Belgian Malinois
Breed Description - see AKC for detailed standard
Photo is Trevor Touvila
The Belgian Malinois was bred around the city of Malines, Belgium from whence the name is derived.
In 1911, the first shorthaired Belgian Shepherds (Belgian Blackie and Belgian Mouche) were registered with the AKC.
The Belgian Malinois is one of four types of Belgian sheepherding dogs registered in Belgium and France as the Chien de Berger Belge. The other varieties are the Tervuren (longhaired fawn), Groenendael (longhaired black) and Laekenois (wirehaired).
The Belgian Malinois is proud, agile, strong, and full of life.
The Belgian Malinois's coat is short and straight. The coat is easy to care for, but should be groomed regularly to keep healthy.
The Belgian Malinois is a large, very confident dog. He is naturally possessive of his owner, but he is not an aggressive dog. This is a dog that likes to work.
The Belgian Malinois is a well balanced, square dog, elegant in appearance with an exceedingly proud carriage of the head and neck. The dog is strong, agile, well muscled, alert, and full of life. He stands squarely on all fours and viewed from the side, the topline, forelegs, and hind legs closely approximate a square. The whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. The male is usually somewhat more impressive and grand than his female counterpart, which has a distinctly feminine look.
The expression should indicate alertness, attention and readiness for activity, and the gaze is intelligent and questioning.
The movement is smooth, free and easy, seemingly never tiring. The breed shows a marked tendency to move in a circle rather than a straight line.
Correct temperament is essential to the working character of the Belgian Malinois. The breed is confident, exhibiting neither shyness nor aggressiveness in new situations. The dog may be reserved with strangers but is affectionate with his own people. He is naturally protective of his owner's person and property without being overly aggressive. The Belgian Malinois possesses a strong desire to work and is quick and responsive to commands from his owner. Faulty temperament is strongly penalized.
Life span 12-15 years
also see Belgian Shepherd
Breed problems can be both inherited or diseases and disorders seen frequently in a breed and mode of inheritance unknown. Both are listed.
Breed problemsHip dysplasia
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism
Progressive retinal atrophyThere have been reports of muscular dystrophy in Belgian Groenendaeler shepherds, as an inherited disorder.
The Malinois is working incresingly in the US as a Police Dog and we also see it used as a Military Dog. Since this confident, intelligent strong Dog has such a strong work drive, this type of work is well suited for the breed.
Photo is Lera TouvilaThis page was last edited 04/29/08
