Malinois
Written by Natalie Decker
© Mikkel Bigandt / stock.adobe.com
The Malinois is a short-haired breed of the Belgian Shepherd.
The clever, teachable Malinois loves to solve tasks. This trait makes the alert, spirited quadruped a sought-after service dog for the police and customs. However, those who wish to keep it purely as a family or companion dog must ensure a challenging sports and activity program. Otherwise, behavioural problems may arise.
Table of contents
- Appearance: Short-haired Belgian Shepherd
- Character: Is a Malinois aggressive?
- Keeping and engaging the high-performance herding dog
- Minimal effort in care and nutrition
- Health: Indestructible quadrant
- History: Where does the Malinois come from?
- Getting a Malinois: Where can I find one?
- Fact Sheet on Malinois
Appearance: Short-haired Belgian Shepherd
The Malinois is a short-haired variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog. It is distinguished from other members of this breed – the Groenendael, Laekenois, and Tervueren – only by the colour and texture of its fur. In all other aspects, the four types of Belgian Shepherds are alike.
Fawn-coloured fur with a black mask
The short fur of this canine is typically fawn-coloured with a black clouding, meaning that the tips of the hairs are black. This particular fur colouration is also known as “Charbonnage”. The French word can be translated as “coal mine”. What’s with this term? Quite simply: the Malinois’s coat looks as if one has run a sooty hand over it. Depending on how pronounced the “Charbonnage” effect is, the coat may appear light, sandy, reddish-brown, dark brown, or greyish. The black mask of this dog is also characteristic.
© beatrix kido / stock.adobe.com
Character: Is a Malinois aggressive?
The original role of the attentive, courageous Malinois was that of a herding and driving dog. Accordingly, this quadruped is sporty, willing to work, and spirited. Depending on its individual socialisation and training, its character can be timid, affectionate, or aggressive.
However, the breed standard considers a timid, nervous and aggressive disposition as a disqualifying fault. This dog should behave neutrally towards strangers. Furthermore, the Malinois is known as a curious, playful dog that wants to be physically and mentally challenged well into old age.
Is the Malinois a family dog?
Fundamentally, the sensitive Belgian can be kept well as a family dog. However, it must be accustomed from an early age to contact with people, other dogs, as well as other (domestic) animals. Moreover, this athletic shepherd needs sufficient activity to show its empathetic, friendly side at home.
Keeping and engaging the high-performance herding dog
A Malinois that is not challenged sufficiently can develop behavioural disorders such as aggression. Therefore, it is important to provide this willing working and working dog with breed-appropriate tasks.
Dog sports like Agility or Mantrailing are suitable for this. The slim, compact Belgian also excels as a loyal companion when cycling, jogging or horse riding. A mere walk is not enough for it.
The Malinois as a guard and police dog
In addition, daily exercise in a well-secured garden can satisfy the movement drive of this agile herding dog. Here, it can also indulge its passion for guarding and protecting its family.
Due to its intelligence, eagerness to learn, keen sense of smell, and close bond with its handler, the Malinois is often used as a service dog by the police. It excels in tasks such as detecting drugs, explosives, cadavers, or avalanche victims.
Is a Malinois hard to train?
Training it requires a lot of empathy, patience, and a firm understanding of dogs. Instead of excessive severity, clear leadership and loving consistency are required. The sensitive four-legged friend responds to disproportionate harshness with distrust. As a beginner’s dog, this demanding furry companion is thus not suitable.
Minimal effort in care and nutrition
The short, dense fur requires little care. Only during the moulting period must the dirt-repellent coat be regularly brushed. An active, enduring working dog like the Malinois needs high-quality, protein-rich food to meet its energy requirements. Whether dry food, wet food, or BARF is used depends on the dog’s needs and the preferences of its owner.
Health: Indestructible quadrant
The Malinois is considered a robust quadruped, with few breed-specific ailments known. Only elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and cerebellar ataxia are occasionally observed. Hip dysplasia seems to occur somewhat more frequently than in the other three representatives of the breed.
How old does a Malinois get?
The indestructible Belgian is active outdoors in all weathers. Neither rain, cold, nor heat bother it. Its average lifespan is quite high at 10 to 14 years – with some individuals living even longer.
History: Where does the Malinois come from?
The Belgian dog lover Louis Huyghebaert (1868 – 1952) is considered the founding father of the breed. Under the name Ter Heide, he bred short-haired Belgian Shepherds, fascinated by their intelligence and fine sense of smell. In 1898, a club for short-haired Belgian Shepherd Dogs was founded in Malines within the already existing BSH club. Malines is the French name of the Flemish city Mechelen, after which the Malinois was named. Mechelaar or shortened Mali are other names for this type of shepherd dog.
© OlgaOvcharenko / stock.adobe.com
Getting a Malinois: Where can I find one?
Those looking to welcome a Malinois into their family should turn to a reputable breeder. Only if the drive-strong dog is well socialised as a puppy can it later shine as a calm family dog.
How much does a Malinois cost?
Purebred Malinois puppies are available from approximately 1,000 euros, crossbreeds are often a bit cheaper. However, animals descended from award-winning working dogs can be significantly more expensive.
Trip to the animal shelter
As many dog lovers underestimate the training effort and the urge to move of the energetic Belgian, the Malinois relatively often ends up in animal shelters. It is therefore worth asking about this type of shepherd dog at the local animal protection facility. Conclusion: Demanding furry companion for professionals
Due to its low frustration tolerance and its protective instinct, the Malinois belongs in the hands of experienced dog lovers. Only when the eager, fearless dog learns from an early age that not every everyday situation requires its qualities as a protector can it enrich family life.
Fact Sheet on Malinois
| Quick info: | The Malinois is a short-haired representative of the Belgian Shepherd breed. It is especially popular as a service dog with the police and customs. |
| Withers height: | up to 66 cm |
| Weight: | 25-30 kg |
| Average lifespan: | 10-14 years |
| Price: | from 1,000 euros |
| Temperament: | attentive, spirited, agile, vigilant |
| Fur: | short, smooth, dense |
| Fur colour: | fawn with black clouding and a black mask |
| Training effort: | high |
| Grooming effort: | low |
| Exercise needs: | high |
| Origin: | Belgium |
Here are some purchase proposals curated by the zooplus editorial team
The products featured have been carefully selected by our editorial staff and are available at the zooplus online pet shop. The selection does not constitute advertising for the mentioned brands.
"A life without a pug is possible, but pointless," Loriot once said. I would unreservedly agree and add: "A life without horse, cat and rabbit as well!" My heart beats for all animals big and small and I have the great fortune to be able to write about my passion as a freelance author. With my articles I would like to raise awareness for animal welfare and give useful tips to animal lovers.
Feedback
Was this article helpful?
Our most helpful articles
10 min
71
Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a pioneer amongst designer dogs. Whilst there are serious endeavours in Australia to establish this Poodle and Labrador Retriever hybrid as a stand-alone breed, most specimens found in Europe aren't bred according to a standard.
11 min
62
Chihuahua
This small dog breed has the most famous owners across the globe and one of the highest life expectancies. The Chihuahua is a dog of superlatives that feels at home in the handbags of Madonna, Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. These Mexican pedigree dogs are far more than just luxury lapdogs.