belgian malinois history
The History of the Belgian MalinoisThe Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-wah), first bred around the city of Malines in the northwestern region of Belgium, are one of four closely related breeds of Belgian herding dogs. In some countries, the Malinois is classified together with the Tervuren, Laekenois, and Belgian Shepherd (aka Groenendael) as a single breed collectively known as the Belgian Sheepdog. In America, the Malinois has been registered as a separate breed since 1959. He bears a passing resemblance to the German Shepherd Dog but has a different head, and is leggier and finer boned, than his better-known German counterpart.
Mals have long been acknowledged as a peerless livestock herder in their native land. They were first bred by serious dog people who were primarily concerned with producing dogs of sterling working character and who spurned passing fads and fancies of pet owners. This emphasis on performance made the Mal the go-to dog for Belgian sheepherders and cattlemen.
It was in 1911 that Mals were first brought to America. They flourished here until the outbreak of World War II put an end to the importation of European breeding stock. The breed languished in the postwar years until the early 1960s, when the Mal's admirers began the process of replenishing its American population.
Mals are still prized as herders of all kinds of stock, but their versatility and high work-drive has sparked careers in many other occupations and activities. Today, they are highly sought after as police and military K-9s thanks to their strength, stamina, dexterity, loyalty, and eagerness to please. Belgian Malinois have served with such distinction that the U.S. Army & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has a memorial to military dogs and features a life-size bronze of a Belgian Malinois. The sculpture was created by Master Sculptor Lena Toritch.
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akc® breed standard
General Appearance
The Belgian Malinois is a well-balanced square dog, elegant in appearance with an exceedingly proud carriage of head and neck. The dog is strong, agile, well-muscled, alert and full of life. The male should appear unquestionably masculine; the female should have a distinctly feminine look and be judged equally with the male.
Coat
The coat should be comparatively short, straight, hard enough to be weather resistant,
with dense undercoat. It should be very short on the head, ears, and lower legs, somewhat longer around the neck where it forms a collarette, and on the tail and backs of the
thighs. The Belgian Malinois is a natural breed and there is no need for excessive grooming.
Color
The ideal coloring is a rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs giving an
overlay appearance. The blackening must not appear as patched or brindled. The underparts of
the body, tail and breeches are lighter fawn. The
mask must be pronounced.
Gait
The movement is smooth, free and easy, seemingly never tiring, exhibiting facility of
movement rather than a hard driving action. The breed shows a marked
tendency to move in a circle rather than a straight line.
Temperament
Correct temperament is essential to the working character of the Belgian Malinois. He is alert, intelligent, inquisitive and confident, showing neither fear nor aggression. He is energetic, ready for action, yet highly responsive to his owner’s direction. His lively character should be evident in his proud carriage and sparkling attentive eyes. The Belgian Malinois is an exceptional watchdog. Vigilant yet responsive, he balances all the qualities needed in a stock dog, protector and sensible working partner. He is firmly loyal to those he loves but may be indifferent to strangers. Displays of fear or aggression are to be severely penalized.
health & genetic testing
Love Belgian Malinois' dogs are tested for soundness by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) prior to breeding. Official OFA® testing cannot be completed until an animal reaches 2 years of age. If a dog passes all of its breed testing, it is awarded a CHIC certification number by the Canine Health Information Center. All of Love Belgian Malinois' breeding dogs hold CHIC certifications.
In addition, our dogs complete Embark® genetic testing prior to breeding. You can find links to their genetic profile information on each dog's profile page.
Click the links below for more information about OFA® testing and related articles you may find interesting.
Hip Dysplasia
Canine Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. With cartilage damage or a hip joint that isn’t formed properly, over time the existing cartilage will lose its thickness and elasticity. This breakdown of the cartilage will eventually result in pain with any joint movement. Screenings for Hip Dysplasia are performed by a veterinarian with x-rays sent to OFA® for grading and certification.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a common orthopedic problem that causes pain and lameness in dogs. It involves the humerus, ulna and radius bones of the elbow joint. Elbow dysplasia can cause lameness and lead to arthritis and other joint problems.
Eyes
The purpose of the OFA® Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) is to provide breeders with information regarding canine eye diseases so that they may make informed breeding decisions in an effort to produce healthier dogs. CAER certifications will be performed by board certified (ACVO) veterinary ophthalmologists. Regardless of whether owners submit their CAER exam forms to the OFA® for “certification,” all CAER exam data is collected for aggregate statistical purposes to provide information on trends in eye disease and breed susceptibility. Clinicians and students of ophthalmology as well as interested breed clubs, individual breeders and owners of specific breeds will find this useful.
Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds
This is an interesting study showing prevalence of hip and elbow dysplaaia by breed. Of course, studies are constantly being conducted, but it is interesting to read the correlation statistics.
care, safety & temperament
The smart, confident, and versatile Belgian Malinois is a world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his human partner. To deny a Mal activity and the pleasure of your company is to deprive him of his very reasons for being. Belgian Malinois are squarely built, proud, and alert herders. Strong and well-muscled, but more elegant than bulky, there's an honest, no-frills look about them, as befit dogs built to work hard for their feed.
This high-energy work-oriented breed needs several hours of exercise daily. It especially enjoys activities that involve agility, retrieving, jumping, and herding and any game that combines mental and physical challenges. It excels at competitive Schutzhund (“protection dog,” a training regime involving tracking, obedience, and protection activities), French Ring Sport (a training regime that involves obedience, jumping, and protection activities), herding, and dock diving (a sport where a dog leaps off a dock to retrieve objects thrown into the water).
The Belgian Malinois is considered by many dog experts to be a capable watchdog and protection dog. According to widely accepted generalizations about the breed, the Belgian Malinois is intelligent, it relishes mental and physical challenges, it is playful and energetic (without being hyperactive), and it does not give up easily—although individual dogs may differ. Many Belgian Malinois get along with other dogs and pets fairly well, but they are not generally gregarious toward unfamiliar dogs or people.
If you have ever seen a Mal perform, you know firsthand what a smart and eager breed this is. Problems set in, though, when this people-oriented dog is underemployed and neglected. Given sufficient exercise, the Belgian Malinois can become a well-mannered and calm house dog. Without sufficient exercise and training, it can be extremely destructive and headstrong, especially when it is young. Exercise, and plenty of it, preferably side by side with their adored owner, is key to Mal happiness.
Because of its strong will and physique, the breed is not ideal for children or the elderly, unless the dog is well trained or under close adult supervision. It is also not suited to apartment living or to being left alone for long periods. Belgian Malinois need extensive training and exercise, so they are not recommended for first-time dog owners. Given the breed’s athleticism, Belgian Malinois enclosures may require a very high fence.
Because of its tendency to keep working, the Belgian Malinois may overheat in hot weather, unless it has access to a water source in which it can cool off. The breed is fairly tolerant of cold weather. The coat can shed profusely at times and may need daily brushing during shedding season. However, it needs only weekly brushing and occasional bathing otherwise. The Belgian Malinois is susceptible to canine hip dysplasia, and puppies should be raised on a large-breed puppy food, which slows the rate of growth and reduces the risk of dysplasia.
Back to topearly sterilization
There has been research showing how early sterilization can affect growth and development as well as their overall hormone levels and mental health. The articles below are great references. Love Belgian Malinois does not endorse sterilization of dogs prior to 2 years of age, and doing so will void our puppy guarantee.
Data on the Consequences of Early Sterilization Continues to Mount - AAHA 2020 Article
Excerpt: Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), had a busy July: They published two separate studies on the health risks associated with early neutering and spaying of dogs. One study focused on 35 specific dog breeds, the other on mixed-breed dogs. The first study found that health risks based on sterilization age varied widely depending on breed. Both found that heavier dogs have higher health risks if neutered or spayed early before the age of one year. These findings are in line with the 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines, which recommend neutering large-breed male dogs after growth stops (approximately 9–15 months of age). Recommendations for female dogs are more nuanced and require clinical discretion combined with comprehensive owner education in an effort to balance the benefit of decreasing mammary neoplasia and unwanted litters when done earlier (before the first estrus) versus decreasing the risk of orthopedic disease, some cancers, and urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence if performed later (after growth stops)...Hart suggested that shelters and humane societies should consider adopting a standard of sterilizing at over a year of age for dogs who will grow into large sizes.
Reconsidering Early Spay and Neuter - Good Dog 2023 Article
Excerpt: Spaying and neutering prevents animals from reproducing, and may reduce some behaviors such as marking or roaming. However, hormones related to the gonads (reproductive organs) do not just affect reproduction and sexual behavior. Estrogen and testosterone impact multiple organ systems and bodily functions, including growth and behavior. Early spay/neuter (prior to 6 months of age) delays the closure of growth plates, which control bone development. When the plates are open, growth continues, leading to a taller dog and changes in conformation. In many larger breeds of dogs, this increases the risk of several orthopedic problems, including hip and elbow dysplasia and patella luxation. Other studies show that early spay/neuter may also increase the risk of certain cancers including hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and lymphoma, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and behavioral problems. The effects of early spay/neuter may be breed, age, and sex dependent.