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Breed and Dog Insurance Guide: Belgian Malinois

By Christy True and medically reviewed by Jennifer Coates, DVM
published: March 14, 2023 • 5 min. read
Belgian Malinois lying down

Introduction to Belgian Malinoises

As part of the herding group of dogs, the Belgian Malinois is an excellent worker that is smart and confident. It is a versatile dog breed that is easy to bond with and has an elegant appearance. But despite the dog’s hardworking nature, these are people-loving dogs that need a good amount of attention and exercise. They can excel at police and military work, but can also be just as happy with active families who are prepared to provide them with lots of physical and mental activity in exchange for lifelong loyalty.

Here is an overview of the Belgian Malinois so that you can decide whether this is the right dog breed for your personality and lifestyle.

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Size of Belgian Malinoises

When fully grown, a male Belgian Malinois will weigh 60 to 80 pounds, while a female will be more like 40 to 60 pounds. Male Belgian Malinoises are 24 to 26 inches tall, and females are 22 to 24 inches tall. They are large dogs that usually stop gaining weight at about two years of age and stop getting taller around the age of 12 months.

Here’s how big you can expect your Belgian Malinoisto get as the dog grows during the first year. Female weights are on the low end of these ranges, while male weights are on the high end.

Weight Chart3 months6 months9 months12 months
Male and female Belgian Malinoises11-29 lbs.28-59 lbs.37-71 lbs.40-75 lbs.
Belgian Malinois with a police officer.

Characteristics of Belgian Malinoises

A Belgian Malinois is intelligent and energetic with high exercise needs. These dogs need room to move around in and do not typically do well in small spaces, such as apartments, unless their owners are very committed to getting outside to exercise them. They are not the best breed for a first-time dog owner, but they are fairly adaptable to both hot and cold weather. Ultimately, they are high-energy dogs that need a lot of love and care, which you can help give them by enrolling in pet health insurance through Healthy Paws.

As you get to know a Belgian Malinois’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on his or her breed characteristics:

Breed CharacteristicLevel (High, Medium, Low)
Affectionate with PeopleMedium
Good with KidsMedium
Good with PetsLow
Need for ExerciseHigh
Energy LevelHigh
Intelligence LevelHigh
Able to Be TrainedHigh
Amount of BarkingHigh
Amount of SheddingMedium

Belgian Malinois Breed Standard Information

A breed standard is a description of an ideal dog of that breed that serves as a baseline for dogs to be judged at shows. The parent breed club of the Belgian Malinois established this standard, which is now accepted by national and international organizations. For example, the Belgian Malinois is well-balanced, square-shaped, elegant, agile, hardy, and full of life.

Belgian Malinois on white background.

Here is an overview of the breed standard information for Belgian Malinoises:

Head:

  • Carried high and long
  • Medium size, slightly almond-shaped eyes
  • Small and high-set ears
  • Medium length muzzle
  • Thin, tight, and black lips
  • Scissors or level bite

Neck, Topline, Body:

  • Slightly elongated and well-muscled neck
  • Croup very slightly sloped
  • Tail strong at the base and curved and raised when moving

Forequarters:

  • Muscular without excessive bulkiness
  • Dewclaws may be removed
  • Cat-like, well-padded feet

Hindquarters:

  • Powerful without heaviness
  • Dewclaws may be removed
  • Slightly oval hind feet with arched, compact toes

Coat:

  • Short, straight, and hard, to be weather resistant
  • Dense undercoat
  • Hair longer around the neck to form a collarette

Color:

  • Rich fawn to mahogany
  • Black tips on hairs
  • Mask and ears are black
  • Tips of toes may be white

Gait:

  • Smooth, free, and easy gait
  • Fast gait
  • A tendency to move in a circle rather than a straight line

Caring for Belgian Malinoises

A Belgian Malinois just wants a job and to be with family and not left alone outside or in a kennel. These dogs can do nearly anything, from military and police work to sledding, search and rescue, agility courses, and therapy work. They are obedient dogs with strong protective instincts. They’re also quick learners that love playtime and are best for pet parents who have some prior experience with dogs.

Here are some general tips for taking the best care of a Belgian Malinois:

Best Living Environments:

  • Best in homes with older children rather than younger ones
  • Houses with fenced yards
  • Apartments okay if dogs receive enough exercise and mental stimulation
  • Cool climates better than hot ones

Type of Exercise:

  • Long walks on a leash
  • Off-leash time in a fenced area
  • About 20 minutes of activity three or four times per day
  • Hiking and jogging with family members
  • Running alongside a bike

Mental Enrichment:

  • Playing fetch with a ball
  • Obedience training
  • Lots of play time with trusted people
  • Organized activities such as agility or search and rescue training are ideal

Training Strategies:

  • Very trainable dogs with firm and consistent patience
  • Never use anger or force during training
  • Train not to chase moving objects due to high prey drive

Grooming Tips:

  • Minimal grooming needed
  • Brush weekly with a firm bristle brush
  • Bathe only when necessary
  • Shedding is more prominent in the spring and fall
  • Brush teeth daily
  • Trim nails if not worn down naturally in the outdoors

Common Health Problems of Belgian Malinoises

Belgian Malinois at play

The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed of dog that typically lives for 14 to 16 years, which is quite long compared to other breeds of a similar size. However, even this healthy breed is still prone to certain genetic conditions, such as eye problems and hip and elbow dysplasia.

These are some of the most common health issues that arise with Belgian Malinoises:

  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Cataracts
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Possible sensitivity to some types of anesthetics

Diet and Nutrition for Belgian Malinoises

Most adult dogs will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced dog food. Belgian Malinois puppies should generally eat a large breed puppy food until they are around 12-18 months old. If you feed your Belgian Malinois homemade dog food, make sure you are working from a recipe that is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status.

Feed the amount of dog food needed to keep your pet slim. You should be able to see your dog’s waist and feel (but not see) their ribs without having to press too hard. In general, puppies need more calories per day than adults, but a dog’s needs will vary with his or her activity level and other factors. Don’t leave food out all day for a Belgian Malinois to graze on. Divide the total amount of food for the day into at least two meals for adults and three meals for puppies. Place the food out in a bowl at approximately the same time in the morning and evening each day.

Some recommended brands of dog food for Belgian Malinoises are The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food, American Journey Active Life Formula Salmon, Brown Rice, and Vegetable, and Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dog’s diet or health.

Belgian Malinois training

Where to Adopt or Purchase Belgian Malinoises

The American Kennel Club Marketplace has a listing of AKC puppies from AKC litters and breeders who follow the rules and guidelines of this organization. The American Belgian Malinois Club is also a resource for both breeders and rescue organizations that focus on this type of dog. There are nonprofit organizations that help connect Belgian Malinoises to families as well, such as the Malinois and Dutch Shepherd Rescue, Woof Project, and Malinois Mountain Rescue.

Related Breeds

There are other dogs that resemble the Belgian Malinois in terms of physical appearance and personality characteristics. If you like everything that you have been reading about this dog breed so far, then you might also want to learn about these similar and related breeds before making your adoption or purchase decision:

Pet Insurance for Belgian Malinoises

Many Belgian Malinoises live long and healthy lives with few health problems or major accidents due to their good genetics. Yet emergencies can still happen when you least expect it if Belgian Malinois become too rambunctious, get into things they aren’t supposed to, or just get older and their bodies start wearing down.

One of the best things that you can do to take care of your Belgian Malinois is to sign your pup up for pet insurance with Healthy Paws. We offer a #1 customer-rated pet health insurance plan with hundreds of thousands of pets enrolled and flexible premium and deductible options. This is budget-friendly pet insurance that makes it easy to pay for the vet care that your Belgian Malinois needs without thinking twice about the cost.

For your Belgian Malinois pet insurance quote, visit our website today or reach out to us at 855-898-8991 with any questions you have.

Christy True and Tomas
By Christy True

Christy has been writing about pets for Healthy Paws for 35 dog years. She also coordinates media requests. A background in journalism may be why she enjoys writing about offbeat animal studies and the latest viral pet trends. She has been owned by several dogs, and she volunteers with a local dog rescue. Outside of work, she can usually be found sliding down a mountain near her home in Bend, Ore.

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jennifer coates
By Jennifer Coates, DVM

Dr. Jennifer Coates received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. After graduation, she worked for several years in the fields of conservation and animal welfare before pursuing her childhood dream—becoming a veterinarian. She graduated with honors from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has worked as an Associate Veterinarian and Chief of Staff in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. Jennifer is also a prolific writer about all things related to veterinary medicine and the well-being of our animal friends. She has published several short stories and books, including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms, Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian. She currently contributes to the Healthy Paws pet insurance blog as a freelance writer. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys life in Colorado with her family and friends… many of whom walk on four legs.

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