Malis seem to have a longer working life than GSD, have less in breed illnesses like GSD, are real loving people dogs and thrive on fuss. A lot quicker and fast and more agile than your traditional GSD but the Chek line GSD is a good second to a Mali. They switch to work and man work very quickly but have found they mature slower. Sizes vary a lot with them been on average smaller than a GSD. They bite well and as long as you can get them focused will do everything a GSD will. If you haven't worked one go to someone who has or is working one. I really like them and would have liked one but didn't get that choice this time round. Have a look at Dutch herders they are like Malis on steroids Israel special forces like them and so do the yanks. I've worked against a fair few Malis and they hit hard and put you under a lot of pressure. Saying that they are real fuss pots.
What at you thinking of doing with it?