Malinois

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.

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.

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.

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.