Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)
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| Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) | ||
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| Alternative names | ||
| Belgian Malinois Chien de Berger Belge Mechelaar Mechelse Herder (Mechelse Scheper) Pastor Belga Malinois |
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| Country of origin | ||
| Belgium | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group 1 Section 1 #015 | Stds |
| AKC: | Herding | Stds |
| ANKC: | Group 5 (Working Dogs) | Stds |
| CKC: | Group 7 - Herding | Stds |
| KC (UK): | Pastoral | Stds |
| NZKC: | Working | Stds |
| UKC: | Herding Dog | Stds |
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) (IPA: [ˈmælɪnˌwɑː]) is a breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Malinois is recognized in the United States under the name Belgian Malinois. Its name is the French word for Mechlinian, which is in Dutch either 'Mechels' (from Mechelen) or 'Mechelaar' (one from Mechelen).
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[edit] Appearance
Like all Belgian Shepherds, the Malinois is a medium-sized, hard-working, square-proportioned dog in the sheepdog family. The Malinois is recognized by its short brown and yellow coat and its black ears, cheeks, and muzzle.
[edit] Coat and color
Due to their history as a working dog (i.e. being bred for function over form) Malinois can vary greatly in appearance. Most Malinois with a fawn coat will have white patches on the paws and chest. Darker Malinois do not generally share this trait. The acceptable colors of pure-bred Malinois are a base color of grey to fawn to mahogany with a black mask and ears, and with some degree of black tipping on the hairs, giving an overlay appearance. The color tends to be lighter with less black agoutiing or overlay on the dog's underside, breeching, and inside the legs.
The other varieties of Belgian Shepherd are distinguished by their coat & color: the Tervuren is the same color as the Malinois with long hair, the Laekenois is the same color, only it may lack the black mask & ears, and has wirehair, the Groenendael (registered as Belgian Sheepdog by the American Kennel Club) has long hair and is solid black. There are (occasionally and historically) solid black, black-and-tan (as in a Doberman or as in a German Shepherd), or other colored short-haired Belgian Shepherds, but these are not technically Malinois.
If a dog represented as a Malinios is brindle (clear stripes of different colored hair) it is probably a Dutch Shepherd Dog or a mixed breed, although the possibility exists that it is a "throwback" to a common continental shepherd ancestor.
[edit] Size
Female Malinois are said to average 25-30 kg (55-65 lb), while males are heavier at 29-34 kg (65-75 lb). Malinois can range from stocky to slender, but are always squarely built.
[edit] Temperament
In the United States, Germany and other European countries, the Malinois is bred primarily as a working dog for protection, detection and police work. This is not only because they can be aggressive when they need to be but also because they are fast learners of new tasks. This dog needs to be properly trained from the start of his life. Abusive, harsh or overly permissive training may result in a dog without the proper attitudes and because of its size and aggressiveness may harm people or other creatures. This is a working dog for an experienced dog owner. Most police forces have switched to Malinois in favor of all other breeds due to the breed's intense prey drive. The Malinois is unmatched in terms of toughness and focus, and is not a dog recommended for inexperienced or even "average" dog owners.
[edit] Health
Far less popular than the similar German Shepherd, the Malinois has luckily been spared the negative effects of overbreeding in puppy mills. However like most large breeds hip dysplasia is a prevalent genetic disorder.
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