Mary Allen
The Malinois (Belgian Shepherd Dog) is packed with energy. Learn more about the worker and how to actually pronounce the name here.
If you were to put together a school class of dogs, the Malinois would clearly be the inquisitive nerd in the front row. The Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd would probably be part of his intelligence clique.
A Belgian Shepherd Dog, as the Malinois is also called, is a very intelligent and attentive dog that almost explodes with joy in learning and working. At the same time, the breed is considered sensitive and affectionate.
Get to know the Malinois (pronounced maliˈnwɑ) in our breed portrait and learn everything about the appearance, character, health, upbringing, and care of the hard-working dog breed.
What does a Malinois look like?
The Malinois is often confused with the German Shepherd Dog. In fact, the breed looks like a short-haired version of its German neighbor. But if you look closely, you can see some differences to the German Shepherd Dog. The physique of the Malinois is somewhat squarer and appears lighter. The dogs are slim and always seem agile in their movements.
A special feature of the Malinois is its large erect ears. Almost like a rabbit, these stand out long and large from the head. So you shouldn’t exchange secrets in the dog school class, because the Malinois hears everything, even in the front row!
Another special feature of the dogs is the black mask on the face, and the dark coloring of the fur.
The fur itself is short. The color variants range from reddish brown to fawn. According to the standard, black discoloration of the hair tips is desired in dogs, the so-called black clouding.
Incidentally, the Malinois is not a dog breed per se but is considered a variety of Belgian Shepherd dogs. There are also Laekenois, Tervueren, and Groenendael variants of the Belgian Shepherd Dog. The coat of all four varieties differs greatly from each other. All other external features such as size, weight, and character traits should otherwise be the same for all dogs.
How big is a Malinois?
The Malinois is one of the large dog breeds. Males reach an average height at the withers of between 60 and 66 cm. Bitches reach a size between 56 and 62 cm.
Also read: The largest dog breeds in the world
How heavy is a Malinois?
A Belgian Shepherd Dog is generally a slim dog that should be able to react quickly and agilely. Its average weight is therefore rather low compared to other dog breeds, especially compared to the heaviest dogs in the world. Males weigh between 25 and 30 kg and females between 20 and 25 kg.
How old does a Malinois get?
The Belgian Shepherd Dog and therefore also the Malinois belong to the dog breeds with robust health. On average, a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years can be expected for the Malinois.
What character or nature does the Malinois have?
Like most of today’s working dogs, the Malinois was primarily used as a herding and driving dog in the past. His intelligence, his ability to perform, his will to learn, and his endurance are still highly valued today.
The Belgian shepherd dog in general and the Malinois, in particular, is mainly used in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France as a service dog for the police, military, and other areas.
The urge to move of the Malinois is remarkable. It is not uncommon for you to see his excitement at finally being able to do something (meaningful). The dogs are lively and have a lot of temperament.
The bond between dogs and their family and above all their leader is very close. Malinois are considered loyal and affectionate. And these dogs have real size: their character is considered stable, courageous, and fearless. They are ideal watchdogs because they take their job of protecting the house, yard, and family from intruders very seriously.
The protective instinct of German shepherds is also strong. Comprehensive socialization is therefore essential because the dog has to learn that not every postman is public enemy number one.
The History of the Malinois
How old the breed of Belgian Shepherd Dogs really is can no longer be said today. Up until the end of the 19th century, herding dogs and cattle dogs were mixed up in Belgium and the Netherlands. It wasn’t her appearance that was in the foreground, but her ability and diligence in herding and protecting flocks of sheep and other livestock.
It was not until 1891 that serious efforts to define the German Shepherd as a breed and set a standard began. Several dog clubs were formed. However, these were notoriously divided on what the standard of the Belgian Shepherd Dog should actually be. In particular, the permissible coat variants for dogs continued to change back and forth until the end of the 20th century.
As a result, there are four recognized varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog today:
- Malinois
- Groenendael
- Laekenois and
- Tervueren.
All dogs are named after Belgian cities. The Malinois got its name from the town of Malines or Mechelen in the Flemish language area.
Malinois: The right attitude and upbringing
The Malinois is a die-hard working dog. Accordingly, he also needs a species-appropriate attitude and upbringing. The very intelligent dog is only considered fully grown at around three years of age. (Also read: Intelligent Dog Breeds – The 10 Smartest Dogs in the World) The training of the dog extends over a long period of time.
Early and intensive socialization and loving consistency in upbringing are particularly important. Dogs instinctively have herding and protecting in their blood. That’s why they have to be taught that they don’t have to protect their “herd” from every passing cyclist. The dogs are very sensitive, which is why strictness has no place in their upbringing. Quiet, serenity, consistency, and, above all, a lot of love are what is needed here.
The hard-working dogs are bursting with zest for action. If the dog is not used as a service dog such as in the military, police, or in similar areas, it needs appropriate compensation. And that means for you: sport, sport, sport. Agility, dog sports, retrieval games, and mental workloads are an integral part of keeping the Malinois.
Due to its intelligence and willingness to work, the Malinois is not a beginner’s dog. He should only be picked up by experienced dog owners.
What care does the Malinois need?
The care of the Malinois proves to be rather undemanding in contrast to its husbandry. The short coat should be brushed regularly and good hygiene should be ensured with the teeth and ears. Since German Shepherds are so eager to work, you should teach them to sit or lie still. So the care works much better.
Good care also includes good nutrition. Since German Shepherds burn a lot of energy, dog food with lots of protein and healthy nutrients is the best choice. But the Malinois also has no objection to one or the other dog snack.
What typical diseases does the Malinois have?
The Belgian Shepherd Dog and especially the Malinois are considered to be extremely robust and healthy dog breeds. Breeders are very strict about the health of their puppies and hereditary diseases are rare.
The Malinois can still be prone to elbow dysplasia. Skin diseases and allergies can occur less frequently. Nothing is known about other serious hereditary diseases.
How much does a Malinois cost?
The Malinois is considered the most widespread variety of Belgian Shepherd dogs. Nevertheless, the dog breed is rather rare in Germany, and therefore only a few breeders. If you would like to buy one of these puppies, you should definitely reckon with prices starting at €1,000. Make sure the breeder is reputable. This is the only way you can be sure that you are buying a dog with good character and the best conditions for good health.
If you have the opportunity to travel, you can also look around for a cute puppy in Belgium. There are significantly more breeders there who have specialized in the hard-working Malinois.
But of course, it doesn’t always have to be puppies. Due to its demanding rearing and tireless work ethic, some dog owners are quickly overwhelmed by the Malinois. Unfortunately, the dog often ends up in the animal shelter. If you feel capable and ready to give the bundle of energy a loving home, then definitely take a look around at the animal shelter. Maybe you will find your new friend for life right here.