There are four varieties in the collective group of Belgian sheepdogs. The four breeds are the Belgian Groenendael, the Belgian Tervuren, the Belgian Malinois and the rare Belgian Laekenois. Resembling a German shepherd, the Belgian Malinois is a protective guard dog and loyal family member. The Belgian Malinois originated in the Belgian town of Malines, where shepherds utilized the herding dogs for tending and guarding their flocks during the late 1800s. The dogs’ agility capabilities and guarding skills were enlisted into police work and military service. After World War II, more of these dogs were imported into the United States. In 1959, the American Kennel Club recognized the Belgian Malinois as a distinct breed in the herding group.
Originally bred for herding, the Belgian Malinois is an athletic and heavy boned dog breed. It can sprint at great speed and loves to herd in circular motions. It has a short, straight coat with a dense undercoat. The sturdy Belgian Malinois stands 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 40 to 80 pounds. Often mistaken on site for a German shepherd, its appearance is strikingly similar. The Belgian Malinois wears a thick coat that is short, straight and weather resistant. The coat color ranges from fawn to mahogany, and the hairs are tipped in black. The face is covered with a black mask. The ears are black, pointy and erect. The Belgian Malinois has a thick tail that is carried downward when relaxed, and its brown eyes exude intelligence and alertness. The top of the dog’s back has a slight, downward slope over the hindquarters.
Personality
This dog breed has high energy and high intelligence, that’s why they need regular exercise and will not be happy with a comfortable walk on the leash. They need mental stimulation and are smart and alert, making them an ideal watch and guard dog. They are intense and hard to train and are known to go through a “juvenile” phase when all their training goes out the window. They need to be properly trained to reduce their will to dominate. They can be aggressive towards strangers or other dogs if they feel threatened. The Belgian Malinois is intelligent, obedient and adept at learning a variety of tasks. This working dog needs to feel useful and be kept mentally occupied. The breed is territorial, courageous, alert and protective, making it an outstanding guard dog. The Belgian Malinois also has a strong herding instinct, and it will attempt to herd small children and other pets. The Belgian Malinois is guarded around strangers, but it is loyal and loving with its family members. This breed must be consistently socialized from the earliest age to prevent shyness and potential aggression, and it must be trained to interact peacefully with other household pets. The Belgian Laekenois has a lot of energy, and it requires daily physical exercise in a fenced yard to expend it. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners and handlers. To ensure that a Belgian Malinois becomes an ideal family companion, diligent obedience training by an experienced and assertive owner who can fill the alpha role is essential.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Herders |
| Function: | Working |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Herding |
| Life Span: | 12-14 Years |
| Nicknames: | Malinois, Belgian Shepherd Malinois, Chien de Berger Belge, Mechelaar, Mechelse Herder, Mechelse Scheper, Pastor Belga Malinois, Belgian Shepherd Dog |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Belgian Malinois Build Information
Originally bred for herding, the Belgian Malinois is an athletic and heavy boned dog breed. It can sprint at great speed and loves to herd in circular motions. It has a short, straight coat with a dense undercoat. The sturdy Belgian Malinois stands 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 40 to 80 pounds. Often mistaken on site for a German shepherd, its appearance is strikingly similar. The Belgian Malinois wears a thick coat that is short, straight and weather resistant. The coat color ranges from fawn to mahogany, and the hairs are tipped in black. The face is covered with a black mask. The ears are black, pointy and erect. The Belgian Malinois has a thick tail that is carried downward when relaxed, and its brown eyes exude intelligence and alertness. The top of the dog’s back has a slight, downward slope over the hindquarters.
| Size: | Large |
| Length (Male): | 22-27 in. |
| Length (Female): | 22-24 in. |
| Weight: | > 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
This dog breed has high energy and high intelligence, that’s why they need regular exercise and will not be happy with a comfortable walk on the leash. They need mental stimulation and are smart and alert, making them an ideal watch and guard dog. They are intense and hard to train and are known to go through a “juvenile” phase when all their training goes out the window. They need to be properly trained to reduce their will to dominate. They can be aggressive towards strangers or other dogs if they feel threatened. The Belgian Malinois is intelligent, obedient and adept at learning a variety of tasks. This working dog needs to feel useful and be kept mentally occupied. The breed is territorial, courageous, alert and protective, making it an outstanding guard dog. The Belgian Malinois also has a strong herding instinct, and it will attempt to herd small children and other pets. The Belgian Malinois is guarded around strangers, but it is loyal and loving with its family members. This breed must be consistently socialized from the earliest age to prevent shyness and potential aggression, and it must be trained to interact peacefully with other household pets. The Belgian Laekenois has a lot of energy, and it requires daily physical exercise in a fenced yard to expend it. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners and handlers. To ensure that a Belgian Malinois becomes an ideal family companion, diligent obedience training by an experienced and assertive owner who can fill the alpha role is essential.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Moderate |
| Barking: | Moderate |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | None |
| Energy Level: | Very Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | Yes |
| Independant: | Moderate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
The coat of a Belgian Malinois requires minimal grooming. The breed sheds heavily, so brush the coat once or twice a week to remove the dead hair, restore luster and minimize the accumulation of shed hair on the floors and furniture. Inspect the ears weekly, and keep them clean and dry to prevent ear infections. Brush the teeth every other day to prevent periodontal disease and preserve his overall health.
| Colors: | Fawn, Mahogany |
| Shedding: | Constant |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Dense |
Belgian Malinois Common Health Conditions
The Belgian Malinois lives an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Some health conditions to watch for in this breed include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, chronic superficial keratitis, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. The deep-chested physique of the Belgian Malinois increases the risk for gastric torsion, or bloat, which is life threatening and requires immediate emergency intervention.
Belgian Malinois Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Belgian Malinois originated in Malines, Belgium. The Belgian Malinois is also called a Belgian shepherd Malinois, a Malinois and a Mechelse shepherd. The Belgian Malinois is intelligent and courageous. It makes an effective guard dog, and it is easily trained to carry out ther working tasks. This breed is energetic and confident, and it needs an experienced owner who will be able to take charge through early obedience training and socialization. The Belgian Malinois stands 22 to 26 inches tall and weighs 40 to 80 pounds. The Belgian Malinois has a high energy level. The Belgian Malinois requires minimal grooming. The average lifespan for a Belgian Malinois is 12 to 14 years.
| Training: | Hard |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | Yes |
| Retrieving Skills: | Yes |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | Yes |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | Yes |
| Police Performer: | Yes |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | Yes |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | Yes |
| Agile/Zippy: | Yes |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | Yes |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | Yes |
| Trainable for Tricks: | Yes |
