The Dependable Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a herding dog that resembles the German Shepherd and mainly serves as a police or guard dog. It is, of course, also suitable as a family pet. At first glance, it can be difficult to distinguish from a German Shepherd. The Belgian Malinois is one of four types of herding dogs from Belgium and has been recognized as a separate breed in the United States since 1959. The Malinois has a short brown coat and a black face. Other Belgian Sheepdogs include the Groenendael, Tervuren, and Laekenois.

The Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd differ in their physical characteristics and temperament. The Malinois is slightly smaller and lighter than the German Shepherd. A German Shepherd's back slopes slightly toward the tail, whereas a Malinois's does not. The Malinois has a well-defined, refined face. The German Shepherd has a smaller face than the Malinois and triangular ears.

The Malinois is generally gentle yet strong-willed and wary of strangers. It is sensitive and agile and does not respond well to harsh training methods. For this reason, first-time dog owners are better off not choosing a Malinois. It is also unsuitable for people who leave home for long periods or travel frequently, resulting in the dog spending a lot of time alone at home.

The Malinois quickly becomes friendly with young children and enjoys activities with family members. However, because of its herding instincts, it tends to run after children and try to “herd” them, so a child and the dog should never be left alone together. Children should also be taught the proper way to approach a dog.