Belgian Malinois — breed guide

At a glance

Group

herding

Size

Large

Weight

20–36 kg (44–79 lb)

Life span

14–16 years

Coat

Short, straw-colored coat with black mask

Living with a Belgian Malinois

• Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
• Light grooming — a brush now and then.
• Heavy shedding, especially in season.
• Exceptionally trainable — among the easiest to teach.
• Vocal when there is a reason.
• Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
• Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
• Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
• Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
• Better with previous experience behind you.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Average cold tolerance.

Temperament

Driven · Confident · Hard-working · Intense

Health to watch

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cataracts

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

A Malinois named Cairo served on the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that found Osama bin Laden.

Questions people ask

Is a Belgian Malinois good with kids?

With care. Belgian Malinoiss generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.

Is a Belgian Malinois good with cats?

It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.

How much exercise does a Belgian Malinois need?

Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.

Can a Belgian Malinois handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.