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Meet the Belgian Malinois, a breed renowned for its intelligence, agility, and unwavering loyalty. Often mistaken for the German Shepherd, the Malinois stands out with its unique characteristics and exceptional work ethic. Whether you’re considering adding one to your family or simply intrigued by this remarkable breed, let’s delve into what makes the Belgian Malinois truly special.
The Belgian Malinois is a medium-to-large herding dog, originating from Belgium. With a strong, elegant build, these dogs are known for their high energy levels and keen intelligence. Their short, fawn to mahogany coats, complemented by a black mask and ears, give them a distinctive and proud appearance.
Breed Group
Group 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Sub-Group
10-B: Large Pastoral Dogs
Other Name(S)
Belgian Malinois, Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois), Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois, Belgian Shepherd Dog, Malinois, Chien de Berger Belge, Malinois.
Weight
Males: 55-66 pounds. Females: 44-55 pounds.
Height
Males: 23-27 inches. Females: 21-25 inches.
Dogs have been an integral part of Belgium’s history, with shepherd dogs appearing as far back as medieval times. Before modern dog breeds were established, dogs were bred for their function rather than appearance, with each working dog shaped to suit its job, whether that meant being large or small, short-coated or long-coated, and every variation in between, depending on the physical characteristics selected for to perform a certain job, the genetics available in a certain population, and regional style or preference. This was true for the shepherds’ dogs of Belgium.
It wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century when Professor Adolphe Reul of the Belgian School of Veterinary Science realized that, while the regional working dogs were different in some aspects such as coat type, color, and coat length, they were also similar in size, working style, and overall type. He categorized them into eight different varieties, which were then further condensed down to the four varieties that we see today. This includes the Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, and the Tervuren.
In Belgium, where this unique dog breed originated, all four varieties were once considered part of a single breed, often appearing in the same litters before formal categorization. However, some other organizations consider them four separate breeds. Continental Kennel Club considers them four varieties of the same breed: the Belgian Sheepdog.
During World War II, the Belgian Malinois, known for its intelligence, trainability, and fearless nature, proved invaluable in various roles. Serving as messenger dogs, scouts, and guard dogs, Malinois displayed exceptional courage and loyalty, assisting soldiers in critical tasks. This legacy has cemented the Malinois’ reputation as a versatile and dedicated working dog.
Head:
Somewhat Mesaticephalic to almost dolichocephalic in skull-type. Strongly developed, moderate in size, rectilinear, shaped like an elongated wedge, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is moderately wide, with a flat plane. The median furrow is not well defined. The occiput, brow, and zygomatic arches are only slightly developed. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkle.
Ears:
Somewhat small in size, set high on the skull, and triangular in shape with pointed tips, carried firmly erect. When alert, tips pointing straight up. The ears are never overly long, overly large, or broken.
Eyes:
Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, obliquely set, and medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Muzzle:
The muzzle is of a moderately long length and strongly developed. It tapers gradually toward the tip of the nose, giving the head the appearance of an elongated wedge. The plane of the muzzle is straight or slightly convex. Upper and lower jaws have good bone substance, are strong, well developed, never appearing snipey or weak. Upper and lower jaws split wide apart at hinge, revealing back molars when the mouth is held opened.
Neck:
Moderate length to allow for proud head carriage, strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Nose:
The nose is well-pigmented and black, or self-colored according to the coat. The nostrils are well-opened.
Chest:
Deep, broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body:
Powerful, solid, and with good substance without appearing heavy, coarse, or bulky. Capable of great endurance, agility, and performance, without appearing racy or refined. Width at forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Tail:
Set neither high nor low on the croup, but as a natural extension of the topline. Thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. Carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, but never tucked or carried up over the back. Of a somewhat long length with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints, or below, when held down. Tail may be straight, gently curved, or with gently curved toward the tip.
Energetic, efficient, effortless, tireless, and agile. The characteristics of healthy structure are evident: when moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither moving in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in a line with the nose. The width between the forefeet when extended should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Belgian Sheepdogs are confident, active, energetic, watchful, and devoted dogs. They retain the qualities honed over centuries in Belgium, making this dog breed not only an excellent working dog but also an unmatched companion for the right owner or family. They are highly intelligent, highly agile, very powerful, and well aware of their capabilities. They can become very protective of their people, family, and property, making them excellent watchdogs. Training, socialization, and a regular “job” are necessities for these dogs, since they can prevent the intelligence, protective instincts, strength, and energy of the breed from leading into behavioral problems down the road. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
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