Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) – Pastoral
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The Belgian Shepherd Dog – Malinois
Image: Jessi et Nono/Shutterstock.com
The Special Forces version of the Belgian Shepherd Dogs!
Quick Overview
Name: The Malinois or the Mechelse Herder
Size: 66 cm at their tallest
Weight: 30 kg as a full-grown adult male
Grooming: Infrequent
Training: They are fairly easy to train. Intelligent and agile.
Exercise: Best suited to working-dog status i.e. near-constant
Origins: Flemish Mechelen
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Breed Type: Pastoral (herding dog)
The history behind the Malinois
Shepherding dogs have tended the flocks of Belgium for thousands of years. They were native to the area and became man’s best friend when he started keeping sheep in the marvellous pasturelands of Belgium. Through the generations, the Belgian sheepdog helped the farmers run their land. Around 1891, the Belgian Shepherd Association noticed that everyone was showing up to dog shows with breeds of Belgian Shepherd that looked nothing like one another. They started to classify them into groups.
The Malinois was not identified as a breed in its own right until 1959, despite having been brought to America in 1911. Their identification made them the fourth type of Belgian Shepherd and no others have emerged since. The Malinois takes its name from Malines, a city in northwest Belgium where it is thought they were originally bred. Hundreds of years and thousands of miles later, and they are now the type of dog used in the White House.
True Working Dogs
The Malinois is never happier than when they are working. Although formally classified as pastoral by the UK Kennel Club, and as the Herding Group by the AKC, they have the giant hearts of working dogs. They make excellent detection dogs and are prized by people like the military police or sniffer dog services. They are fantastic in canine agility courses but are frequently used as defence dogs. They are body-guard quality animals. Since the Malinois has been bred to work hard and play hard, they can look quite different from one another. Some allowance is made for this in the breed standard.
Malinois can be kept as pets by those who have an active lifestyle where the dog can come with you, day-to-day. Farmers will love their herding skills and those out in the field all day will love them for the company. They are quick, intelligent, and ferocious if they are professionally trained. This is NOT the kind of dog you get as a pet if you haven’t got any experience.
Fun Facts About your Malinois Belgian Shepherd Puppy!
That’s right! Every breed has a fun streak in it somewhere. So listen up! If you are the proud owner of a tiny Malinois Belgian Shepherd dog then we have the favoured choice of Five Minutes Spare fun facts all for you, right here:
- When you own one of these pooches you have a choice in dog owner clubs. You can join the Belgian Shepherd Dog Association of Great Britain, the non-specific BSD club, or you can join the more elite American Belgian Malinois Club. The choice is yours.
- The US Secret Service – that’s the people that guard the president – use Malinois guard dogs. You might spot them on the TV, guarding the White House!
- The majority of Malinois out there are actually working dogs. They are excellent scent dogs and are often used in airport security or in detection jobs.
- In the Kruger National Park in South Africa, a single Malinois has helped to stop over 100 poachers by sniffing them out and helping authorities arrest them. This doggo has stopped poachers, armed with guns, on its own! They call him Killer and we don’t think there has ever been a better dog ever.
Malinois also work with the Navy Seals, took part in the operation that killed Bin Laden, help the Israeli Defence Forces, and are the breed of choice in the Royal Australian Air Force as well as the Indian National Security Guard. In a phrase, don't mess with them!
The Malinois, in short, is a badass.
Like the Hulk says - "Don't Make Me angry - You Won't Like Me When I Am Angry"
Image: DTeibe Photography/Shutterstock.com
How Much Exercise does a Malinois need?
These are a working breed, so they need to be kept busy. Unfortunately, while other Belgian Shepherd dogs will get away with a couple of hours of walking per day, doggy brain puzzles won’t do it for the Malinois. They need plenty of space, plenty of activity, and respond well when they are given jobs or tasks to complete even when at rest. If you don’t have the lifestyle, don’t’ get a Malinois. It isn’t fair on the dog.
How Often Do You Groom Them?
They are a short-haired version of a Belgian Shepherd dog that kind of looks like a short-haired GSD. They often have that cute black muzzle and ferocious shark-sized teeth. Washing them once in a while will do and they won’t need to be brushed too regularly given their short coat. Keep in mind though that regular brushing does help with shedding and that you still need to do their teeth and toenails regularly, even if you don’t give them a bath every month.
What About Training?
The Malinois is known to be intelligent enough to learn through repetition of positivity. Don’t shout at your dog, never raise your hands to them, and take them to obedience classes so that the words you use are enough to correct them. We are aware that the type of people attracted to ‘hard’ dogs like the Malinois is the same sort of people who tell you they need to ‘break the dog’s temper’. This is animal abuse and never works. Go to doggy training and do it the right way.
Are They a Healthy Dog Breed?
All Belgian Shepherd Dogs have a bit of an issue with their thyroid, so it is worth getting that checked out if you are buying a new puppy. Hip or Elbow Dysplasia is also a possibility so ensure you have a vet trip early on.
Where Can I Buy A Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois Puppy?
This little cutie will grow into your best friend ever if you treat them right.
Image: DTeibe Photography/Shutterstock.com
You will be able to find one through your local kennel club or through your local shelter. Other channels are not so reliable and the last thing you want is a Malinois puppy with no papers and no family history. There are reliable breeders out there though it's just a case of doing your homework.
Got Five Minutes?
Thought the Malinois was right for you but having second thoughts? That’s OK. It’s better that you find out now than after you have had a new puppy for six months before realising you are too much of a couch lover to cope. Check out some of our other potential pets by popping over to the dogs directory in the Five Minutes Spare pages. We can’t promise you’ll find your perfect partner, but we can promise it will be fun to read about some other awesome breeds.
