Dog breed · Herding / Pastoral
Belgian Malinois
An elite working dog used by police and military worldwide — magnificent in skilled hands and overwhelming in the wrong home.
Large12–14 yearsBelgiumNeeds more space
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Herding / Pastoral
- Origin
- Belgium
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 20–36 kg (44–80 lb)
- Height
- 56–66 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Short, hard double coat
- Temperament
- IntenseDrivenAlertCommitted
History
One of four Belgian shepherd varieties, standardised around Malines in the late nineteenth century.
Appearance
Square, athletic and fawn with a black mask and ear tips.
Exercise and activity
Two to three hours daily of demanding physical and cognitive work.
Care and grooming
Weekly brushing; the real work is daily training, impulse control and decompression.
Health considerations
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Epilepsy
- Anaesthetic sensitivity
- Pannus