Description:
The Belgian Malinois breed is a medium-sized and a square-built dog that is notable for its black ears and black pointed muzzle. It is often mistaken for a German shepherd as it resembles it at first glance.
The males typically weigh between 60 and 80 lbs and are 24-26 inches tall, and the females weigh between 40 and 65
lbs and stand between 22 and 24 inches, They have a double coat that is short and smooth, with no curling or waves.
this breed has a deep chest, a good straight top line, and a wide long skull. They have tight tips and the teeth meet in a level or scissor bite. They have erect ears that are triangular. The tail is strong and reaches to the hock.
Their legs are straight and their feet are cat-like. The eyes are brown and evenly spaced the typical color of these dogs is fawn and mahogany along with various black markings. Their tail, underbody, and back end are fawn. The ears, nose, mask, and tips are black. The Hair around the neck looks like a collar and is slightly longer than the rest of the body.
History:
This breed has got its name from the city of Malinois in the country of Belgium where it was developed in the late 1800s.
The Belgian Malinois is a native of Belgium and one of the four varieties of Belgian shepherd dogs. The other three varieties are the Tervuren, the Groenendael, and the Laekenois (All are named after Belgian villages) and there is hot debate as to which to recognize by the clubs and standards. Some clubs, like the AKC since 1959, recognize three of the breeds. The UKC registry does accept all four as varieties of one breed.
This dog is a working dog that was initially bred as sheep-herding dog, but they are now more commonly used for narcotics and police work, bomb and drug detection, search and rescue, and protection. They can even sled and cart pull.
They are occasionally seen competing in dog shows and have become a very highly respected dog in various dog sports such as Schutzhund where obedience, protection, and using the nose for tracking is put to the test.
Temperament:
The Belgian Malinois are intelligent and alert with a confident, strong, protective, and territorial nature. They can be trained to master a wide variety of tasks/roles. They have a high desire to work and are at their best when they are regularly put to an activity as they have extremely high energy levels.
You will need to be firm with consistent rules and natural leadership qualities, to gain the best from this breed. They need training, daily exercise, and companionship. If they don’t get their mental and physical needs, they can be very destructive but They are extremely obedient when trained right.
You should also seek to socialize them from a young age as they are naturally aloof/cautious with strangers.
They may not get along well with other dogs or pets, as they have a strong prey drive and can be dominant and aggressive towards other animals so care must be taken when introducing this breed to other pets. However, it is still possible that they can coexist with them. they just need to be well trained and socialized to interact positively with other animals by Introducing them to your new environments and Letting them engage with other dogs often.
Health issues:
The average lifespan of the Belgian Malinois is 12 – 14 years
It is a fairly healthy breed but some diseases are slightly more prevalent in the Malinois such as cataracts, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and thyroid disease.
care:
In order to take care of your Malinois, you will need to maintain a care routine by brushing their teeth at least twice a week, clean their ears weekly and trim their nails every month to protect them from breaking and becoming overgrown. You should also brush their fur with a bristle brush regularly (at least once a week) and remove any clumps of loose fur when necessary and do it more often during twice-yearly shedding seasons; spring and fall.
Regular baths are not typically necessary for Malinois. However, the occasional bath will help them stay clean. They can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no longer than every 6 weeks.
Physical exercise and playing in an open area is required daily to avoid boredom and keep them happy and healthy. And because of their extremely active lifestyle, they obviously need a healthy diet to provide them with the right nutrients to keep them going.
