Source Gettyimages. Both breeds are capable of being good family dogs. • Malinois has a square shape body while German shepherd has a rectangular shape with a sloping back. Belgian Malinois come in five standard colors, mostly warm browns, although non-standard colors include cream and gray. In contrast, a male German Shepherd can weigh up to 90 pounds and a female up to 70 pounds. A German Shepherd will be between 75 and 95 pounds, while a Malinois is about 40-80 pounds. On the other hand, the breed standard for the German Shepherd describes a dog that is “longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles.”. Belgian Malinois dogs were originally bred as fiercely loyal herders with an unbreakable work ethic. Lifespan. Although originally bred to herd sheep, the GSD’s gallant nature and steadfast loyalty gained the breed success as a military dog during World War II. Any thought where we could find a pet? Play sessions in a fenced-in area are another fun way to exercise and provide mental stimulation for your dog. As per the American Kennel Club (AKC) German Shephered is the 2nd most popular dog breed, whereas Belgian Malinois ranks 52 on the list. Bathing too frequently can strip out the natural oils that repel moisture and keep the skin healthy. Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training. She has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years and is also known by the names Shepinois, Malinois X and a Belgian Shepherd Malinois. It can take a while to shower a German Shepherd too due to the fact that the external layer is water repellent. In addition, she believes that German Shepherds excel in versatility. I’ve had all kinds of breeds of dogs my entire life but was always drawn to the GSD (my first dog). A number of high-quality resources exist to help you screen a puppy for possible serious health conditions before you make a commitment, including the AKC’s list of recommended breed-specific genetic health tests. They would have to be to face off against a flock of sheep. The under layer is short and thick for insulation, while the outer layer is longer, coarse, and water-repellent. But while they can look very much alike, there are some important differences to be aware of, such as size, temperament, personality and breed-specific health issues. Finally, in 1959 the Belgian Malinois was granted full AKC recognition as a breed of its own, separate from the other Belgian Shepherd Dog varieties. In contrast, the Belgian Malinois is a high energy dog that requires regular exercise and mental stimulation. Our dog came very respectful of household items, furniture etc. For instance, in the Los Angeles Police Department and the US Military, 75% of dogs are Belgian Malinois. The Belgian Malinois’s fur is shorter and straighter. He characterized the variety as a medium-sized square dog with dark brown eyes and triangular ears. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd So, take your time, and remember that what’s important is choosing the dog that best suits your lifestyle and whose needs you will be able to meet. Belgian Malinois. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Cost. For example, the German Shepherd Dog has ranked as the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) second most popular dog year after year and shows no sign of relinquishing the position anytime soon. As he gets older we feed him a little less because he does not “play” at the same high intensity level for long periods of time, but he still is enthusiastic @ playtime – just rests more. More commonly than not, the German Shepards DO NOT have the high level of prey drive that a Malinois has. These traits also would have served them well protecting livestock. The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club included the breed in a group called Continental Shepherd Dogs until the 1890s, when it decided the breed was too different from its Shepherd cousins. They possess a lively character evident in a proud carriage and sparkling, attentive eyes. As you look at the Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd sizes, you will notice that both dogs are large animals.Adult German Shepherds weigh between 50 and 70 pounds if they are females and up to 90 pounds if they are males. The German Shepherd has a beloved personality, with an intelligent, protective, and active character. As far as life expectancy, the Belgian Malinois can live almost twice as long as a German Shepherd. While it isn’t necessary to take a German Shepherd to the groomer, this can help ease the grooming chores! In short, in the gym of dog breeds, the Belgian Malinois is the CrossFit athlete and the Shepherd is the Powerlifter. Like the GSD, more frequent brushing may be necessary during the twice-annual coat transitions. This helps them cover the most amount of ground with the least effort. Most breeders prefer to reclaim puppies rather than risk them being sent to shelters or euthanized. But not everybody is quite as well acquainted with the Belgian Malinois. German Shepherds are the best when they are introduced to children as puppies. The German shepherd obviously hails from Germany, emerging in 1899 as the German people looked to … If you encounter any resistance or vague answers, that is not the breeder to choose! As Chien Policier European Belgian Malinois breeder points out, there are some potential known health risks to the timing of your dog’s spay or neuter procedure.. And there are some known health risks if you decide to leave your male or female Belgian malinois … Every Malinois I’ve trained with and spent time with has a similar level of drive. “. Dad is a purebred GSD and mom is a mix of the two breeds with what we believe to be more BM than GSD. Over the next 35 years, he developed the breed we now know as the German Shepherd Dog. “Although the primary and original purpose of the German Shepherd was herding sheep (in what we refer to as a tending fashion), the breed soon became popular with the police and as military dogs,” says Julie Degen, a German Shepherd enthusiast for over 30 years and breeder for 25. Each of the four types of Belgian Shepherd Dog was named for the area around Brussels where it was developed, with the Malinois hailing from the Malines region. That list may seem overwhelming, but basically, they are prone to skin issues, bone and joint conditions, epilepsy, cancer, gastrointestinal issues and thyroid dysfunction. Fortunately, we have a collection of free training guides to help you successfully train whichever breed you choose. This new type of training is critical with powerful dog breeds like the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois! Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Size The German Shepherd tends to be a bit heavier than the Malinois. German Shepherds have a positive temperament and they are not at all shy which means they will like going around new people and exploring new and different activities. To learn more about scientific research into wolf and dog group life and why positive training is a must, we invite you to read this informative article. Although GSDs are popular for their strength and agility, working line puppies may not have a temperament suitable for living with a family. However, Mals can also be … Compare Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd and {name3}. But what is the difference between Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dogs? Also dating back to the late 1800s, the German Shepherd was developed by Captain Max von Stephanitz. “As the agricultural lifestyle declined, the Belgian Shepherd Dog became favored in the development of police dog training,” according to Ann MacKay, who has owned Belgian Malinois for 32 years and bred them for 26. In addition, hemophilia, diabetes, some eye issues, bloat, and cryptorchidism may be of concern. The German Malinois is a hybrid or mixed breed dog the offspring of a Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Price. Compare Dutch Shepherd Dog and Belgian Malinois and {name3}. “. over time he has gotten better (now 8 yrs old). The AKC recommends genetic testing for elbow and hip dysplasia and an eye exam. German Shepherd dogs learn quickly and retain what they learn, especially if trained from a young age. “The sport of Schutzhund was developed as a test to choose appropriate animals for breeding when it wasn’t possible to evaluate the dogs by their traditional work. In other words, when viewing from the side, the topline, front legs, and back legs should closely approximate a square. The BM prey drive does show even during play as my GSD will often get “stalked” at the watering bowl XD, Your email address will not be published. However, that doesn’t mean one breed is superior to another. Make sure that you meet the parents before committing to a puppy. Energy Level. Both breeds are similar in height. Certainly there are German Shepards with high drive, but “drive” is relative, and when compared to a Malinois, the difference is obvious. Belgian Malinois vs german shepherd... 05-28-2010, 05:49 PM. Neither Belgian Malinois nor German Shepherds are hypoallergenic, so they’ve got this is common. There is no definitive answer to the question of Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd, but by comparing the two breeds you can get a better sense of which dog is the right one for you. The German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois may look alike, but they are actually quite different. By voluntarily submitting data, breeders can qualify for CHIC certification of their breeding line. This can include anything from motorized toys to other household pets, babies and young children, and even cars. There is a good reason why in the world of professional high quality working dogs, Malinois are known as “maligators”, “land sharks”, and “crazy mals”. For example, both breeds are confident. If you are hung up between the two breeds I feel like it comes down to personal preference. The first step to picking a healthy puppy is learning about the health conditions that affect the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Dogs. “Besides being shown in conformation, German Shepherds compete in herding, obedience, agility, tracking, dock diving, disc dog, barn hunt, and more,” she affirms. Finally, both breeds are alert and ready to respond to their handlers. Lists of rescue organizations for German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois dogs are provided at the end of this article. If you are looking for a “pet”, get a German Shepard not a Belgian Malinois. What this means for new dog owners is that both breeds need high-quality training and lots of it! The German Malinois is a hybrid or mixed breed dog the offspring of a Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd. In short order, German Shepherds became one of the best known and most popular breeds in the world.”. He likes all humans (aloof with strangers – but respectful). Everybody’s familiar with the German Shepherd Dog. According to MacKay, the Malinois is energetic, intelligent, and inquisitive. Similar to the GSD, the Malinois has a double-layer coat with an insulating underlayer and a coarse, water-resistant upper layer. German Shepherd and Malinois dogs are no exception. It’s no wonder these two breeds have been embraced as both beloved pets and valued working dogs. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd The Malinois was one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog in use in the late 1800s. Dedicated training and positive reinforcement may be required to overcome this urge. As their names imply, the Belgian Malinois was developed in Belgium and the German Shepherd in Germany. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Belgian Malinois is a brilliant and robust dog showing a wide range of temperament and aggressive behavior. What is the difference between Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd? Of the three dogs with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, two are German Shepherds (the other one is Lassie). Although proper training and socialization are necessary for your new Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd to happily enter your family, it becomes especially important if your household contains babies, young children, and/or other household pets. The first German Shepherd to be brought to the United States was a puppy that was rescued from an almost-destroyed breeding business in France during World War I. However, until I began working with Belgian Malinois, I had never experienced such a high level of prey drive. Although the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois look quite similar from far, there are also few differences that you should consider before making a decision. When looking at the Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois is beginning to gain some popularity among dog owners, but the German Shepherd is still at the top of the list. Compare Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd and {name3}. It is perhaps because of this difference in weight that the Belgian Malinois is considered nimbler than GSDs. This is very desirable and can give you peace of mind about working with a particular breeder! Which is better: Dutch Shepherd Dog or Belgian Malinois I agree with this wholeheartedly. Like the German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois was bred to herd stock and is the only Belgian shepherd with a short coat. He wanted to create the perfect dog breed. Each breed has its own positive attributes that make them superior … Both GS and BM are fantastic dogs. After all, they’ve been America’s second most popular breed for years. Not sure if he is trying to “protect” us? look for a GS for the Dad and a Goldendoodle for me. Bringing either of these breeds into your life requires the time and ability to make sure they receive adequate exercise and mental stimulation. 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