Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois

The Malinois is one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd dog, (the others being the Laekenois, Tervueren and Groenendael), named for the areas of Belgium they originate from.

Whilst hard working sheepdog types have been recognised in Belgium since the Middle Ages, it was in the 1890s that a professor of the Belgian School of Veterinary Sciences recorded breed standards for the four types. He noted that the main differences were in coat type, and divided the breed into the four types and advised breeding them as separate breeds.

The Malinois was the first to develop a standard type and breed true to that type and remains the most popular of the four today. They were the first Belgian breed to be used as a police dog or border patrol dog, work they excelled at and indeed still do.

The ideal Malinois owner is highly experienced in training fast thinking, hard-biting dogs, loves long walks, adores positive training and is fit and athletic themselves. They’ll be heavily involved in dog sports or training, or a canine-professional, and be a calm, sensible and steady person. This is a dog for a highly motivated owner, who understands the behaviours and needs of working dogs, and who lives and breathes training. 

Needing two hours or more of daily exercise, plus training and mental stimulation in the form of some sort of work or sport, this is not typically a relaxing pet dog for most people. They are highly trainable and can do extremely well at a variety of canine sports, but will need to be taught to relax, that won’t come naturally to most!

The Mali does not require a huge home, but a large secure outdoor area to train and play in is a must. They will do better in a quieter location without the constant over-stimulation of passing traffic or pedestrians, and with access to a variety of interesting walks. Better in the leafy suburbs or countryside, this dog is likely to find towns and cities overstimulating and stressful.

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs.

The Malinois is a short-haired dog with a woolly undercoat. The hair is thicker on the tail and around the neck; the hindquarters have longer hair and the tail is bushy. With a low-maintenance coat, the Malinois dog breed just needs grooming once a week. 

This is the original training junkie, the Belgian Malinois thrives on work and problem solving, using their bodies and their minds. While this clever dog can be trained to complete almost any task, they really get a buzz from chasing and biting, and safe, appropriate outlets for this behaviour must be provided, with training a reliable release from bite toys being a priority. Trained best using positive reinforcement (they are surprisingly sensitive), through play and the opportunity to chase, bite and tug, the Malinois is a rewarding dog to work with, but very much a lifestyle dog, not a hobby dog.

Whilst there will always be exceptions to every rule, the Belgian Malinois is unlikely to be a good pet around small children. The amount of work and time they require from their owner, plus the speed at which they learn and react means this is a dog much better suited to someone who works with dogs, and has an active, outdoors lifestyle.  

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.