Belgian Malinois, the breed of dog, is famous as a military dog, a police dog, a protection dog and undoubtedly an affectionate family member.
They are strong, athletic, and smart companions with a great need for exercise and energy. Belgian Malinois may not be suitable for the first time dog owner and in a small space such as apartments.
If you are thinking of getting a Belgian Malinois and wondering are Belgian Malinois good family pets? OR Are the Belgian Malinois aggressive?
OR why is the Belgian Malinois used as a police dog? Or detail about the Belgian Malinois personality, temperament, history, care tips and much more, then read this post all the way.
Firstly we start with the history of Belgian Malinois.
History
In the late 1800s, the Belgian Malinois breed was developed for the first time in the city of Malines, in the north-western region of Belgium. Belgian Malinois is one of the varieties of Belgian Sheepdog. Four varieties are:
- Malinois (short and fawn-mahogany coat with black mask)
- Groenendael (long and black coat)
- Tervuren (long and fawn-mahogany coat with black mask)
- Laekenois (rough and fawn coat)
The United Kingdom recognizes all varieties as one breed, but the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes three varieties as one, except Laekenois. Since 1959, Malinois has been recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Belgian Malinois has been recognized as a herding dog in his homeland. They were brought to America in 1911. The Mals were popular until World War II began. After 1960, their population and popularity increases.
Now Mals are proudly active as police and army dog and serves with distinction.
Personality and temperament
You can see a lot of variety in the personality of the Belgian Malinois because they have different levels of temperament and aggressiveness. It depends on different factors, such as training, inheritance, and socialization.
They have high demands and needs, so they are only suitable for experienced owners.
The most famous thing about the Belgian Malinois temperament is that they are incredibly hard-working dogs and basically bred to protect livestock. A well-trained Belgian Malinois is smart, friendly, and can be very protective.
The Belgian Malinois is a family dog , and it is difficult for them to live in kennels. They remain protective and confident in any situation for their human family but reserved for strangers. Mals are excellent guard dogs and protect people and their properties by force as needed.
Puppies can be playful and loving with people, which means that you have socialized them early with dogs, people, sounds, sight, and experiences. Socialization will decide how your dog will behave.
Appearance
The Belgian Malinois is an agile, strong, alert, and well-muscled dog. Mals are medium-sized dogs that look like the German shepherd when you first see them. They have short, beige hair with a black mask. They have an elegant appearance with a proud head carriage.
Care tips
As mentioned above, the Belgian Malinois is in great need of exercise, so it should give them enough opportunity to do so. Mals love cold weather, but they are also well adapted to warm weather.
Always keep them inside. If you want to provide your dog with some off-leash exercise, choose the fence areas. They need 60 to 80 minutes of exercise, but in 3 to 4 phases, so 20-minute exercises 3 to 4 times a day are best for the Belgian Malinois. Puppies need less exercise.
They love to walk and jog compared to the simple walk. You must train the Belgian Malinois in agility or obedience. They love to run in a circle like their ancestors, so don’t be surprised.
Mals are sensitive and highly trainable, so stay calm, firm, and consistent with them during training. Never use physical force and anger during training.
Health
The Belgian Malinois is generally considered a healthy breed. Like all breeds, Mals are prone to certain health problems. You can decrease the risk by purchasing the puppy from a reputable breeder and checking the health certificate.
Here are some health conditions that can be commonly present in the Belgian Malinois, such as:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Anesthesia Sensitivity
These tests are recommended by the National Breed Club in Belgian Malinois breeding stock to ensure healthy puppies.
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
Are Belgian Malinois good family pets?
If you have decided to adopt a Belgian Malinois for your family, there are a few things to consider. The Belgian Malinois is a breed that always needs an owner who can provide mental stimulation and physical exercise on a daily basis.
If you can take care of your dog’s physical needs, the Belgian Malinois can be a great pet for our family. In fact, they can be loyal, smart, and the best companion for you and your family. But if you neglect them, the Belgian Malinois can be very aggressive and destructive.
Is Belgian Malinois aggressive?
A Belgian Malinois can be distant and outgoing, but they are never shy, fearful, and aggressive. The Belgian Malinois is considered an excellent watchdog and has the ability to protect when necessary.
If you trained Belgian Malinois from a young age, they could be very accepting. If you left them without socialization training, they could be aggressive.
Why are Belgian Malinois used as police dogs?
Belgian Malinois is becoming a popular choice for police and military dogs, this is due to its immersion for work and its intense focus. Additionally, the Belgian Malinois is smaller and more active than German Shepherd Dogs and is believed to have fewer health problems.
Belgian Malinois vs. German shepherd
Belgian Shepherd Malinois and German shepherd are confused with each other due to similar appearance and fur coat. They differ in lifestyle, behavior, and physical characteristics.
Belgian Malinois is smaller and more aggressive compared to GSD. German shepherds are challenging to train, but the Belgian Malinois can be easily trained and handled.
Belgian Malinois Price
Due to the superior lineage, the Belgian Malinois is very expensive. The cost of the puppy ranges from $ 1000 to $ 2500. If you are looking for a trained adult dog, the price will increase significantly. The average price of the trained guard dog is around $ 20,000.
Conclusion
Belgian Malinois is a confident, versatile, and world-class worker. You must learn about the dog’s personality, temperament, and needs before adopting for an incredible experience in the future.
