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Belgian Malinois: Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care Guide

By:
| Updated: August 10, 2023
belgian malinois playing and jumping after a ball

If you are looking for an intelligent, loyal, energetic, and versatile dog, you might want to consider the Belgian Malinois. This breed is one of the four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd, along with the Belgian Sheepdog, the Belgian Tervuren, and the Laekenois. They all share a common foundation and a similar appearance, but they differ mainly in size, coat type, and color.

The Belgian Malinois is named after the city of Malines in Belgium, where it was developed as a herding and guarding dog. Today, it is widely used for military work, police work, search and rescue, protection, agility, obedience, and other activities requiring high intelligence and drive.

The Belgian Malinois is not a breed for everyone. It requires consistent training, socialization, and exercise to thrive. It also has a strong prey drive and a protective instinct, making it challenging for inexperienced owners to handle. However, if you are willing to invest time and energy into this breed, you will be rewarded with a loyal and devoted best friend who will always be ready to work and play with you.

This article will cover everything you need to know about the Belgian Malinois, including its history, characteristics, personality, health, care, and more. We hope that this information will help you decide if this breed is right for you and your family.

History of the Belgian Malinois Breed

The Belgian Malinois is one of the oldest European breeds of dogs. They originated from the herding dogs that were used by the farmers and shepherds in Belgium since the Middle Ages. These dogs were bred for their working ability rather than their appearance, so they varied in size, shape, and color.

In the late 1800s, a group of dog enthusiasts decided to standardize the different types of Belgian herding dogs and classify them into four distinct varieties based on their coat type and color. They were named after the regions where they were most popular: the Groenendael (long-haired black), the Tervuren (long-haired fawn or gray with black tips), the Laekenois (wire-haired fawn), and the Malinois (short-haired fawn with black mask and ears).

The Malinois was named after the city of Malines (Mechelen in Dutch), where it was mainly used as a sheepdog and a guard dog. It was also favored by the military and the police for its courage, intelligence, and obedience. During World War I and World War II, the Malinois served as messengers, scouts, ambulance dogs, and even pulled machine guns.

The first Malinois was imported to the United States in 1911 by a dog expert named Mrs. A.L. White. She was impressed by the breed’s performance in Europe and wanted to promote it in America. However, the breed did not gain much popularity until the 1960s, when it started to compete in dog shows and obedience trials.

Today, the Belgian Malinois is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as part of the Herding Group. It ranks 43rd among 197 breeds in terms of AKC breed popularity ranking. It is also registered by other major kennel clubs around the world, such as the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which classifies it as part of the Belgian Shepherd Dog group.

The Belgian Malinois is still widely used for various types of work that require a high level of skill and stamina. It is especially popular among military and law enforcement agencies for its ability to detect explosives, narcotics, and other substances. Some famous examples of Malinois that have served in these fields are Cairo (the dog that participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden), Conan (the dog that chased down Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi), and Diesel (the dog that was killed during the Paris attacks in 2015).

militry belgian malinois dog resting on a tank
Pixabay

Characteristics of the Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a medium-sized dog that has a muscular and athletic body. It stands between 22 and 26 inches at the shoulder and weighs 40 to 80 pounds. It has a wedge-shaped head with erect ears that are black or have black tips. It has almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown or amber. It has a strong jaw with a scissor bite. It has a long neck that blends into well-angulated shoulders. It has a level back that slopes slightly at the croup. It has a deep chest that reaches to the elbow. It has straight legs with round feet that have black nails. It has a long tail that reaches to the hock.

The coat of the Belgian Malinois is short and dense. It lies close to the body and gives it protection from weather and injury. The coat color ranges from rich fawn to mahogany with black tips on the hairs. The black tips give the coat a shaded or agouti effect. The breed hallmark is the black mask on the face that covers the muzzle and extends up to the eyes. The ears are also black or have black tips.

Some Malinois may have white markings on their chest or toes. These are acceptable but not preferred by breed standards. Some may also have solid black coats or lack black masks or ears. These are considered faults by breed standards.

The Belgian Malinois sheds moderately throughout the year but more heavily during seasonal changes. It requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and dirt from its coat. It does not need frequent bathing unless it gets very dirty or smelly.

Belgian Malinois have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. While generally considered a healthy breed, they can be prone to some health conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Belgian Malinois running with a long stick in his mouth
Pixabay

Personality Traits of the Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a smart and loyal dog that thrives on work and activity. It is always eager to please its owner and to learn new things. It is very responsive and attentive to commands and signals. It is also very alert and observant of its surroundings. It can quickly adapt to different situations and environments.

The Belgian Malinois is not a couch potato or a lap dog. It needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep it happy and healthy. It enjoys running, hiking, biking, swimming, playing fetch, and other outdoor activities with its owner. It also loves to participate in various dog sports and activities that challenge its mind and body. It can easily get bored and restless if it lacks enough outlets for energy and drive.

The Belgian Malinois is not a dog for everyone. It requires consistent training, socialization, and supervision to prevent it from developing unwanted behaviors such as aggression, barking, digging, chewing, or escaping. It also has a strong prey drive and a protective instinct that can make it chase or attack other animals or strangers. It needs an owner who is confident, experienced, and assertive; who can establish clear rules and boundaries for it.

The Belgian Malinois is not a suitable dog for apartment living or for people who are away from home for long hours. It needs a spacious, secure yard to run and play freely. It also needs to be part of the family and to have regular human interaction. It does not do well if it is isolated or neglected.

The Belgian Malinois can be a loving and loyal family member who will protect its loved ones with its life. It can get along well with children and other pets if it is raised with them from an early age. However, it may not tolerate rough handling or teasing from children or other animals. It may also try to herd or dominate them if it is not properly trained or socialized.

The Belgian Malinois is a dog that will give you its all if you are willing to do the same for it. It is a dog that will work hard and play hard with you. It is a dog that will be your faithful companion for life.

Belgian Malinois closeup side profile of the face
Pixabay

Care of the Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a relatively easy dog to care for in terms of grooming and feeding. However, it requires a lot of attention and care in terms of training and exercise.

The Belgian Malinois has a short and dense coat that sheds moderately throughout the year but more heavily during seasonal changes. It requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and dirt from its coat. It does not need frequent bathing unless it gets very dirty or smelly. It only needs occasional trimming of its nails, ears, and teeth.

The Belgian Malinois has a high metabolism and a high energy level that require a high-quality diet that meets its nutritional needs. It should be fed twice a day with measured amounts of dry or wet food appropriate for age, size, activity level, and health condition. It should also have access to fresh water at all times.

The Belgian Malinois needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep it happy and healthy. It needs at least an hour of vigorous physical activity every day, preferably more. It also needs regular mental challenges such as training sessions, puzzle toys, games, or other activities that engage its mind.

The Belgian Malinois needs consistent training, socialization, and supervision to prevent it from developing aggressive or boredom-induced destructive behaviors.

Common Health Issues Affecting Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is generally a healthy breed that has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. However, like any other breed, it may be prone to some health conditions that can affect its quality of life. Some of these conditions are:

  • Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic condition that causes the hip joint to develop abnormally, leading to pain, arthritis, and lameness. It can be diagnosed by X-rays and treated by surgery or medication. It can be prevented by screening the parents and avoiding excessive weight gain or strenuous exercise in young dogs.
  • Elbow dysplasia: This is a similar condition that affects the elbow joint, causing pain, inflammation, and lameness. It can also be diagnosed by X-rays and treated by surgery or medication. It can also be prevented by screening the parents and avoiding excessive weight gain or strenuous exercise in young dogs.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This degenerative eye disease causes the retina to deteriorate over time, leading to blindness. An eye exam can detect it and there is no cure for it. It can be prevented by screening the parents and avoiding breeding affected dogs.
  • Cataracts: These are cloudy spots on the lens of the eye that impair vision. They can be caused by aging, injury, infection, or genetics. They can be diagnosed by an eye exam and treated by surgery or medication. They can also be prevented by screening the parents and avoiding breeding affected dogs.
  • Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder that causes seizures that can vary in frequency and severity. It can be caused by genetics, trauma, infection, or unknown factors. It can be diagnosed by a vet and treated by medication or surgery. It can also be prevented by screening the parents and avoiding breeding affected dogs.
  • Allergies: Immune system reactions to certain substances that cause itching, inflammation, and skin infections. They can be caused by food, pollen, dust, fleas, or other factors. A vet can diagnose them and treat them with medication, diet changes, or environmental control. They can also be prevented by avoiding exposure to allergens or using hypoallergenic products.

Pros and Cons of the Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a breed with many advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before getting one. Here are some of the pros and cons of this breed:

Pros

  • The Belgian Malinois is one of the smartest dog breeds. They learn new commands and tricks quickly and easily. They’re also able to solve problems and adapt to different situations naturally.
  • Belgian Malinois are very loyal and devoted to their owners and families. It will protect them with its life if necessary. It will also follow them anywhere they go.
  • The Belgian Malinois is very energetic and lively. It loves to work and play with its owner. It will never tire of running, hiking, biking, swimming, or any other activity involving movement.
  • The Belgian Malinois is very versatile and can excel in many fields of work and activities. It can perform well in military work, police work, search and rescue, protection, agility, obedience, and more. It can also be a great companion for active and experienced owners who can provide it with enough mental and physical stimulation.

Cons

  • The Belgian Malinois can be stubborn and independent at times. It may try to challenge its owner or test its limits. It may also ignore commands or signals if it is not interested or motivated. It needs a confident, experienced, and assertive owner who can establish clear rules and boundaries for it.
  • The Belgian Malinois can be aggressive towards other animals or strangers if it is not properly trained or socialized. It has a strong prey drive and a protective instinct that can make it chase or attack anything that moves or threatens its territory. It needs an owner who can control its impulses and teach it to behave appropriately in different situations.
  • The Belgian Malinois is very demanding of its owner’s time and attention. It needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep it happy and healthy. It also needs regular human interaction and affection to keep it from becoming lonely or depressed. It does not do well if it is isolated or neglected.
  • The Belgian Malinois is not a suitable dog for apartment living or for people who are away from home for long hours. It needs a spacious, secure yard to run and play freely. It also needs to be part of the family and to have regular human interaction. It does not do well if it is isolated or neglected.
Belgian Malinois low angle picture against a darker sky
Pixabay

Where to Buy a Belgian Malinois

If you are interested in getting a Belgian Malinois, you should do your research first and make sure that this breed is right for you and your lifestyle. You should also consider the following factors:

  • Source: You should get your Belgian Malinois from a reputable breeder who can provide you with health certificates, pedigree papers, and references from previous buyers.
  • Cost: You should expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,500 for a Belgian Malinois puppy from a reputable breeder. You should also factor in the costs of food, vet bills, training, grooming, and other expenses that come with owning a dog.
  • Adoption: You should also consider adopting a Belgian Malinois from a rescue group or a shelter if you are looking for an adult dog or a mixed breed. There are many Belgian Malinois dogs that need loving homes due to various reasons such as abandonment, abuse, neglect, or overpopulation. You can find them on websites such as Petfinder.com or Adoptapet.com or by contacting local rescue groups or shelters in your area.

Conclusion

The Belgian Malinois is a smart and loyal working dog that thrives on work and activity. It is always eager to please its owner and to learn new things. It is also very alert and observant of its surroundings. It can quickly adapt to different situations and environments.

The Belgian Malinois is not a breed for everyone. It requires consistent training, socialization, and exercise to thrive. It also has a strong prey drive and a protective instinct that can make it challenging to handle for inexperienced owners. However, if you are willing to invest time and energy into this breed, you will be rewarded with a loyal and devoted best friend who will always be ready to work and play with you.

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