. After talking to the trainers, who are awesome veterans, you really get ripped off on the prices and condition of the dog. I was even told to watch out for how shady the contract is to purchase a protection dog. I was very disappointed in the conditions of the facility having been to other trainers in the country. So many dogs I could tell were so high strung and angry and were not getting the basic attention they needed. Having a family and only working with the trainers, I worked with Kevin, for a few days I didn't feel comfortable keeping my dog because of the mistreatment. There is a lot of pain induced training specifically with the choke collar and my dog was very skinny for the money. I talked to the local PD and they told me to be wary especially about the condition of the dogs and they had legal trouble with Irene in the past. I can guarantee most of the 5 star reviews are Irene's fake accounts to pump up her stars and this will get buried with the rest of the accurate 1 star reviews. When I was there she would go on and on about getting into battles with former customers online. If a comment doesn't mention how hard Irene is to work with and how shady her methods are to hide information on the dogs then they likely are fake accounts.

If Lili was vaccinated how did she have parvovirus like OSU and other vet tests proved? I wouldn't have sued you if I believed you were capable of telling the truth Irene my lawyer obviously thought the contract was breached, I don't want to spend years trying to get payment from you so I am moving on but I think people looking for honest information should know the truth. I wish I had listened to the people from your town and your own trainers and refused to buy the dog. I would have vaccinated and treated the puppy if that's all you would give me for the replacement dog because I would expect it to have parvovirus like Lili did. How did Lili get parvovirus 2 and a half months after purchase? Anyone reading this should know there is no replacement dog because you can just decide it doesn't matter unless they pursue damages to the very end in court.

My name is Vincent and I took the chance to drive from California to New Mexico to get a new dog. The trip was more than worth it and a year later the dog (Kasai) is very happy here at home as am I. When I first met Kasai he was very well exercised, well trained, and had a very good relationship with everyone there at Ruidoso Malinois. I honestly don’t believe that I could have gotten a better dog anywhere else.

I have done alot of research before I purchased Nana from Ruidoso Malinois (Irene) she took the time and answered all my questions. I definitely would recommend that if you want top quality give Irene a call. Even now after several months have passed I can still call her with any questions. She has spent alot of years helping to perfect this breed and the standards. Call Irene if you are interested in purchasing a top quality Malinois.

The whole experience buying my girl was excellent from start to finish! I am so happy with her and very glad we chose Ruidoso Malinois. Being a former attorney I research everything thoroughly and when we decided to add a Belgian Malinois to our family this was no exception. We spoke to several highly regarded breeders but Irene was the one I liked best on the phone. She was interested in making sure the pups went to the right homes above all else. My main priority was a reputable breeder and it was clear to me this was what Irene was. She was very protective of the breed and her puppies just the way it should be! Information was sent on the litter with health details about the parents including hip xrays without even having to ask. The pedigrees and titles of the parents were impeccable. We visited the facility twice and were amazed at how clean and beautiful it was. The first time due an out of state emergency Irene’s staff did not know we were coming until we arrived and the facility was still spotless so it’s clearly kept that way all the time and not for show. We were able to see the momma who was beautiful and clearly loved and in great health and all the puppies. The facility was professional and the dogs all had plenty of space and you could tell each one was cared for. Shot records and AKC registration was all provided promptly and I was able to choose my pups registered name. Irene picked my puppy for me and she made the perfect choice. I received a highly intelligent, confident puppy. Irene and her staff had taken the puppy in vehicles and worked with her in a kennel so we had a very easy ride home (even though it was a long way) and we have had no issues at all at night or with accidents in the house. Irene provides written handouts on nutrition, equipment and even toys that makes the puppy’s transition to the new home as easy as can be. I’m just amazed every day how clever my puppy is and how fast she learns! I am so excited for my journey with her. Thank you so much Ruidoso Malinois!

I went into owning the breed blind and for the very first time. Irene was so comforting and I was assured that we would be in heaven. Boy was she right!!!! He is protective yet sweet, smart and humble around family/children. An incredible strong and beautiful dog like nothing we have ever seen. We love our dog like none other. Life as we knew it has changed.....we will ALWAYS have one of Irene's dogs as long as it is possible.

Outstanding - Irene Howcroft is an excellent breeder and trainer - We love our dog Jessy