Protection Dog Breeds we offer For Sale:

German Shepherd Dog | Boxer Dog | Doberman Pinscher | Belgian Malinois

Bouvier des Flandres | Giant Schnauzer | Dutch Shepherd Dog | Rottweiler | Airedale Terrier

(Click on the above links to learn about each breed)

Belgian Malinois

(Malinois) (Chien de Berger Belge)

The Belgian Malinois in Brief:

The Belgian Malinois, a breed of medium-sized working dog developed in Belgium at the turn of the 20th century. It stands from 22 to 26 in. (55.9–66 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 50 to 80 lb (22.6–27.2 kg). The smooth, straight coat is short except for longer hair around the neck, on the back of the thighs, and on the tail. It is brindled fawn in color with a black mask. One of three closely related types of sheepherding dogs from Belgium, the Malinois is distinguished from the other two, the Belgian sheepdog and the Belgian Tervuren, by coat and color only. In addition to being used for its herding abilities, the Malinois was frequently trained as a police dog.

In the United States, Germany and other European countries, the Malinois is bred primarily as a working dog for personal protection, detection, police work and sheep herding.

Pronunciation of the Belgian Malinois:

Belgian MAL-in-wah

Temperament of the Belgian Malinois:

The Belgian Malinois is one of four Belgian Sheepdogs. It is a very smart and obedient dog. The Belgian Malinois is serious and watchful with strong protective and territorial instincts. Some Belgian Malinois are very shy or sensitive. The Belgian Malinois breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm, but not harsh, training from an experienced master. If you are harsh or overbearing to a Belgian Malinois they will become uncooperative. The Belgian Malinois is instinctively protective so it should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Belgian Malinois Breeders should socialize puppies right from birth. The Belgian Malinois is Extremely Good for working and competition obedience as they retain knowledge very well. The Belgian Malinois dogs make excellent police K-9s, personal protection dogs and guard dogs. These areas of work is currently their main occupation. They do however, make excellent pets. The Belgian Malinois is ever-watchful, alert and loyal, and thrives on loving companionship. Belgian Malinois are good with children if socialized well with them. The Belgian Malinois needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel. It does best given ample time, attention, training and companionship. If the Belgian Malinois is ignored, it will find ways to entertain itself, often at the owner's expense. The Belgian Malinois has a lot of energy and needs a job to do. Working lines can have particularly high drive. Belgian Malinois tend to bond strongly with one or two people. Take care when introducing the Belgian Malinois with small non-canine pets. Generally the Belgian Malinois gets along well with children, but they can be rather dominant toward other dogs. Provided the Belgian Malinois is correctly socialized with cats and other pets, it should not present any problems. Belgian Malinois may instinctively display herding behavior such as chasing and circling, moving effortlessly for hours and nipping at people's heels. The Belgian Malinois is good for working and competitive obedience. The Belgian Malinois is a very demanding dog. The Belgian Malinois needs an experienced owner and can easily be difficult to control unless the owner knows how to handle him (note that it is very important when purchasing any new dog that the buyer receives a handling class with their new dog). There can be wide differences in temperament and aggressiveness from dog to dog. Talk to someone experienced with the breed before you buy a Belgian Malinois. Although Belgian Malinois are often impressive, don't base your purchase solely on achievement records and appearances. Animals displaying excessive aggression or fearfulness should be avoided.

Physical Description of the Belgian Malinois:

The standard for the Belgian Malinois frequently uses the word "square" to describe the breed, as the dog's body is about as long as it is tall. The elegant Belgian Malinois is a muscular dog but not heavy, solid but very agile, with a proud carriage. The Belgian Malinois' topline is level with a slight slope at the withers. The Belgian Malinois' chest is neither broad nor narrow, but is deep, reaching to the elbow. The Belgian Malinois' hindquarters are muscular, without looking heavy. The Belgian Malinois' front legs are very straight and parallel to each other, with round cat-feet. Dewclaws may be removed from the front legs and should be removed from the back legs of the Belgian Malinois. The Belgian Malinois' long tail reaches at least to the hock. The Belgian Malinois' short-haired coat is fawn to red to mahogany with black tips, mask, and ears and a thick undercoat. Some white is allowed on the chest and feet. The Belgian Malinois' hair around the neck is a bit longer and forms a collar. The Belgian Malinois has small, dark, almond-shaped eyes that have an alert and questioning expression. The alert erect ears should be equilateral triangles. The ears should be in good proportion to the dog's head. The Belgian Malinois' muzzle tapers, but is not excessively pointy. The Belgian Malinois' skull is flat and parallel to the plain of the muzzle. The Belgian Malinois' nose is black and the lips should be tight. Their teeth should meet in a scissors or level bite.

Height, Weight of the Belgian Malinois:

Height: Dogs (males) 24-26 inches (61-66 cm.) Bitches (Females) 22-24 inches (56-61 cm.)

Weight: 55-65 pounds (24-29 kg.)

Health Problems of the Belgian Malinois:

The Belgian Malinois is a hardy, healthy breed has no major health concerns. Some minor concerns that have been seen in the Belgian Malinois are skin allergies, eye problems, excessive shyness, excessive aggressiveness and occasionally hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

Living Conditions of the Belgian Malinois:

The Belgian Malinois will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. The Belgian Malinois breed prefers cool climates, but adapts well to others. The Belgian Malinois can live outdoors but would much rather be with his people.

Required Exercise for the Belgian Malinois:

The Belgian Malinois is a working dog that is accustomed to an active outdoor life. As such it needs a lot of exercise, preferably off the leash as much as possible in a safe area.

Life Expectancy of the Belgian Malinois:

About 12-14 years.

Grooming of the Belgian Malinois:

The smooth, short-haired coat of the Belgian Malinois is easy to groom. Brush regularly with a firm bristle brush and bathe only if it is absolutely necessary, as bathing removes the waterproofing of the coat. The Belgian Malinois breed is a light constant shedder, but sheds heavily twice a year.

Origin of the Belgian Malinois:

The Belgian Malinois, named for the Belgian city of Malines, is one of the four varieties of Belgian Sheepdog. In most parts of the world the four varieties: the Malinois (fawn-mahogany, short coat with black marks and overlay, pronounced Mal-in-wah), Tervuren (fawn-mahogany, shades of gray are acceptable in some registries, long coat with black mask and overlay, pronounced Terv-yer-en) the Laekenois (fawn, rough coat, pronounced Lak-in-wah), and the Groenendael (black, long coat, pronounced Grow-en-en-doll), are all considered one breed. However in America, since 1959, the AKC has recognized the Groenendael, Malinois and Tervuren as separate breeds, but has not

recognized the Laekenois at all.

A less well-known, but growing U.S. registry, the UKC, does recognize all four varieties as one breed. Although quite rare in America, the Malinois variety is very popular in Belgium, Germany and France. This versatile and highly intelligent dog excels at many activities including man tracking, agility, obedience, personal and family protection, schutzhund, narcotics and bomb detection work, search and rescue, police K9, sheep herding and pulling sleds or carts. Although the Belgian Malinois is not for everyone, this high energy dog makes an excellent family companion if properly socialized and trained. The first of the Belgian Sheepdogs to establish type, the Malinois became the gauge of his nearly indiscernible brothers, who were labeled Berger Belge a poil court autre que Malinois (that is, Belgian short-coated Sheepdog other than Malinois). Presently, the Belgian Malinois is hardly the single revelation of that country's herders. All the Belgian Sheepdogs developed from hardy working dogs, which ensures that the modern breeds are compatibly gifted on the field. Today the Belgian Groenendael and Tervuren are most often used as companion dogs while the Laekenois and Malinois are used as guard dogs, protection dogs and/or police K9s.