Belgian Malinois Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

27 to 36 kg

Height

61 to 66 cm

Lifespan

14 to 16 years

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About the Belgian Malinois

Reviewed by:

Dr. Shamsul Alam Roky

Veterinarian

Many will recognize the Belgian Malinois dog as being somewhat close in appearance to German Shepherds. The Belgian Malinois was originally bred to be a herding dog, but nowadays, they can be seen working with police and the military, as well as protecting their dear family members.

These canines are highly intelligent and athletic and require plenty of love and attention in their lifetime. Whilst this might not be the right breed for everyone, the Belgian Malinois dog is one that will provide you plenty of love and memories if you decide to adopt or buy one.

This guide will hopefully show you all you need to know when it comes to this breed so that you can make an informed decision on whether it’s the right breed for you or not.

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 WWI 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.

What is a Belgian Malinois Breed?

The Belgian Malinois is a medium-sized dog that is also referred to as the Belgian Shepherd. They’re often mistaken for Belgian Shepherds and German Shepherds due to their similar features. They’re a shorthaired breed, usually with a fawn-coloured coat and a black mask.

Who is a Belgian Malinois Best For?

As long as they receive plenty of exercises, they’re dogs that don’t mind being in close proximity, 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.

Belgian Malinois Grooming & Shedding

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 a lot?

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 let 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.

What is the average weight & height of a Belgian Malinois dog?

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

Are Belgian Malinois easy to train?

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.

How do Belgian Malinois behave? A look at their temperament and personality

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 become well-rounded dogs with the right socialization 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.

Does the Belgian Malinois have any common health issues?

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 develops due to growth abnormalities in the three bones that make up the elbow, and abnormal weight distribution in areas of the joint causing pain and 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 14-16 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 does a Belgian Malinois need to be fed?

As a medium-sized, active dog, this breed will need 2 to 3 cups of dry food a day (over the course of four meals). 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.

How much can you expect to pay for 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.

Belgian Malinois FAQs

Can a Belgian Malinois be a house dog?

Whilst the breed is much preferred to being a working dog; they can still be house dogs if they have active owners. They lean towards families and are good with children, but you may want to have this breed as the only dog in the home. Belgian shepherd dogs don’t always have the best track record with other dogs and pets.

Can Belgian Malinois tolerate cold weather?

They do prefer colder weather, but they’re also fine during the warmer months of the year due to their active shedding.

Do Belgian Malinois like swimming?

They love swimming, unlike some other dog breeds that will see swimming like marmite, they either love it or hate it! Belgians, however, will love the water.

Are Belgian Malinois good watchdogs?

Yes, Belgians make great watchdogs, especially as they are native shepherd dogs. They’re a great choice to protect the family home.

How do you keep a Belgian Malinois entertained?

Keeping them entertained will require a good amount of mental stimulation and physical activity. Taking them out for long walks is certainly going to do the breed a lot of good