Belgian Malinois

The Belgian sheepherding breeds, collectively known as Chiens de Berger Belge, shared their early history as general-purpose shepherds and guard dogs of Belgium. As working dogs, they were bred for ability rather than aesthetics, and no careful records were kept. 

The Belgian Malinois breed remains the most popular of the Belgian shepherd breeds in its native land but has had a rockier road in America. Between 1911 and World War II, the Malinois became popular. After World War II registrations plummeted. When the Belgian breeds were separated in 1959, Malinois registrations began to grow again, but they still fell far behind the other Belgian breeds.

Malinois are growing in popularity thanks to their reputation as one of the preeminent police dogs in the world, surpassing even the German Shepherd in demand. 

The ideal Malinois dog owner has the time and effort needed to devote to such a smart, relentless dog. They will need to participate in advanced training for this fast-thinking, reactive dog, who loves to be outdoors and wants to invest time in training. It helps that owners are fit and athletic themselves. The best Malinois owners are steady, calm, and sensible.

Clear your calendar, because the Malinois needs daily exercise, plus training and mental stimulation in the form of work or sport. This is not a relaxed companion breed—in fact, these high-energy turbo-charged dogs need to be taught to relax. Leash walking won’t cut it; they need a vigorous play session, a good jog, or the ability to run free and herd.

The Belgian Malinois dog does not require a huge home, but a large secure outdoor area to train and play in is a must for them to play Parkour-style. They will do better in a quieter location without the constant over-stimulation of passing traffic or pedestrians. Better in the leafy suburbs or countryside, this dog is likely to find city life overstimulating and stressful.

The Malinois is a short-haired dog with a woolly undercoat. The hair is thicker on the tail and around the neck. The hindquarters have longer hair and the tail is bushy. With a low-maintenance coat, the Malinois dog breed just needs grooming once a week.

The Belgian Malinois dog breed thrives on work and problem-solving. Clever and able to complete a large number of tasks quickly and well, these training junkies need advanced training. Positive reinforcement works best for this surprisingly sensitive breed, and they appreciate play and the opportunity to bite, chase, and tug. They are rewarding to work with, but they require a lot of effort, making them more of a lifestyle than a simple pet companion.

Belgian Malinois dogs are unlikely to do well around small children, although there are exceptions. They require a lot of time and effort, which makes them better suited to someone who works with dogs and who has an active and outdoorsy lifestyle.

The cost of a Belgian Malinois from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.