If you’re interested in adding a dog to your family and have been looking into larger breeds, the Belgian Malinois may have caught your eye. A short-haired variety of Belgian shepherd, you’ve probably heard of this one mainly due to how often it’s used in government organizations like police forces, customs and the military. But does the Belgian Malinois make a good pet as well?

Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Belgian Malinois dog breed and what to expect if you bring one home!

Belgian Malinois dog breed history

If you’d like to understand Belgian Malinois dog breed history, it’s important to know that it’s actually considered a breed variety, not a breed by itself. Belgian Malinois are one of four types of Belgian shepherds, all named after locations in their home country. In the case of the Malinois, that would be the region of Malines (French) or Mechelen (Dutch).

The other three Belgian shepherds are the Groenendael, Tervuren and Laekenois. Although the four varieties’ body shapes are pretty much the same, they don’t look that much alike at first glance: their coats are completely different, with the Malinois being the shortest-haired variety.

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As its name suggests, the Belgian shepherd was originally bred as a herding dog, expert at its job of keeping sheep where they’re supposed to be. The breed was standardized by the late 19th century onwards, although breeders struggled for a long time to keep their numbers up and prevent extinction. Like for many other dog breeds, the two world wars were especially problematic, although they also offered a chance for the Belgian shepherd to show its usefulness in jobs other than herding. The breed and its four varieties were eventually standardized in 1956.

The Belgian shepherd showed its intelligence, strength and courage during the world wars and note of this was definitely taken. Today, the different varieties are used for all sorts of tasks, with the Malinois excelling as a police dog, in search & rescue, anti-poaching and in military organizations worldwide.

Belgian Malinois dog breed appearance

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard, the Belgian Malinois dog breed is characterized by its square build. They’re strong and muscular but somehow still very elegant dogs with their head held proudly high. This is a very athletic rather than bulky breed, built for endurance and with bright brown eyes.

Belgian Malinois reach a height of up to 26” and the males can weigh up to 80 pounds. They feature a typical herder appearance with pointed ears and a short and straight coat, as well as a nice and thick undercoat. Belgium gets chilly and rainy, so these outdoor working dogs were definitely bred to be weather-proof.

Belgian Malinois colors

The colors accepted by the AKC breed standard are limited when it comes to Belgian Malinois. They prefer a brown dog (from “fawn” to “mahogany”) with black hair tips, except on the underside of the body, which should be a bit lighter. The breed sports a mask: darker (almost black) coloration on the face and ears.

This being said, not all Belgian Malinois are brown. That’s just the AKC standard for showing! Other countries’ kennel clubs may disagree. There are also grey, black and cream Malinois, among other color variations.

Do Belgian Malinois shed?

We probably don’t have to tell you that there’s no such thing as a shed-free dog, but at least the situation isn’t overly dramatic when it comes to this breed, as their coat is short. Don’t underestimate the amount of hair they drop either, though!

Belgian Malinois go through two heavy seasonal shedding periods and also drop some degree of hair year-round. We’d call it a “moderate-but-enough-to-consider-a-robot-vacuum” kind of shedding level. It can help to brush regularly with something like a brushing glove, especially during the shedding season.

Belgian Malinois dog breed temperament

Let’s get to the bit that Belgian Malinois are probably best known for! We’d like to stress that, due to their temperament, we don’t consider these beginner dogs. They’re also not dogs for people with a busy lifestyle who may spend a lot of time working outside the home or away. Failing to properly train a Belgian Malinois can be problematic due to their size and protective instincts, so you need to think long and hard about whether you’re able to provide what they need.

If you’d like to add a Malinois to your family, you’ll have to ensure plenty of space as well as time for activities. These guys are made to work: smart, extremely eager and very focused on their owner. A Belgian Malinois stuck in the home is an unhappy one – and also one that’s likely to tear up your couch. Consider hiking or running together, or even something like agility or tracking, if you want to see your dog in its element.

Herder breeds like this one, maybe because we tend to see them used as guard dogs and for taking down police suspects, have somewhat of a reputation as dogs to be careful with. Actually, though, a well-trained Belgian Malinois should be fine with other dogs and even children. They’re usually fine with new people and environments, too, enjoying playtime and exploring.

Belgian Malinois mix

Belgian Malinois dog breed lifespan & health

Belgian shepherds, including the Malinois, tend to be reasonably healthy dogs. As with other larger breeds, elbow and hip dysplasia tend to be an issue, so it’s handy to ask the breeder if an evaluation for these conditions has taken place. Eye problems like cataracts also show up from time to time.

The AKC lists Belgian Malinois lifespan as 14-16 years, although other sources go for a more prudent 10-12. Regular health check-ups, tooth cleaning and especially a balanced diet can greatly improve your dog’s lifespan. Despite their high activity level, obesity tends to be a problem in Malinois, so it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s weight and weigh them regularly.

Belgian Malinois mix

How to train a Belgian Malinois

As mentioned earlier, properly training your Belgian Malinois right from the start is absolutely crucial if you want to prevent serious issues down the line. Their drive, protective nature and destructiveness must be channeled somehow! It really works best if they have some kind of “job”, and we don’t just mean “stand around and guard the property”, unless you like your yard wrecked.

If you’re getting your Belgian Malinois as a puppy, it’s probably a good idea to take them to puppy training classes. Even if you’re experienced in dog training, these classes are a great place to expose your dog to other dogs and people from an early age. Building positive associations with new individuals and places is important from the start. Even outside the classes, work on the basic commands and spend plenty of time bonding. You’ll be astounded at how easily your Malinois picks up new tricks, even from a very young age.

Older Belgian Malinois dogs can be enrolled in agility classes, obedience training, schutzhund competitions (tracking, obedience and protection) or really whatever you can think of to keep that smart brain busy. Seriously, they’re good at pretty much anything they put their mind to, as long as they receive good guidance from their owner. It helps if you’re an active individual and can take your dog with you while hiking, jogging or biking. Some folks even end up volunteering with local search and rescue organizations!

Did you know? Belgian Malinois are herders, which means they can attempt to herd you and other people. This can get a bit intense and involve the dog chasing and nipping at people’s heels, so it’s important to know how to distract yours.

Belgian Malinois facts

• The AKC considers the four varieties of Belgian shepherd to be separate breeds, while many other kennel clubs worldwide do not.
• Wikipedia has a section dedicated to “Notable Belgian shepherds”, mostly dogs used to assist in high-profile military operations. They’re all Malinois.
• Are you interested in giving a Belgian Malinois a good home? There’s an organization in the US dedicated to rehoming them: ABMR.
• Breeders have dedicated themselves to producing different lines within the Belgian Malinois dog breed. Some are more focused on family life, while others are bred specifically for a strong biting instinct. There are also Malinois meant especially for showing.

Belgian Malinois owner insights

As part of the research for this care guide, we spoke with Wass, who’s in his late 20s and recently adopted a Belgian Malinois mix puppy. Although he’s got plenty of experience being around dogs, including having owned herders like German shepherds, he states that “honestly, I’ve never had a dog that was this smart before. He’s incredibly intelligent and sociable, but also pretty crazy at times. Very protective and curious, always getting himself into things.”

About the right type of owner for a dog like his, he stresses “I don’t think they’re the best for beginners or people who want lots of hugs and snuggles. He likes to cuddle when he’s tired, but it’s just not something that’s on his radar when he’s wide awake. He’s much more about physical activity and especially mental stimulation. Compared to other breeds, I’d say they need a lot more time dedicated to them daily to prevent them from getting bored. If you can provide that, you’re on the path to the best dog you’ve ever had.”

Conclusion

Before we wrap up this Belgian Malinois dog breed care guide, we want to point out the sheer amount of Malinois dogs (and similar herding breeds) that end up abandoned. It’s very common for people to be attracted by their “cool” reputation as police dogs and adopt a puppy, only to find out later that they’re absolutely not prepared.

This is why it’s a great idea to check your local animal shelter first if you’re interested in adopting a Belgian Malinois, although it’s important to keep in mind that some dogs can have severe behavioral issues due to lack of training in early life. Unless you’re prepared and experienced in dog training, this can become problematic and lead to the dog being abandoned again. And that’s a shame: they may be working dogs first, but a Belgian Malinois can also make a dedicated and extremely loving pet.