The Belgian Malinois vs the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) may be in the same Shepherd lineage.
German Shepherds are a larger dogs breed and proven to show aggression compared to Belgian Malinois. Malinois are smaller than GSDs but are inclined to be aggressive. Similarly, Belgian Malinois are faster than German Shepherds and have more energy.
Both dogs belong to the sheepdog family and are referred to as military dogs. Generally, German shepherds are less aggressive and have a slower attacking rate compared to Belgian Malinois. Also Belgian Malinois dogs are somewhat smaller in dimension.
Content Overview
- History
- Different names
- Appearance and Characteristics
- Personality and Temperament
- Health & problems
- How to take care
- Puppy Information
- Things to consider adopting a puppy
History
The Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd served the same function within their continental European roots.
The foundation of these breeds is very similar. Both were released around precisely the same period, and they had been designed with a focus in their abilities. Let’s take a look at the history behind each of the breeds.
Belgian Malinois History
The Belgian Malinois (frequently known as a Mali), has a similar recent background and they have been also first introduced in the late 1800s.
Their name stems from the Belgian town that they were thought to have been bred; Malines (also referred to as Mechelen).
It was brought to the United States in 1911, but World War II put an end to the importation of European puppy strains, which might explain the reason why this breed isn’t as popular in America.
After the war, the Belgian Malinois began to flourish again and is currently located in houses from coast to coast.
German Shepherd History
The German Shepherd also was employed as a military dog as the Belgian Malinois did. The German Shepherd in the United States has a history.
The GSD breed has its origin in 19th Century Germany, where Captain Max von Stephanitz chose to create the ideal puppy for sheep herding.
The breed is still popular today as a family pet and also as a breed of choice to functioning in law enforcement, armed services, and as a service dog.
Different names or Types
Belgian Malinois
- Malinois
- Chien De Berger Belge
- Mechelaar
- Mechelse Herder
- Mechelse Scheper
- Pastor Belga Malinois
- Mechelse schaper
German Shepherd
- Alsatian wolf dog
- Berger Allemand
- Deutscher Schäferhund
Recognized Names
- American Kennel Club
Appearance & Characteristics
Belgian Malinois Appearance
Belgian Malinois is a medium to big herding dog breed native to Belgium with a short coat and a square, well-balanced body. The breed’s high head carriage is one of its distinctive features. These dogs are often bright, loyal, and hardworking.
They thrive when given a duty and are well-suited to becoming working dogs in police and military missions. They may also be a terrific companion for the proper person particularly in an active family.
The Belgian Malinois temperament is marked by its high level of activity. Every day, it requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation. These dogs tend to be loving and sociable, yet they build deep ties with their owners.
German Shepherd Appearance
German shepherds are huge dogs with noble, industrious, loyal, and highly intelligent personalities. They have a brown and black coat and a sleek, athletic form that allows them to be both powerful and nimble. GSDs are great herding dogs and also function well as service animals, such as guiding dogs for the blind.
They also operate well as working dogs, particularly in police and military activities, and make excellent security dogs. In the right home, this dog would also serve as a great companion.
German shepherds have a protective, loyal, and affectionate personality. They love “their people,” but are wary of strangers or newcomers. They thrive on the care and attention of their family.
Breed basic characteristics
| Belgian Malinois | German Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Size: | 22-26 inches tall | 22-26 inches tall |
| Weight: | 40-80lbs | 50-90lbs |
| Lifespan: | 14-16 Years | 7-10 Years |
| Color: | Rich fawn to mahogany with lighter shades on stomach | Huge variety of color, but generally black top with strong rich shades of blonde on their underbelly and sides |
| Intelligence: | Intelligent | Intelligent |
| Coat: | Short/Medium length, Double coat | Medium length, Double coat |
| Temperament: | Confident, Well-Balanced, Possessive | Confident, Well-Balanced, Possessive |
| Socialization: | Can be possessive so needs early socialization | Requires early socialization due to their propensity to become possessive |
| Destructive Behavior: | Chewing and Digging | Jumping, Chewing and Barking |
| People Skills: | Is very good with people it knows but can be aloof with strangers | Makes an ideal loving family pet but can become possessive |
| Initial Purpose: | Initially bred as livestock herders | Initially bred to herd sheep |
| Energy Levels: | Requires high level of exercise. At least 90 minutes per day | Requires extremely high level of exercise. At least 120 minutes per day |
Behavior
The German Shepherd is a high energy dog, only as its Belgian Malinois cousin. Both strains are inclined to be active. Generally, German shepherds are less aggressive and have a slower attacking rate compared to Belgian Malinois.
Coat
A Belgian malinois might get a darker and longer hair coat compared to the malinois. Like a lot of other herding breeds, they even have a double coating. Whereas the undercoat is soft and dense the coat is short and hard to the touch.
Shedding
The German Shepherd also has a longer coat than the Belgian Malinois, often wiry and prone to shedding. Weekly brushing will help keep your dog’s shedding under control.
Where the Belgian Malinois has short, coarse hair, the German Shepherd has longer hair that is soft to the touch. And, if you want to cut down on the shedding, brush the Malinois daily.
Color and Markings
German Shepherds come in eleven colors ranging from black to silver and white. Belgian Malinois come in five standard colors warm colors, although non-standard shades comprise cream and gray.
Both strains have the potential to be born together with an iconic sable-colored coat.
Personality and Temperament
Personality
The Belgian Malinois is an outstanding working dog who is confident and protective in any situation. They affectionate with family member.
The Malinois is a serious working dog, Paired with an active family that will make the most of his intellect and athleticism, he’s a happy and affectionate companion who is famous for his sense of humor.
The Belgian Malinois excels not just in security, but also in herding and regulation enforcement; medication, bomb, and gas detection; search and rescue; monitoring; obedience; sledding; Ability; and treatment assistance to sick, handicapped or elderly men and women.
The German Shepherd is an intelligent, easy to train, dedicated, protective and fun-loving dog.
The German Shepherd personality is aloof although not usually aggressive. They dogs; they do not make friends immediately, but as soon as they do, they loyal.
Temperament
Well-raised and trained Malinois are usually active, intelligent, friendly,protective, alert and hard-working. Belgian Malinois exhibit energy levels that are among the highest of all dog breeds.
Belgian Malinois are extremely confident and have a strong protective and territorial instinct about them.
Whilst our table of temperament may indicate both of these breeds are exactly the same.
But, both puppies have similarities, as they are herding and working breeds, the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd are exceptionally intelligent. This intellect means that they are super trainable.
GSD may seem aloof but they are certainly not shy animals. While the dogs don’t usually make friends easily, when he does, he’s guaranteed to remain extremely loyal to you.
The Belgian Malinois is an outstanding working puppy that may appear reserved towards strangers exactly enjoy the GSD.
When comparing temperaments you’ll again find many similarities. Both are smart, eager to please, loyal, protective, and territorial.
Activity Requirements
Trainability
Both being super dogs that are smart, they are astoundingly trainable dog. While German Shepherds are smart, training can be very hard if your pet is obstinate. Belgian Malinois are a lot easier to command and train.
Health & problems
Belgian Malinois
Many puppies bred for certain functions have grown health ailments. German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois puppies are no exception.
A number of the common health issues for Belgian Malinois:
- Allergies
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
German Shepherd
The first step to choosing a healthy dog is learning about the health issues that affect the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Dogs.
A number of the common health issues for German Shepherd:
- Aesthesia Sensitivity
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- lbow Dysplasia
- Hip Dysplasia
How to take care of Belgian Malinois Vs German Shepherd?
Exercise
The German Shepherd is a moderate energy dog that rewards from daily exercise interspersed with intervals of relaxation and napping.
The Belgian Malinois is a high energy dog that needs regular exercise and mental stimulation.
The German Shepherd is going to be happy with upwards of 60 minutes of exercise each day. A healthy German Shepherd will increase through hills or from the forests. He’ll accompany his owner anywhere.
The Belgian Malinois is indeed active, it requires at least 90 minutes of exercise, usually split into two.
Grooming & Brushing
After comparing a Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Equally have similar grooming and feeding Demands.
The only difference is that German shepherds can shed more than Belgian Malinois, so you might want to do maintenance on your vacuum cleaner more when handling GSDs.
Dental Health check up
Dental disease is the most frequent problem in pets, affecting 80% percent of all dogs by age . Powerful dental hygiene is also important.
German Shepherds like to chew over, and also the habit helps to keep their teeth clean. Brushing their teeth using a soft toothbrush and doggy toothpaste also will help keep gums and teeth in great shape.
When we do not stop or treat dental disease, your friend will reduce her teeth and be in danger of damaging her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints.
Love & affection
German Shepherds are the 2nd dogs in the united states. German Shepherds are more intelligent and interesting to be around, and would really like to spend hours playing in the garden with their family.
The Belgian Malinois Trainers explain them as having a top “play push,” which means that they love to play.
Feed Healthy food
Please be aware that the amount of food that your dog absorbs greatly depends upon their overall construct, health and age. After comparing a Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd equally have similar grooming and feeding demands.
Belgian Malinois are medium sized breeds and have to be fed around 2-3 cups of pet food, split into two meals.
Due to their large build, German Shepherds should consume 3-4 cups of top quality dog foods, divided into two meals a day.
The following items should never be feed to Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Grapes or raisins
- Salt & salty foods
- Poultry bones
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit
- Onions, chives, and garlic
- Yeast dough
Puppy information
Puppy Training
Training is frequently easier with these two strains compared to that of other dogs.
While German Shepherds are smart, training can be very hard if your puppy is stubborn. Belgian Malinois are a lot easier to command and train.
Positive reinforcement works nicely with the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd.
Crate training
For medium to large dogs, it is always a fantastic idea to start crate training them in an early age.
So, should you stay away from the home for long intervals, make certain to start crate-training Belgian Malinois Vs German Shepherd, in addition to any obedience training.
Behavioral training
Behavioral training is very important for any dog. This training is very helpful for taking care of the dog. First of all, if you want to train your puppy to behavioral training to find out some common behavioral issues like breaking, aggression, food guarding, howling, mouthing and chewing, separation anxiety, etc and stop this behavioral issues and train your dog easily.
Obedience training
Basic obedience commands allow you to keep track of Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd, prevent some behavioral issues, and help with grooming.
Obedience training is all time appropriate outing as it enables your Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd to study their social skills and show off their enthusiasm for life. With proper training, they can excel in canine sports, such as obedience and rally, and they can make good therapy dogs.
Socialization
Socialization is important for all puppies, but it is probably ten times more critical for Malinois puppies than for any other breed. They are highly sensitive dogs who are often frightened by strangers. However, don’t forget to socialize.
Belgian Malinois are devoted and watchful, especially when it comes to people. For a well-rounded Mal, early interaction with other people and animals, exposure to diverse sights and sounds, and positive reinforcement training are required.
When it comes to training German Shepherd, socialization and age go hand in hand. It is not difficult to socialize an older dog, it is best to begin the process as soon as possible.
It has been proven that puppies and young dogs that are exposed to the world outside of their house grow up to be well behaved than dogs who are not properly socialized.
The most crucial aspect of your German Shepherd’s growth is socialization. Proper socialization can be the difference between a well-behaved dog and a deadly dog.
Things to consider adopting a Belgian Malinois Vs German Shepherd
If you’re seriously considering adopting a Belgian Malinois Vs German Shepherd, you should know.
- Before you adopt a Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd, consider how much time your new family member will spend alone. Remember, a puppy requires constant attention.
- Before you adopt a puppy, ask yourself if you are available to walk your dog several times throughout the day.
- You also have the advantage of knowing that your dog is physically able to “hold it” for several hours at a stretch.
- Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog then after adopts an adult dog.
- If you’re unsure of whether the new dog you’ve chosen is right for your family and lifestyle, consider fostering before making a commitment.
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