Belgian Malinois resemble a short haired German Shepherd, though their stature can be leaner, in some cases almost deer-like. Malinois coloring is generally a black mask on the face with black ears and a yellow to mahogany short coat. The breed averages between 55 and 75 pounds when full grown, and stands around 24 inches at the shoulder.
An Intense, Loyal Companion
One word can sum up the Malinois’ temperament: intensity. The Malinois is an energetic, driven dog, eager to please their masters and often quite enthusiastic. This enthusiasm means the Malinois is not a good dog for owners with small living conditions, or owners without the time to properly exercise the dog.
Malinois can be excellent social dogs if properly introduced to other animals, children, or cats at a young age. Full grown Malinois can be pushy and eager, seeming aggressive when not meaning to, and care should be taken with new situations the dog encounters. A dog that has been socialized at a young age to other animals or people will have a much better temperament towards new faces and places as they mature into adulthood.
The Malinois requires daily exercise, and without it can become anxious, nervous, or destructive in the home. They possess the ability to jump as if on springs, so even the highest of objects hidden in the home can be the target of a destructive dog’s attention if not properly exercised.
Crate Training a Must for Young Dogs
At a young age, a crate is a necessity if the dog is to be left alone for any period of time. Younger dogs will chew on anything, so care must be taken to avoid situations where the dog can ingest the owners’ possessions, resulting in a trip to the vet or the shoe store to replace that favorite pair of old sneakers.
An owner can gain quite a bit of enjoyment with a Malinois. The dog is eager to please, takes to training well, and simply loves to play. While they are not the dog for everyone, with the proper handling and environment, they are intelligent, affectionate, and loyal.
Origins Of The Malinois
The word “Malinois” is from the French for “Mechlinian,” meaning “from Mechelen,” a city in Antwerp, Belgium. In Belgium, the Malinois may be referred to as a Belgian Shepherd Dog. The other varieties of Belgian Shepherd are the Laekenois, Tervuren, and Groenendael.
While all four varieties are considered Belgian Shepherds in Belgium, the United States recognizes them as separate breeds of dog. The Groenendael, a Belgian Shepherd with a long black coat, is recognized in the American Kennel Club as the Belgian Sheepdog. Laekenois have a wiry coat, and are grey to black in color. The Terverun is the same color as the Malinois, with a long coat like the Groenendael. As the names imply, these dogs can be used for herding livestock, and often exhibit herding behavior towards groups of people or animals.
The Malinois is considered the top working dog in the world, and is used extensively in military and law enforcement settings. The breed is used in these settings for protection and bomb or drug detection. There are a number of organizations that have competitions testing the dog’s prowess in obedience, protection work, and agility training. Belgian Ring Sport is becoming more popular in the United States, while Schutzhund has existed in the country for some time. French Ring Sport, Mondio Ring, KNPV, and Campagne are all competition based organizations.
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