These wonderful guard dogs have been under the radar for a long time. People sometimes confuse them for German Shepherd dogs or some other dog breed. But, they couldn’t be more off the charts.

Belgian Malinois is a superb guard dog! 

They will surprise you with their energy, personality, and hard-working nature. 

It is time to learn more about one of the best guard dogs around the world – the amazing Belgian Malinois.

1. Belgian Malinois Size

Belgian Malinois is a slender and muscular medium to large dog. Their lean appearances often put them in the medium group, however they grow up to 26 inches tall and can weigh more than 70 pounds.

The size of both male and female Belgian Malinois are:

• Male Height: up to 26 inches
• Male Weight: up to 80 pounds
• Female Height: up to 24 inches
• Female Weight: up to 60 pounds

As you can see, it is a large dog that needs enough space and will require a diet rich in proteins to keep it healthy and in good shape.

2. Belgian Malinois Color

Their color, pointy ears, and long muzzle are the reasons people often mistake this breed with another equally great guard dog breed – the famous German Shepherd.

However, the mistake can be made on the first look, and with paying a bit more attention, the differences become obvious. 

According to the AKC, there are two standard colors: 

• Fawn
• Mahogany 

And, there is one marking – a black mask.

Of course, these are AKC-accepted colors. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other fabulous-looking coat color variations and patterns.

Some of the most popular but rare colors and patterns are:

• Black
• Brindle
• Cream 
• Blue 

If you are not interested in AKC-approved colors or if you live across the pond, then you will be happy to know that the Royal Kennel Club of the Great Britan accepts far more coat colors. Thirteen different coat colors, to be exact.

3.  Belgian Malinois Social Traits

Belgian Malinois is a hard-working dog, but don’t mistake their hard-working nature with the lack of desire to bond with their human. On the contrary, Belgian Malinois is a loyal and loving friend that will stand by your side no matter what.

They do tend to bond with one person in the family the most, but that won’t stop them from protecting everyone. They will just reserve the most doggy kisses for one person.

That is usually the one that has been with them from the early days, going through the socialization and training process with them.

So, what to expect:

• Bonds with one person
• Good with children but needs proper socialization
• Good with other dogs but needs proper socialization
• Needs proper socialization with other animals 

All of this means they can be great family dogs, but they need a bit more work to be completely safe and relaxed when introducing them to other animals or dogs or your children.

4.  Belgian Malinois Trainability

If you are looking for a dog that can be easily trained, look no more! Belgian Malinois is a dog for you! They are smart and hard-working which makes them ideal candidates for training. 

Many studies try to test and rank dogs according to their intelligence. In the recent studies done by Helsinki University, the Belgian Malinois is the smartest dog. Some agree with the results, some oppose them.

But, no matter the studies – everyone agrees that Belgian Malinois IS one of the smartest dogs! And, we’re not just talking about guard dogs, but dog breeds in general!

You won’t have too much trouble teaching a Belgian Mal all the tricks and commands. One of the reasons is their high desire to please their owners.

It’s in their blood to be the best pup in the pack and when you are in charge, they follow.

5. Belgian Malinois Activity Needs

Belgian Malinois are agile, fast, and they can jump quite high! There is no fence they can’t jump over (or try to!). This energy makes them enduring and reliable guard dogs. 

Rain, snow, after or before another task they will relentlessly watch over and protect.

However, this can turn out to be a negative trait for some dog owners. 

Why? Well, if not mentally and physically stimulated, these dogs tend to become aggressive and anxious. 

They will need at least 2 hours of daily exercise! If you think you’re not up to this amount of activity, step away. This dog shines the brightest when it has enough physical and mental stimulation.

6. Belgian Malinois Feeding Guide

Active dogs tend to eat more. It’s the math you need to do before you add this dog to your family, whether as a guard dog or a family pet. This means you will have to be prepared to put aside a serious sum of money from your budget, especially if you plan on having two of them.

They will need high-quality food, no matter if you plan on feeding them dry food or homemade meals.

Generally speaking, one adult Belgian Malinois needs 2.5 to 3 cups of kibble (dry food) daily. This, of course, includes dog food rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. Brands like Purina Pro Plan or Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food are great choices if you don’t know where to start.

7. Belgian Malinois Grooming Requirements

Belgian Malinois has a short, smooth, and waterproof coat. They are easy to groom. All you need is a good grooming brush or a grooming kit. 

There are numerous grooming brushes you can buy that are not hard on your budget. One example is the Pet Grooming Brush from Docrok.

However, like most dog breeds, they shed more profusely twice a year. During this period, you will need to brush them more frequently and more thoroughly.

So, what to use:

• Firm and bristle brush 
• Once a week
• Twice a week or more during shedding seasons

8. Belgian Malinois Possible Health Issues

This is relatively a healthy dog breed with a large lifespan – around 16 years! However, like all large dog breeds, they are in danger of bloat and hip dysplasia.

Other possible health problems are:

• Cataracts
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Hemangiosarcoma 
• Elbow dysplasia 

Making sure you get the puppy from a responsible breeder is the first step to having a dog that will be and stay healthy throughout its life. 

To Sum It Up

Belgian Malinois will not let you down. They will tirelessly protect your home and at the same time give you love and show endless loyalty. 

But! There is always a but… 

This is not a dog for people who cannot give their pet proper physical and mental stimulation. This goes for all dogs (and pets in general), but Belgian Mals are truly energetic dogs that MUST have their proper dose of exercise to keep them healthy both mentally and physically.

Keep that in mind before bringing a Belgian Malinois to your home.