Officially recognized in Belgium during the late 1800s, the Belgian Malinois is a ruff, tough, and intelligent breed. These dogs originally gained popularity for their reputation as excellent livestock dogs. Today, the Malinois’ unparalleled working drive makes it a top breed for military and police work. They’re even the predominant breed used by SEAL teams.
However, the Belgian Malinois isn’t all work and no play. With the right training and a dedicated pet parent, they can also become devoted companion pets. But according to trainers and breeders, it takes a firm hand to train a Malinois. Otherwise, they may be the ones training you.
So, if you think you’re up for the challenge, read on to learn all about the Belgian Malinois, from nose to tail, and discover if it’s the right breed for you.
Belgian Malinois Breed Characteristics & Appearance
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Belgium
- Size:
- Weight: 40-85 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Belgian Malinois Show vs. Work Personality
According to breed standards set by the AKC, the temperament of a Belgian Malinois is energetic, intelligent, and confident. They’re loyal to their pet parents and highly responsive to their commands. This makes them excellent working dogs. They might be suspicious of strangers but shouldn’t be aggressive with proper training and socialization.
That said, the personality and temperaments of individual Malinois’ can vary. “Not all breeders breed for the same goals,” explains Birgit Hall, a Belgian Malinois breeder with European Belgian Malinois.
For instance, some breeders might strive for dogs with an intense working drive, while others primarily breed dogs for shows. But in general, a Malinois dog that’s bred from show-line dogs may be better suited as a family pet than one from a working line, says Karen Shivers with Stone Fox Kennel.
Are Belgian Malinois Easy to Train?
Since they’re super intelligent and love to work, the Malinois is an easy breed to train, says Ali Smith, award-winning professional dog trainer and founder of Rebarkable.
“A Malinois can be trained to accomplish pretty much anything you can dream up when it comes to feats of physicality or intelligence,” she explains. Some of the more daring activities they can learn include tightrope walking, running up walls, and parachuting from helicopters attached to their owner. It’s no wonder they’re a favorite breed of SEAL teams and action movies.
However, there’s a flip side to this breed’s intelligence.
Smith says they can learn bad habits just as quickly as good ones. For example, if you give your Malinois lots of pets and kisses when they jump up to greet you as a puppy, you might lay the groundwork for a fully grown dog to charge you at the door. Imagine a tactical fur missile. They might also indulge in unwanted behaviors, like counter-surfing, without proper supervision. So, Hall adds that a Malinois needs lots of structure, or they will take over the house.
That said, a Malinois doesn’t necessarily need to take down bad guys or parachute out of choppers to be happy. For example, Shivers says most show line dogs would be content with normal walks, hikes, and play sessions. But a working-line dog will need more intense and mentally stimulating activities to keep them occupied, like participating in dog sports.
Thanks to their herding past, they also make great livestock dogs. Additionally, their aloofness with strangers can give them an edge as guard dogs.
Ideal Lifestyle for a Belgian Malinois
“Malinois need a home where they will do something,” says Shivers. “They want to be near you as much as possible and will choose to be next to you instead of hanging out by themselves.”
Because of this, a Malinois dog tends to do best with pet parents who keep strict daily routines and have lots of time to spend with them. While they can be crated occasionally, they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods on a daily basis, Shivers explains.
A Malinois dog doesn’t necessarily need their own yard to be happy, though. Janet Wolff of Stahlrosenhof Kennels says that they can live comfortably in an apartment with an outlet for exercise. However, they can be vocal dogs, so their barking might not leave you in good graces with your neighbors.
Regarding other household members, Hall says that a Malinois can do well with older children, other dogs, and animals like cats as long as they’re raised with structure. But this can depend on the individual dog. However, Shivers adds that families with younger children may want to avoid the breed since Malinois dogs like to use their mouths and teeth to interact, even at a young age. They also love to roughhouse, which may not go down well with some dogs.
“When Malinois play, it’s like tackle football. Whereas most dogs play flag football and don’t take kindly to being body slammed and having their neck grabbed,” explains Wolff. In essence: While they can learn to get along with other pets in your household, a Malinois dog doesn’t need play dates at the dog park.
Belgian Malinois Health
“Overall, the Belgian Malinois breed tends to be relatively healthy, with few significant health problems compared to other dog breeds,” says Sara Ochoa, DVM, co-founder of How To Pets.
That said, Dr. Ochoa notes that the Malinois is prone to developing certain health issues, including:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye problems (cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy)
- Skin allergies
Additionally, Dr. Ochoa says some Belgian Malinois may experience a decline in bone density when they get older, making them more susceptible to fractures and injuries. However, she adds a balanced diet and getting proper exercise in their younger years can help a Malinois’ bones remain healthy and strong as they age.
“Proper exercise for a Belgian Malinois encompasses more than just regular walks and play sessions,” says Dr. Ochoa. It can also include more rigorous training sessions, agility courses, or tasks that simulate their herding instincts, like treibbal. Regardless of your chosen activity, herding breeds like the Malinois typically need around 60-90 minutes of activity every day.
Belgian Malinois Grooming
Wolff explains that the Malinois is a double-coated breed and sheds daily. But twice a year, they seasonally shed their coats, which can bury you in a blizzard of fur.
Regular brushing could help manage these seasonal fur-nados. At other times of the year, Wolff recommends brushing twice per week, while Shivers suggests a bath every 2-3 months or when needed.
Getting a Belgian Malinois
If you think you’d be an ideal candidate to become a Belgian Malinois pet parent, you can start by researching reputable breeders in your area. The American Belgian Malinois Club offers a breeder referral list and resources to help identify and select an ethical choice. According to them, an ideal breeder should:
- Provide documentation on the registration of the puppy’s parents
- Produce 1-2 litters per year
- Include a purchase agreement stipulating a health guarantee and pricing.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to rescue a dog, groups like the American Belgian Malinois Rescue can connect you with a dog who needs a home.
Why The Belgian Malinois May Not Be Right for You
Since the Malinois is such an intelligent and active breed, they are usually best left to experienced dog pet parents. But there can be exceptions to this rule.
“I have placed some very high drive Mals in homes that have never owned a dog, and they have done amazing,” Wolff explains. But, she says she coached these first-time dog owners for months, sometimes years, before they got their Malinois. “The difference between them and most first-timers with a Mal is they knew up front the kind of work they needed to put in, and did,” she says.
To sum up: Unless you have some experience with training a dog and are willing to put in a lot of work with a Malinois, they likely aren’t the best choice for a first-time dog parent. Thanks to their high energy levels and intense working drive, they’re also better suited for more active households.
4 Breeds Like The Belgian Malinois
Interested in other dogs like the Belgian Malinois? Similar breeds include the following.
- German Shepard: Another active, intelligent European herding dog. They can do well with families with plenty of socialization.
- Belgian Shepard Dog: A sister breed of the Belgian Malinois with a similar working drive and an active personality.
However, if you don’t think you can handle the demands of raising a Malinois, Hall suggests looking into calmer breeds, such as the following.
- Golden Retriever: Water-loving, playful pups that do wonderfully as family pets.
- Labrador Retriever: Friendly, active pups that can make loyal companions.
Above all, no matter which dog breed you ultimately decide on, it’s important to follow the same process of choosing and vetting a reputable breeder before adding a new pup to your family.
Famous or Notable Belgian Malinois
These dogs have made a name for themselves on and off the screen as police and military dogs. Here are a few you might recognize.
- The character Sofia in John Wick 3 (played by Halle Berry) has two Belgian Malinois. These dogs were actually played by five different Malinois — Santana, Boyca, Tai, Sam 7, and Ikar — and Berry even trained them herself!
- The movie Dog chronicled the relationship between Lulu, a military Belgian Malinois, and her handler Sam (played by Channing Tatum.)
- A Belgian Malinois named Cairo helped in the military operation to take down Osama Bin Laden. Cairo sniffed for potential explosives and escape tunnels and assisted with keeping outside crowds at bay.
If you’re interested in more fun facts about your favorite dog breeds, check out our blog for more breed overviews!