Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a hardy and capable breed of Belgian Sheepdog. Originally bred for livestock protection, these dogs are lively and always up for some play time with the kids or accompanying you on a hike or bike ride.
These dogs are very vigilant and the strong bonds they form with their families can make them protective of those they come to care about…read more below
Quick Facts
LIFESPAN (YRS)
12-14
WEIGHT (LBS)
20-30
TEMPERMENT
Intelligent
COLOR
Sable
HEIGHT (in)
56-66
Belgian Malinois Personality
The Belgian Malinois is a hardy and capable breed of Belgian Sheepdog. Originally bred for livestock protection, these dogs are lively and always up for some play time with the kids or accompanying you on a hike or bike ride.
These dogs are very vigilant and the strong bonds they form with their families can make them protective of those they come to care about. These qualities make the Belgian Malinois a great guard dog if properly trained for the job
The Belgian Malinois likes to keep busy, but they aren’t especially restless as long as they have plenty of opportunities for exercise. From those whose jobs take them outside a lot and are looking for a working companion to those looking for a family dog to bring home, the Belgian Malinois does well in a variety of living situations and can bring smiles and warmth to many.
Belgian Malinois Characteristics
Intelligence
3/5
Trainability
5/5
Grooming Required
5/5
Exercise Needed
4/5
Family/Child Friendly
2/5
Stranger Friendly
2/5
Affection Level
5/5
Barking Tendencies
4/5
Shedding Level
3/5
Dog Park Friendly
3/5
Cat Friendly
3/5
Apartment Friendly
3/5
Belgian Malinois Care
A healthy Belgian Malinois will do well with a nutritionally balanced, good quality dog food. To avoid overeating and weight gain, it is suggested to follow a feeding schedule rather than free feeding.
Portions should be made appropriate for the dogs age and level of activity. They should be getting the calories and protein they need without overeating.
Be sure there is always clean water available for them to stay properly hydrated.
The coat of the Belgian Malinois is characteristically short and water resistant, so maintenance is fairly simple.
Brushing their coat several times per week will keep their fur free of debris and loose hairs. The Belgian Malinois sheds twice a year so more frequent brushing will be needed during the transitional seasons to keep them clear of loose hair and allow for healthy growth of new hair.
Their ears should be checked once per week for any debris or waxy buildup and wiped with a damp cloth or a dog ear cleaning formula.
Their nails will also need regular trimming, but some dogs will wear their nails down naturally through being active, so how frequently they need to be trimmed will depend on the individual dog and their level of activity.
These are strong, capable and energetic dogs and need plenty of exercise every day to keep them satisfied.
The Belgian Malinois is also a very bright dog who wants nothing more than to have a good time with their families. This makes playing a number of games with them all the more entertaining and rewarding for everybody.
From long walks and jogs to accompanying their owners on hikes and bike rides, these dogs will easily keep up the pace and be grateful for the time spent working out together.
The Belgian Malinois has a very strong prey drive and can be tempted to chase after anything small that moves. This should be addressed early on in training to ensure they won’t go running off when you least expect.
These dogs are incredibly bright and loyal though, so training them is not a difficult task. Patience and positivity go a long way when training them.
They only want to do good by those they bond with, so while a firm hand is sometimes necessary, it is important to always be kind and make sure they can have some fun with training.
History
Belgian Malinois History & Lineage
As their name would suggest, this capable breed of Belgian Shepherd originated some time in the early 19th century in and around the city of Malines, Belgium.
Originally bred from long hair breeds of Belgian Shepherd for livestock protection, they remain one of Belgium’s favorite dogs for the job even today.
Some Belgian malinois were imported to the U.S. just before the first world war, but they remained scarce outside their homeland until their popularity, both among livestock workers and those seeking a friendly family pet, began to steadily increase again in the 1960’s.
Despite their beginnings, they were originally classified under the American Kennel Club’s Miscellaneous Class when they were first registered in 1911, but as numbers of the breed grew, they were eventually reclassified under the AKC’s Working Group in 1965. This was changed again in 1973, when the Herding Group was formed within the AKC.
The parent club for the Belgian Malinois was finally established in 1973, and was officially recognized by the AKC in 1993.
Belgian Malinois Medical Challenges
The Belgian Malinois is a predominantly healthy breed, with most dogs living full and healthy lives. As with other similar dogs they can sometimes experience hip and elbow dysplasia as well as eye problems. Annual check ups with your veterinarian will help to further guarantee the prolonged health of your Malinois. The National Breed Club also suggests talking to your vet about Hip, elbow, and ophthalmologist evaluations to better understand and ensure the health of your dog for years to come.
Belgian Malinois Care
Monthly
Lifetime
Breed Selector
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Other Services
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Dog Trainer
Dog Walker
Dog Sitter
Dog Groomer