The Belgian Malinois: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Belgian Malinois Shepherd is one of the four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd, alongside the Groenendael, the Tervueren and the Laekenois. It descends from the shepherd dogs present in the 19th century in the region of Malines, in Belgium. The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club was founded in September 1891 in order to organize the first selections. The Malinois variety was officially recognized in 1909, and the modern breed standard was established in 2001.

The Belgian Shepherd Malinois has a powerful, harmonious and athletic silhouette, with a straight back, a solid loin and a well let-down chest. Its dry and straight head carries triangular ears, small, set high and erect. Its almond-shaped eyes, brownish to dark, express alertness and intelligence. Its coat is short, fuller on the neck, on the back of the thighs and on the tail. The typical coat is charcoal fawn with a well pronounced black mask; slight white markings on the chest and on the toes are tolerated.

Very close to its owner and its family, the Malinois is affectionate, devoted, loyal and particularly attentive. Quick-witted and very responsive, it has a strong protective instinct and shows courage in the face of a threat. Its dynamic temperament nevertheless requires careful socialization and a stable environment. It can be playful with children, but its power and intensity require supervision and respectful interactions.

The Malinois is above all a working dog that needs a mission, exercise and regular contact with its owner. Long daily outings, thinking games, tracking, obedience, agility or hikes help it channel its energy. It generally prefers a house with a garden, but can live in an apartment if its physical and mental needs are truly met. Insufficient activity can encourage agitation, vocalizations and undesirable behaviors.

His training must begin very early and combine gentleness, consistency, firmness and rewards. Intelligent and eager to cooperate, the Malinois learns quickly through play and appreciates short, varied and stimulating sessions. Brutal methods must be avoided, because this sensitive dog can lose confidence or become tense. Progressive socialization with people, dogs, other animals and different environments is essential.

The price depends on the quality of the selection, health screenings, the pedigree, the reputation of the breeding kennel and the puppy’s intended purpose, companionship, sport or work.

The Belgian Malinois is generally robust and hardy when it benefits from serious selection, suitable activity and regular veterinary follow-up. Like other athletic medium-sized dogs, it can nevertheless be affected by certain joint, ocular or neurological conditions.

The Malinois’s diet must cover an often high energy expenditure without causing weight gain. It must be complete, digestible and suited to its age, its body condition and its actual level of activity.

The Malinois is highly valued by police forces and armies around the world for its scenting ability, its speed, its endurance and its learning ability. A representative of the breed named Max plays the leading role in the film Max, released in 2015 and directed by Boaz Yakin, in which a military dog returns from Afghanistan after the death of its handler.