The Belgian Shepherd Malinois is one of the four Belgian Sheepdogs and it is considered to be an obedient and bright dog. It has strong protective and territorial skills, so it needs to socialize from an early age. Not only because of this, but because there is the risk of becoming too sensitive and shy. If you decide to buy or adopt such a dog, you should get in touch with someone who is experienced with this breed.
Character
Mostly used as a work dog, for police, or search and rescue missions, this type of dog is also quite good as a pet if the owner trains it properly. This is a loyal, alert, and very playful dog, but it requires constant stimulation. The Belgian Shepherd Malinois needs daily exercise and leadership, as well as training and lots of companionship. Without these, the dog might become not only hard to handle but also destructive. The breed is known for how fast it manages to comprehend rules, and owners also value their high mental capacity and high energy. You will need to be extremely careful when you introduce your dog to a small, non-canine pet, because in these situations, the dog wants to be dominant. So, the owner has to be capable of transmitting that dominance as an unwanted behavior.
Keep in mind that the Belgian Shepherd Malinois may show signs of herding behavior like circling and chasing, and also may want to move for hours, as well as nip at people's heels. Needless to say, your dog has to learn that this sort of behavior is not accepted. Remember that you are dealing with a very demanding dog who needs an experienced owner to control it. Otherwise, the Shepherd Malinois will cause many problems. The way you handle the dog will have a great influence on its aggressiveness and temperament.
Appearance
Males have a height between 21 and 26 inches (61 and 66 cm) and the females measure between 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm). Weight varies between 55 to 65 pounds (24 to 29 kg). Often described as having a square-shaped body, the Belgian Shepherd Malinois has a deep chest, while its head is proportional to the rest of the body. It has a flat skull, and the length and width are of the same distance. Its almond-shaped, medium-sized eyes are brown.
The tail of the dog is strong at its base. Its coat is weather-resistant. The color of this coat is fawn to red or mahogany to black, and the interesting thing is that the hairs have black tips. The ears and mask are black, while the back end and the tail are a lighter fawn.
Health & Hygiene
This is a healthy and hardy breed that doesn't have any major health concerns, but there are several minor ones, including eye problems, elbow dysplasia, excessive aggressiveness, and various skin allergies. Its short-haired, smooth coat is easy to groom, but bathing the pet should be done only when it is absolutely necessary.
All in all, if it has a strong master, the Belgian Shepherd Malinois can be a very obedient and pleasant companion.
