The Belgian Malinois’s roots herding livestock translates into a high prey drive, meaning this breed tends to “hunt” moving objects. BELGIAN MALINOIS VS GERMAN SHEPHERD COMPARISON Temperament. Plus, the Malinois is a square breed. Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd for My Family? “The Belgian Malinois is an exceptional watchdog,” she adds. Not sure if he is trying to “protect” us? Both possess upright, pointed ears, black masks, and athletic builds. Required fields are marked *. The German shepherd is a step below the Malinois, although it's bigger, stronger, and more intelligent, it's better suited foe beong a family dog and is calmer and more laid back. Season nine of the popular television show, The Walking Dead, featured a Belgian Malinois as main character Daryl Dixon’s companion. Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training. Belgian Malinois VS German Shepherd - German Shepherd VS Belgian Malinois When you check out the layer of a Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd, you’ll discover that the German Shepherd has a dual layer of defense to maintain it cozy. Dedicated training and positive reinforcement may be required to overcome this urge. Many dogs bred for specific purposes have developed breed-specific health conditions. What questions should you ask a breeder? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Cost. I agree with this wholeheartedly. In fact, these breeds are so similar that the choice between them is often as hard for police dog handlers as it is for pet owners! If you’re deciding between a Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd for family life, a non-working line German Shepherd Dog may be the better choice. According to MacKay, the Malinois is energetic, intelligent, and inquisitive. Easy to train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt (such as the word “sit”), an action (sitting) and a consequence (getting a treat) in this case both breeds are very quickly. points for both. Similarly, Belgian Malinois are much faster than German Shepherds and have more energy. The main reason I went with a GSD was familiarity of the breed and the BM prey drive , as my wife and I are trying for a baby. US President Herbert Hoover’s Belgian Malinois, King Tut, featured prominently in his 1928 election campaign. The German shepherd obviously hails from Germany, emerging in 1899 as the German people looked to … However, they are both very similar in height (about 2ft at the shoulder), so much of this difference is in build – the Malinois is much less bulky than the German Shepherd. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. He definitely exhibits the prey drive at times, especially with birds. Understanding and respecting the differences between the two breeds is imperative, and that’s what’s discussed in this article. However, some rescue organizations are willing to allow or even provide genetic testing in an effort to quickly place dogs in good homes. Make sure that you meet the parents before committing to a puppy. In fact, as early as 1908, the AKC Gazette mentioned that two Belgian Sheepdogs had been imported into the United States to work as police dogs in New York City. From left to right: Belgian Shepherd malinois, laekenois, tervueren and groenendael. Both GS and BM are fantastic dogs. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. German Shepherd, abbreviated as GSD is the dog of German origin, whereas the Belgian Mailinois tossed the name as it was bred around the Belgian city of Malines. As far as life expectancy, the Belgian Malinois can live almost twice as long as a German Shepherd. So, how intensive will your grooming chores be with a Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd Dog? 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. German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois size GSDs can reach a height of up to 26 inches and weigh up to 90 pounds while Malis have a height of up to 26 inches and weigh up to 80 pounds. In fact, their similar coloring and heritage as herding breeds might lead some people to mistake the Belgian Malinois for the German Shepherd. Let’s start our in-depth review with a look at the history of these magnificent breeds! https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. To keep the GSD looking neat and tidy, commit to weekly grooming and brushing sessions, perhaps more frequent during the seasonal sheds. The Malinois tends to have a more square appearance, as long as they are tall, while German Shepherds have a longer silhouette. For example, both breeds are confident. I am a looking to get in to K9 and trying to put together a grant for my department, as well as start to look at dogs. Bathing too frequently can strip out the natural oils that repel moisture and keep the skin healthy. The Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian Shepherds are judged by the same standard requirements except for color. I actually got him from a co-worker who owns his parents. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Price. Belgian Malinois vs german shepherd... 05-28-2010, 05:49 PM. Love my Malinois but they are not the dog for people that like to laze around the house. A German Shepherd Dog’s lifespan ranges from seven to ten years and a Belgian Malinois’s is from 14 to 16 years. More were imported in 1911, including two specifically identified in the AKC studbook as Malinois. While it isn’t necessary to take a German Shepherd to the groomer, this can help ease the grooming chores! Some dog breeds shed a little and others shed a lot. Including size, temperament, and the pros and cons of each breed as a family dog. This helps them cover the most amount of ground with the least effort. If you’re looking for a new pet companion or if you’re just curious, there are some notable differences in these two stately, intelligent breeds. For this reason, the FCI regards them all as the same breed, the Belgian Shepherd, while the American Kennel Club and other similar organizations recognize the four types as separate breeds. Over the next 35 years, he developed the breed we now know as the German Shepherd Dog. But, they are second best in all of them.”. “Besides being shown in conformation, German Shepherds compete in herding, obedience, agility, tracking, dock diving, disc dog, barn hunt, and more,” she affirms. The Belgian Shepherd malinois breed is characterized by having short hair. A dog that bites out of fear or nerves has a defective temperament. The Belgian Malinois also has deep-set ears, which makes checking the inner ears for mites, wax, and debris a weekly must. Either breed will enjoy and excel at agility, tracking, herding and obedience training and competitions. Weekly brushing will help keep your dog’s shedding under control. For instance, in the Los Angeles Police Department and the US Military, 75% of dogs are Belgian Malinois. This is a German Shepherd This is a Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) This is a Dutch Shepherd This is a Tamaskan These are Utonagan This is a Northern Inuit Dog Do you notice how they are all very physically similar? We have a Mal as a pet and while I wouldn’t trade her for the world we really should have gone with a GS. Can’t thank you enough for the postings We have neither at this point but was able to see the BMS in training at Barksdale AFB and was most impressed. “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. The German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois both require similar training and socialization to live happily as a family pet. This dog sheds more intensely during the fall-to-winter and winter-to-spring transitions (called the semi-annual “blow”). This newfound knowledge is changing how dogs are trained and socialized to live with humans. It might not come as a surprise to say that Belgian Malinois and German shepherds suffer from the same health issues. Tell us about your reasons for choosing them in the comments! The AKC recommends genetic testing for elbow and hip dysplasia and an eye exam. German Shepherds used to be the standard for police dogs, but recently Belgian Malinois are replacing them in many police departments. Though Red sable German Shepherd and Belgian Malnois have similar appearance but In general, German shepherds are less aggressive and have a slower attacking speed compared to the Belgian Malinois, but at the same time, the Belgian Malinois is small in size compared to GSDs. If you are hung up between the two breeds I feel like it comes down to personal preference. How do you find a reputable breeder? Finally, both breeds are alert and ready to respond to their handlers. 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. Both breeds have the potential to be born with the iconic sable-colored coat. Degen defines the breed as strong, confident, independent, and usually serious. My GSD’s favorite playmate at the park is a BM and honestly the way the two breeds play is even similar. They are not a first dog,second dog or any time dog. The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, German Shepherd Dog Club of America, 2018. She was raised with my kids so never towards them however if someone new tries to take a toy she may nip them. Never jumps on guests. The Belgian Malinois is not suitable for pet homes. 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. These numbers can fluctuate depending on the activity of the dog and the diet. A Guide to Congenital and Heritable Disorders in Dogs, Longevity and Mortality of Dogs Owned in England, Dachshund Gifts: Unique Gift Ideas For Lovers Of Dachshund Dogs, German Shepherd Mix: 25 Popular Mix Breed Dogs (And 6 Unusual Ones), British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. The Malinois was one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog in use in the late 1800s. Each breed has its own positive attributes that make them superior … Your email address will not be published. Belgian Shepherd malinois. Play sessions in a fenced-in area are another fun way to exercise and provide mental stimulation for your dog. The Malinois was one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog in … That dog became the first registered German Shepherd Dog in von Stephanitz’s newly established German Shepherd Dog Club and the founder of the breed. 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