Belgian Malinois Dog Breed Information

• Breed Name: Belgian Malinois
• Origin: Belgium
• Size: Medium-sized
• Height: 22 to 24 inches
• Weight: 40-65 lbs
• Coat: Short and dense
• Colors: Brown, Fawn, Sable
• Life Span: upto 16 years

The Belgian Malinois is named after the Belgian city of Malines/Mechelen. In the 19th century, Belgian Shepherd dogs were developed for herding and guarding livestock in Belgium. 

In the 20th century, the four varieties of the Belgian Shepherds were given specific names. The exceptional working abilities of the Malinois in the military and police roles were recognized during this time. 

Malinois are not only known for herding and protecting livestock; instead, these varieties have also served during World War I and World War II. Their bravery made them world-renowned in no time; to this day, they are appreciated for their versatility, intelligence, and ability to excel in various tasks.

All the varieties of Belgian Shepherd dogs, including the Malinois, share certain physical traits. The appearance of Malinois is briefly described here:

Size and Appearance

Malinois are medium to large-sized dogs. These dogs have an athletic build, giving them a fit and agile look. If you are less acquainted with the specific characteristics of different breeds and varieties of shepherds, then the initial encounter with Malinois is apparent to create confusion.

Coat

The short, straight, and dense coat of Malinois is similar to any other shepherd variety. The coat color, however, may differ from others. The coat color of Malinois ranges from fawn to mahogany, with a black mask on the face and black ears.   

The primary color(fawn to mahogany) covers most of the body surface. In addition to this, you may observe a black overlay on the back, creating a two-toned or bi-color effect.

Tail

At rest, the medium-length tail of Malinois hangs down naturally and has a distinctive moderate upward curve. When the dogs get excited, the tail is higher than the neutral position. Excitement triggers wagging; when alert or focused, the tail may become stiff while raised.

Eyes

Malinois have alert eyes that reflect intelligence. They are medium in size and are almond-shaped, primarily dark brown.

Ears

The appearance of the ears of Malinois is somewhat different from other shepherds. Their ear shape is unique, erect, and triangular, contributing to their alert and intelligent look. This shape of ears is believed to provide Malinois with an acute sense of hearing, making them agile and attentive.

Belgian Malinois is recognized as a brilliant dog breed. Many studies have demonstrated the high intelligence of Malinois, including a study done by the University of Helinski. The researchers in this study competed over 1,000 dogs from 13 breeds against each other in different tasks. They found out that the Malinois, among others, excelled at problem-solving tasks. Malinois was also able to acknowledge human gestures the most. 

Obedience and smartness are what make them trainable dogs. Highly energetic, the Malinois breed always looks for approval from its owners while performing tasks. Pleasing its master is all that matters to them. This allows owners to train Malinois efficiently, and they will pick up commands fast and do their best in training sessions. If these dogs get a skilled and patient trainer, their boundless energy will unlock their full potential.

Malinois has a history of protecting livestock and guarding in its origin land Belgium. Their strong territorial nature is what makes them effective protectors. Malinois has a strong sense of ownership, they can easily distinguish what belongs to them and what does not. The deeply ingrained territorial instinct of Malinois has been utilized to protect properties, in anti-poaching efforts as well as in military and rescue works. 

The inherent fearlessness is what allows them to take risks while offering protection. This key trait enables them to confront potential threats head-on. Whenever they face danger, they are there to provide a reliable and steadfast presence.

Upon perceiving a threat, they will stand between their owners and the danger and may even intervene if needed. The fearlessness of the Malinois is evident in many cases, one of them being in the Paris attack that happened in 2015, in which a Belgian Malinois was killed as it intruded the gun shooting apartment. 

Belgian Malinois stands out in the task of tracking. The tracking attributes such as a highly developed sense of smell, agility and speed make them excellent trackers. They can sniff out scents, remember the details accurately and track them down with remarkable precision. The high number of olfactory receptors present in the Malinois is a contributing factor to their highly developed detecting and distinguishing smelling power. 

Malinois can identify and locate hidden contraband, the tracking power has been utilized in the detection of substances like narcotics and explosives. They can also track down suspects and missing persons based on their scent. Their agility and speed help them to track efficiently, with their remarkable swiftness, they manage to follow scent trails in no time, ensuring the success of each tracking task. 

The people-pleasing nature of Malinois makes them perfect service dogs. As Malinois can perfectly understand human gestures, they can become reliable companions for people with disabilities. For people with mobility challenges, they can provide support for moving from one place to another. Malinois can offer excellent stability and guidance to the handlers. 

Likewise, Malinois can also help their handlers to maintain balance while standing. Through proper training, Malinois can offer physical support and stability, making a significant difference in people with different orthopedic disabilities. Malinois also responds well to commands and cues, offering practical assistance and emotional support.

Military dogs have been around since World War I and till now a lot of breeds have been employed. Belgian Malinois have been constantly recruited in various wars and military operations. Fearless and agile, Malinois dogs are well-suited for specialized tasks such as bomb-sniffing and parachuting from helicopters. Furthermore, they can collaborate effectively with their handlers during high-stakes operations.

There are many success stories of the military missions in which the Belgian Malinois was made a member of the specialized crew. They have set an example of responsible messengers in world wars. Additionally, it's worth mentioning Cairo, a 6-year-old Malinois who was a member of the Seal Team Six that successfully killed Osama Bin Laden.

Conan, a female Malinois was a part of the Syria raid that killed ISIS leader Baghdadi. Conan had worked for four years in special forces and during the raid she chased the leader into a tunnel where he detonated a suicide vest killing himself.

The heroic achievements of Malinois have been constantly praised by awarding them for their deeds. As of now, Belgian Malinois work in various capacities such as police K-9 units where they serve for the welfare of people.

Belgian Malinois have served as secret service dogs in the White House as part of their canine units. The Secret Service employs these agile and intelligent dogs for security reasons. The Malinois helps to secure the White House environment by detecting explosives, deterring intruders and providing a swift response to threats. 

These Belgian Malinois employed in the White House are known to be brought from Holland. German shepherds used previously were replaced by Malinois as they are adaptable to various climates and environments and carry strong work ethics. These dogs generally work for 7-11 years in the service and get retirement afterward.

The versatility and trainability of intelligent Malinois not only make them real-life heroes but also stars in movies. Their learning capacity has been utilized on the big screen where they can be observed chasing after suspects, sniffing out explosives or even riding cars. Their scene-stealing presence can be seen in many movies like Dog(2022) and Max(2015).  

• Intelligence: 10/10
• Trainability: 9.5/10
• Energy Level: 10/10
• Alert and Protective: 10/10
• Working Drive: 10/10
• Loyalty: 9/10
• Friendly with Adults: 8/10
• Friendly with Kids: 6/10
• Friendly with Other Pets: 8/10 (Early socialization required**)

It is important to note that Belgian Malinois are all about proper training and socialization. Firm, gentle, patient and experienced hands are the most important things to be considered for the proper upbringing of these dog breeds. Their intelligence and working drive are a double-edged sword. While these traits make them incredibly trainable, without a guiding force, the boundless energy and focus can easily turn destructive.

Grooming

The short, dense double coat of Belgian Malinois does not require extensive grooming. Brushing, bathing, nail trimming and ear cleaning, all can be done upon need only.

Nutrition

You can feed your Malinois considering their age and activity level. Malinois are working and highly active dogs, so they generally require a high-quality diet that can help sustain them throughout the day.

Exercise

Without exercise, Malinois won't be able to utilize their excess energy, potentially turning them destructive. So, regular exercise is the best way to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

Socialization and Training

Like any other dog breeds, early socialization is essential to nurture their friendly character. As Malinois are intelligent, starting early training can help them to shape into a well-behaved adult dog.

Pups obtained from reputable breeders are normally healthy. But with increasing age and varying exposure to the environment, Malinois like any other dog breed can suffer from a range of diseases. The health disorders related to Malinois are listed below:

• Eye Disorder: Progressive Retinal Atrophy(PRA) related to the degeneration of the photoreceptor cells common in Malinois. It is a hereditary disorder and in the long run, may lead to blindness. 

Another disorder Malinois is prone to is cataracts. This condition causes blurred vision in dogs and may lead to blindness if not treated in time. 

• Hypothyroidism: The overproduction of the thyroid glands leads to a disease called hyperthyroidism in dogs. The most probable cause of hypothyroidism is linked to a cancerous tumor in the thyroid gland. Weight loss, lethargy and hair loss are some of the symptoms related to this disorder. 
• Movement Disorder: Canine Hip Dysplasia(CHD) is a common movement-related disorder in Malinois. CHD is a malformation of the hip joint that creates difficulty in walking in dogs.
• Hemangiosarcoma: Hemangiosarcoma is a complex disorder in which a malignant tumor is formed in the blood vessel cells. The cause of this life-threatening condition is unknown. Lethargy, pale gums and sudden collapses are some of the symptoms of this disease.

As a pet parent, it's important to address any change in the behavioral pattern of your pup. Regular veterinary visits and proper care of these hounds are necessary to help them maintain overall well-being.

Pros:

• Belgian Malinois are brilliant and can ideally respond to training sessions. 
• They are protective and loyal, making them good family and guard dogs. 
• They have low grooming needs.
• They make service dogs for handicapped people.
• They are perfect for military and security tasks.

Cons:

• Malinois is a susceptible breed, so bad experiences can make them fearful. 
• Lack of proper socialization and training can make them aggressive. 
• They are highly energetic, so their routine should be filled with exercises(not for apartments).
• This breed may not suit novice owners unaware of their dog's feelings, as Malinois wants to be seen and heard.

• For Buying: The American Belgian Malinois Club (ABMC) is the national parent club that maintains the Belgian Malinois's breeder directory. You can visit their website for more information about the breeders near you. 
• For Adopting: If you are planning to rehome a Malinois pup, American Belgian Malinois Rescue and Petfinder are reputable organizations that can help you find the pup.