About the breed
Malinois is a very mobile and intelligent dog that can become a pet for everyone. The Belgian Shepherd is highly trainable and smart. But if you do not spend enough time with the dog, it will grow aggressive.
The innate strong-willed temperament, together with the inherent strength of the dog, makes the pet dangerous if the energy is not put in the right direction. But if you tame and properly educate this pet from childhood, then a faithful and kind friend, a strong protector, will grow out of it.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a breed of shepherd dog prized for its intelligence, agility, and loyalty. With a short, straight coat and a strong work ethic, they excel in a variety of roles such as police work, search and rescue, and competitive dog sports.
Belgian Malinois dogs are considered highly intelligent and easy to train. They are often used as working animals in a variety of fields such as law enforcement, search and rescue, and military operations. With exceptional intelligence, dexterity, and energy, these herding dogs easily complete even the most difficult tasks.
Breed at a Glance
- Origin: Belgium
- Size: Medium to large
- Weight: 55-66 pounds (25-30 kg)
- Head shape: Long
- Lifespan: 12-14 years
- Coat Type: Short, straight, and weather-resistant
- Colors: Fawn, mahogany, or red with black markings, usually with a black mask
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, protective, and highly trainable
- Grooming Needs: Low; occasional brushing to control shedding
- Exercise Needs: High; requires vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation
- Best For: Active families, experienced dog owners, working environments (police, military, service work)
The Belgian Malinois is a highly intelligent and energetic breed, often used in police and military work due to its agility, focus, and drive. They thrive in active homes and require plenty of exercise and training. Their strong protective instincts make them loyal guardians, but they need an owner experienced with handling active and intelligent breeds.
The standard of the breed
Le Malinois est une race de berger belge de taille moyenne connue pour son agilité, son intelligence et son éthique de travail. Reconnu par les clubs canins comme l’AKC et la FCI, le standard de la race spécifie un chien athlétique et bien équilibré avec un pelage court et droit dans différentes nuances de fauve à acajou. Ils sont très faciles à dresser et sont souvent utilisés dans le travail de la police, la recherche et le sauvetage et les sports canins de compétition.
Le malinois est un chien de taille moyenne. C’est un animal musclé et flexible. Les femelles ont un physique plus allongé ; les mâles diffèrent dans un format carré. Le poids des adultes est de 25 à 30 kg. La taille est d’environ 60 à 66 cm.
Exercise requirements
Compassion for the owner
Friendship with strangers
Energy level
Playfulness
With other pets
Characteristics of the breed
Family
The reaction to children of representatives of the breed is individual. Some are very patient and loyal, others are able to react in response to the harassment of small children. Malinois does not belong to the category of nanny dogs and this mission should not be assigned to him. Dogs often get along quite well with children over 10 years old. Children of this age are able to follow the rules of behavior with a dog and will not overstep the mark. Malinois, being tireless adventurers, are content to run after a ball or play tug-of-war. It is advisable to monitor the interaction between the dog and the child.
This dog does not get along with other pets in the house. The Malinois is one of those dogs that does not like cats and will chase them away as soon as possible. Hence the importance of socialization from a young age.
Physical qualities
Well-built and proudly installed. It has proportional shapes and lines, without sharp transitions.
Very set, have the shape of a regular triangle.
Almond-shaped, medium sized, dark brown. The gaze is direct and attentive.
Strong teeth well placed and well-spaced. Scissor bite. The cheekbones are flat, with well-developed muscles.
Body not heavy, strong and toned. The physique is harmonious: the voluminous chest reaches the level of the elbows; the back and loin are short; the rump is quite wide with a slight slope.
The coat consists of a very thick undercoat and a short, straight hair. The upper hairs are hard to the touch. The shortest hairs cover the legs, the outer side of the ears and the head, and the longest hairs cover the neck, tail and hips.
The fore and hind limbs are strong and muscular, appearing straight and perfectly parallel. Movements are smooth and light.
The only acceptable color for a Malinois is red with a pronounced charcoal shade and a black “mask”. The latter covers not only the muzzle, but also the ears. Charcoal shading is an optical illusion created by the darker tips of the hair. The main tone should be strictly red. A small touch of white on the toes and chest is allowed, but this will reduce the points when judging the exterior.
Lifespan
Standards & Classifications
FCI
Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).
Section 1 Sheepdogs. With working trial
What to expect when taking care of a Belgian Malinois
Taking care of a dog involves daily exercise, regular diet, grooming and veterinary care. Expect camaraderie, loyalty and joy, as well as responsibilities such as training, cleaning after them and the supply of a safe environment.
No matter how well looked after the pet, some diseases cannot be prevented. The owner should know what health problems are most common in Malinois:
- Cataracts are an eye condition that can lead to vision loss.
- Joint dysplasia – characterized by severe pain, in the acute stage requires surgical intervention.
- Allergy – you need to detect an allergen and eliminate it. The allergen may be food or animal care products.
- Epilepsy – leads to convulsions, involuntary bowel movements. The disease can and must be controlled.
- Inversion of the stomach is a serious condition, surgery is needed to save the animal.
- Obesity – arises from malnutrition, inactivity. It leads to metabolic disorders and other health problems.
The ideal living conditions for the Belgian Shepherd Malinois is a private house and personal land. On the site there is a spacious aviary with a heated cabin and there is a fence so that it is possible to let the dog run around for fun during the day and protect the territory at night. The shepherd is created for protection, therefore the Malinois dog will be happy in such work.
The Belgian Malinois dog breed has a short coat that should be brushed once a week. Always make sure your pet’s ears and eyes are clean and free of deposits. Bathe the dog at least once a week. Trim nails once every 10 days. Moulting takes place twice a year.
Les Malinois ont besoin d’au moins deux heures par jour d’exercice et de stimulation mentale. Il est très facile à entraîner et se distingue par son agilité, son obéissance et ses autres “sports” canins. Ce sont des chiens très actifs et ne doivent pas être considérés comme des animaux de compagnie s’ils sont seuls toute la journée.
Belgian Shepherds Malinois can live both in the yard and in the apartment. They easily adapt to new conditions, because the main thing in their life is their beloved owner.
Character and behavior
Malinois is the owner of the same strong character as his body. This is a wonderful guard, forever devoted to his owner. He can make decisions on his own.
With the right upbringing, a dog can be created even by families with small children. An intelligent dog will endure the baby’s clumsy games and protect him.
Malinois chooses one person most of all for himself – his first owner. It is for him that she will experience the most reverent feelings. With other family members, the dog will also be happy to play and walk.
Sociality
Relationship with the human family
Attitude towards loneliness
Tendency to bark
Friendship with dogs
Adaptability
City life
Suitable as the first dog
Tolerance for hot temperatures
Tolerance for cold temperatures
Did you know?
- Among all four types of Belgian Shepherd Dog, Malinois is considered the most working dog.
- Malinois has an exceptional scent. Even in a calm state, the nose of the shepherd is constantly in motion.
- These dogs are similar to German shepherds, especially if we consider old-format photographs of these breeds.
Price and budget
Here’s an overview of the Belgian Malinois prices and estimated annual maintenance costs across various countries:
| Country | Purchase Price (Mini) | Purchase Price (Maxi) | Annual Maintenance (Mini) | Annual Maintenance (Maxi) |
| France | €1,000 | €2,000 | €800 | €1,500 |
| Canada | CAD 1,200 | CAD 2,500 | CAD 900 | CAD 1,800 |
| Belgium | €1,000 | €2,000 | €800 | €1,500 |
| Switzerland | CHF 1,200 | CHF 2,500 | CHF 900 | CHF 1,800 |
| USA | $1,500 | $3,500 | $900 | $2,000 |
| Germany | €1,200 | €2,500 | €900 | €1,700 |
Explanation:
- Purchase Price: The cost to acquire a Belgian Malinois puppy from a reputable breeder. The price varies depending on the breeder’s reputation, lineage, and any health clearances.
- Mini: Lower range, typically for pet-quality dogs without exceptional lineage or breeding rights.
- Maxi: Higher range, usually for show-quality dogs, dogs from top working lineages, or those with specific training.
- Annual Maintenance Cost: This includes food, veterinary care, grooming, training, and other routine costs.
- Mini: Basic care, such as standard food and regular veterinary check-ups.
- Maxi: Premium care, such as higher-quality food, advanced training, and more frequent vet visits, especially for working dogs.
Additional Considerations:
Belgian Malinois are highly intelligent, energetic, and frequently used in police and military work. They require significant physical exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training. Their maintenance costs can vary, especially for working dogs who might need specialized training and healthcare. Malinois are known for their loyalty and high energy, making them great for active families or individuals familiar with handling high-drive working breeds.
History of the breed
Malinois belongs to the four types of Belgian Shepherd dogs. The birthplace of dogs is Belgium, they were bred in the Flemish region, in the vicinity of Mechelen. Uninformed people might think because of the name of the breed that Malinois is from France, but this is not so. Malinois is rightfully considered the national breed of Belgium.
The first shepherd dogs appeared in Belgium through the efforts of nature and shepherds. Belgians were considered ideal helpers for grazing livestock. But over time, the use of these dogs has expanded significantly.
At first, appreciating the virtues of Malinois, several enthusiasts began to improve them. At that time, the efforts of connoisseurs of the breed created a small tribal club. The best producers who did not have documents, but had an excellent exterior, were used in breeding.
As a result, the breed representatives deservedly gained popularity as service dogs, shepherd dogs, police dogs, guide dogs and bloodhound dogs. In terms of their working qualities, they outperformed even German shepherds.
In 1898, the first club of breed connoisseurs was created on an official basis. Interestingly, the name Malinois was adopted 20 years after the start of breeding. The Belgian Shepherds became famous for their hard work, obedience and devotion.