Belgian Malinois: temperament, training and care
The Malinois is the short-coated variety of the Belgian Shepherd. It takes its name from the city of Mechelen, Malines in French, where it was bred in the late 19th century to herd and guard. Today you mostly see it working with police, the military and search-and-rescue teams. It has a fawn coat, a black mask and a light, muscular build, stands about 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and usually weighs 45 to 65 pounds.
Temperament
The Malinois is exceptionally sharp, fast and devoted, and always wants a job. It bonds intensely with its person and tracks their every move. It tends to be reserved with strangers and protective of home. It reacts in a flash, for better or worse: without work and rules it will invent its own fun, from shredded furniture to endless fence running and barking at every sound.
Good with kids?
★★
It can live with an experienced family and is usually loyal to its people, but it's a poor choice for a typical household with small children. Strong herding and prey drive mean it may chase running kids and grab at clothes. It's also quick and forceful enough to knock a small child over. Life is easier with older kids who respect the rules, but never leave them together unsupervised.
Training and socialization
It learns remarkably fast, unfortunately including the things you'd rather it didn't. It needs consistent handling without harshness, plenty of play and clear rules. Start socialization in puppyhood: people, dogs, traffic, new places. Teaching it to rest matters just as much, since it doesn't know how to switch off on its own. Begin with basic commands and find a trainer with experience of this breed as early as you can. We don't recommend it as a first dog.
Exercise and energy
A walk around the block won't do. Plan on at least two hours of activity a day, with work for the brain as well as the body: tracking, obedience, agility or searching for hidden objects. Lots of mindless running only builds a fitter dog, not a calmer one. There's more in how much exercise a dog needs. Puppies, on the other hand, shouldn't be overdone while their joints develop. It doesn't suit a small apartment without a daily program, and copes badly with long days home alone.
Health and care
The short coat is easy: brush once a week, more often during the two heavy sheds a year. Malinois usually live 12 to 14 years and are among the healthier breeds, though hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions and epilepsy do occur. Choose a breeder who tests the parents and shows you the results. A dog in full training needs good food, and watch for injuries from jumps and sharp turns.
Who is the Malinois for?
It suits active, experienced owners who want to do dog sports or working training and have time for it every day. It isn't right as a first dog, for families with small children, or for anyone looking for an easygoing weekend companion. A Malinois chosen for its looks or from the movies often ends up in a shelter.
You'll find more breeds in our dog breed guide. A somewhat calmer working dog is the German Shepherd, and the Border Collie also needs a lot of mental work. If you're thinking about surgery, read spaying and neutering your dog.
Could you handle the care a Malinois needs?
TestDog simulates real dog care: feeding, walks and exercise measured by your phone's pedometer, in real time. A Malinois needs plenty of exercise, work and a steady routine every day. See if you can keep it up before you get a real dog.