Everything You Need to Know About The Belgian Malinois

Everything You Need to Know About The Belgian Malinois

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About the Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-WAH) are proud, energetic, and highly alert herders. These well built, strong, and agile dogs stand at 22 to 26 inches. These agile dogs are very smart and always eager to learn. You’ll commonly see videos online of performing difficult tasks and obedience training. It is very important to keep this breed exercised and socialized properly as issues may occur whenever they’re just left unattended. Belgian Malinois will always prefer to be side-by-side with their owner. This makes this breed highly prized among both Law Enforcement and Military K9 units for their agility, obedience, and high working drive.

Breed Data

Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
Weight: 60-80 pounds (male), 40-60 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
Group: Herding Group

Standard Colors

  • Mahogany
  • Red
  • Red Sable
  • Fawn
  • Fawn
  • Sable
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Highlights

  • Very energetic and require a lot of exercise. It is important to have space and time for them.
  • Very intelligent, obedient, and alert. Strong herding and protection instincts, which require training.
  • Although they are good-sized dogs, they are very people-oriented and want to be included in family activities.
  • Requires early socialization.
  • Due to high energy and herding qualities, Malinois are not recommended for new and inexperienced dog owners.
  • Frequently sheds and shed heavily twice a year.
Belgian Malinois Work With Navy SEALS

Today, Mals are incredibly important members of the U.S. military. Most of the dogs that work with the elite Navy SEALS are Mals, including Cairo, the brave canine that helped SEAL Team 6 take down Osama bin Laden in 2011. SEAL dogs like Cairo are given their own special body armor and even get their own night-vision goggles.

Belgian Malinois Have Long Worked With Police Officers

In the January 1908 issue of the AKC Gazette, there was a small notice that five Belgian Sheepdogs had been added to the New York City police force. The breed was relatively new to the United States at the time, and this was the first time the AKC had ever mentioned them. Today, the Belgian Malinois is one of the top breeds chosen by police departments around the country.

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