Belgian Malinois Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Belgian Malinois?

Developed in the late 1800s, the breed is one of four types of Belgian Sheepdogs. The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club was formed back in September of 1891 and helped to distinguish the dog types that had been developed in the country of Belgium.

In 1892, it was outlined by Professor Reul that the first Belgian Shepherd Dog standard would be recognised as three varieties; dogs with long coats, rough coats, and those with short coats. By 1901, the Belgian Shepherd was recognised as a breed.

The Belgian Malinois descend from a pair of dogs owned by Adrien Janssens in 1885. The two dogs, Vos I and Lise de Laeken, are considered to be the ancestors of the modern-day dogs we see in this breed.

The name Malinois comes from the fawn shorthairs popularised by the Malines club that was formed by the city to promote this type of Belgian Shepherd dog in 1898. These dogs were used throughout the years as guard dogs and were the first dogs to be used by Belgian police. They were also used in WW1 by the military.

Nowadays, they're seen a lot in the military, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. Many Malinois have been imported to the US as a result.

Who are Belgian Malinois dogs best for?

As long as they receive plenty of exercise, they're dogs that don't mind being in close proximities, even if that's an apartment.

The American Kennel Club considers this breed to be one that isn't best for first-time owners as they do require a lot of attention and training from the get-go. Your Malinois is going to need some active walks a few times per day, so it's going to suit someone who likes getting out into the great outdoors.

An experienced dog owner is best preferred for this breed, especially as they can sometimes be a challenge.

How much grooming does a Belgian Malinois need?

With short, straight hair, it makes it fairly easy to groom. You're going to find that the hard topcoat and dense undercoat will keep them warm and weather-resistant - great for those who don't want to deal with weekly bath times!

Malinois will benefit from a firm bristle brush for brushing out the dead hair, especially as this breed will shed all year round.

Clean their teeth once or twice a week and trim nails regularly where required.

Do Belgian Malinois bark much?

If you're looking for a quiet dog, then you may want to look at other dogs, as this can be a loud pup. They tend to bark, and this is often down to being bored or needing to communicate something to you, perhaps to go outside or letting you know they're hungry.

Barking is something you can train out to a certain degree but it's a natural habit that most dog breeds will have, especially with its herding origins.

Do Belgian Malinois bite?

The Belgian Malinois has a 'bite and hold' instinct that has come from a lot of the influences within law enforcement and the military. It's especially apparent if you're adopting an ex-service dog.

Extreme biting can often be a normal habit for the breed, so this is something to consider when adopting or purchasing a dog like this one.

What is the temperament & personality of a Belgian Malinois?

As a breed, they're affectionate to all family members and make great working dogs if they're being adopted or purchased for this purpose. The Belgian Sheepdog is a highly alert and great watchdog for those who need their home looked after night and day.

They'll becomw well-rounded dogs with the right socialisation and training given from an early age. The Belgian Sheepdog Club would suggest that a puppy kindergarten class is a worthwhile choice.

You're not going to get a shy dog with your Belgian Malinois, and for some dog owners, that's important.

What is the weight & size of a Belgian Malinois?

As a medium-sized to large dog, the males are around 61-66cms tall and around 27 to 36kgs in weight. The females are slightly shorter at 56-61cm tall and weigh 18 to 27kgs.

How much training does a Belgian Malinois need?

Similar to that of the German Shepherd, the Belgian herding dogs will need the same attention when it comes to training. It should start from an early age because these Belgian breeds are highly intelligent and will pick up commands fairly easily.

It can help get rid of any territorial or aggressive behaviour if you're consistent and experienced with the training given.

If you're getting a puppy, then dog training should be gradual, as should the exercise. As a family pet, they'll need to be introduced and socialised earlier on to ensure they get on with everyone they meet.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Belgian Malinois?

Health can be an important one for Belgian Malinois, and they are generally healthy dogs. However, they can be prone to health conditions that are worth being aware of. A few of these include:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy - This is an eye disorder that gets worse over time, eventually causing blindness. It is something that's detectable but isn't something that can be cured. As such, your dog can use its other senses to compensate for its loss of vision.

Hip & Elbow Dysplasia - Two heritable conditions that are common in a lot of dogs. Hip dysplasia is where the thighbone doesn't fit into the hip joint properly, causing arthritis. Elbow dysplasia is the growth rates differ in the three bones that make up the elbow and again, causing problems like lameness.

Anesthesia Sensitivity - As a dog breed, they are fairly sensitive to anesthesia, which means they're going to be at a higher risk of death when put under. It's important that your vet knows this so that precautions can be made or alternative approaches occur that can avoid it being used.

What is the lifespan of a Belgian Malinois?

The average lifespan of this dog is usually around 10-14 years old. As a relatively healthy breed, they're certainly going to live a long life if they're given plenty of exercise on a daily basis.

The length of its lifespan is a fairly reasonable amount of time, especially as some dogs don't even get to reach the age of 10. This sits around the average time for most dogs when it comes to their lifespan.

How much should you feed a Belgian Malinois?

As a medium-sized, active dog, this breed will need 2 to 3 cups of dry food a day. Alternatively, you can make this up out of wet food or raw food, depending on the diet that has been recommended by the vet.

It's good earlier on to try different food types and to see which is the best for your dog.

What is the price of a Belgian Malinois in Australia?

You'll be expected to pay an average of $1000 for a Belgian Malinois puppy. However, for adults, you could be expected to pay anywhere between $600-$2000 depending on the breeder.