Belgian Malinois Pros & Cons: What to Know Before You Get One

The Belgian Malinois is a sturdy, beautiful herding dog native to the Malines area, a small region in Antwerp, Belgium. These burly, well-built canines rank 32nd on the AKC’s 2022 list of the top 100 most popular dog breeds in the country.¹ Despite their bold appearance, they are affectionate and highly protective of their families.

Unsurprisingly, this world-class work dog has piqued the attention of dog enthusiasts and families nationwide. You’re not alone if you think a Belgian Malinois might be the perfect fit for your home or farm.

However, it’s essential to understand the upsides and downsides of this gentle beast before welcoming one into your home. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

The 6 Pros of the Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is undoubtedly a fine specimen of the canine species. Here are a few reasons the Belgian Malinois can make the perfect addition to your home.

1. Extremely Intelligent

The Belgian Malinois is a brilliant dog. In a study testing the overall intelligence of various dog breeds, the Belgian Malinois scored 35 out of 39 points. They scored high in understanding human gestures and navigating V-point detours.

Their high intelligence explains why they’re excellent herding dogs. Belgian Malinois are also useful in police and military operations, including search and rescue.

2. They’re Easy to Train

Training a Belgian Malinois is a breeze, given their high intelligence and eagerness to please their owners. You can train your dog to do tricks and obey verbal and gestural commands.

For the best results, start training your Malinois early on as a pup. You should also expose them to different people and environments to instill sociable behavior and dampen unnecessary aggression.

3. Active and Energetic Dogs

Belgian Malinois are very energetic and will likely keep you on your toes. They require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to thrive and be healthy. This trait makes them an ideal companion for fitness enthusiasts and dog owners with active lifestyles. Your dog will happily accompany you on runs, hiking trips, and even swimming sessions.

4. They Are Protective

The Belgian Malinois is inherently protective of its owner and family. It makes an excellent protection dog, protecting both the owners and their families. They’ll quickly alert you with loud barking in case any intruder approaches your home or property. They might also attack the intruder if they get too close.

Despite being protective, well-bred and trained pups aren’t overly aggressive to threats. They’ll only bark and growl at the threatening individual. However, they might lunge at the intruder should they try to harm you. Belgian Malinois are intelligent enough to differentiate varying threat levels.

5. Minimal Grooming Needs

The short, dense coats of the Belgian Malinois require little maintenance compared to other breeds. This makes them an excellent choice for people with busy schedules who don’t have time to wash and brush their dogs’ coats regularly.

All you need to do is brush them once or twice a week with a firm bristle brush. This prevents the fur from tangling, removes dead hair, and keeps the coat smooth and clean. During their shedding period, which occurs twice a year, you must brush them daily to remove dead fur.

6. Generally Healthy

Belgian Malinois are healthy and less prone to diseases like parvovirus and canine distemper. They live between 12 and 14 years and can live for much longer if you take good care of them. Genetic health problems are uncommon with this breed, and trips to the vet will be rare and restricted to routine checkups.

The 5 Cons of the Belgian Malinois

Despite the many benefits of owning a Belgian Malinois, there are also a few downsides.

1. Require a Lot of Exercise

Belgian Malinois are active and energetic dogs that hardly sit still. While this might be good for some owners, it’s not for homebodies. These athletic dogs require regular walks and trips to the dog park to burn off the excess energy.

If you keep your dog locked inside the house for too long, they’re likely to act up. They’ll get aggressive and destructive when you don’t give them an outlet for their energy. It isn’t ideal for owners who like to stay home and snuggle with their dogs.

2. Require Special Attention

The Belgian Malinois isn’t ideal for first-time pet owners. You can’t leave your Belgian Malinois in the crate for too long, or they might get restless. Without regular exercise and activity, they can wreck your house.

3. Might Be Aggressive Toward People

As mentioned, Belgian Malinois are very protective creatures who can lash out at anything threatening your safety. They’re likely to act aggressively toward strangers, especially if they had a secluded childhood.

It’s not uncommon for these pups to bark at your house guest or food delivery people when they knock at your door. You’ll also have difficulty taking your Malinois to social gatherings like dinner parties or social places like the bar or grocery store. You can avoid this by exposing your dog to people and social environments earlier.

4. They’re Creatures of Routine

One caveat of the Maligators’ intelligence is that they require a definite routine. Frequent disruptions and random, haphazard living don’t sit well with this canine. Instead, they prefer a well-laid-out day, with specific times for feeding, exercising, and rest.

They also love to be involved in activities and don’t like to play the role of a pet but rather an active member of the family.

5. Strong-Willed and Stubborn

Belgian Malinois have a mind of their own. They are sometimes strong-willed and stubborn and will blatantly ignore your commands. This stubbornness is typical when you leave them cooped up in their crate all day.

This is a way to express their displeasure for leaving them alone without activity. Your pup might need professional training if they don’t respond to commands or learn new tricks despite your persistent effort.

How to Care for Your Belgian Malinois

Taking good care of your Belgian Malinois is imperative for a healthy and happy dog. Here are a few tips to ensure your pup lives their best life.

Provide a Loving Environment

These loyal and affectionate dogs deserve all the love and care you can give them. Surround your Malinois with friendly people who don’t threaten their peace or invade their space. Shower your pup with praise and petting if they act appropriately. And, of course, don’t hold back on the treats.

Ensure Enough Space for Play

Belgian Malinois are very energetic and love to play. Without enough room for physical activity, your dog will grow restless. If you live in an apartment complex, arrange regular visits to the nearest dog park and let your dog run and play to their heart’s content.

Allow Time With Other Dogs

Make time for your dog to socialize with other dogs to stimulate and expand their minds. This is also important to train your dog to act appropriately when around other dogs. You can take them to the dog park or dog training center occasionally to spend time with other canines.

Final Thoughts

The Belgian Malinois is a great pet and work dog, but they’re not suitable for beginners. If you’re a first-time dog owner with limited space, you’re better off adopting another breed. The same goes for people with small living spaces and those who work more than seven hours a day.

See Also:

• Are Belgian Malinois Hypoallergenic? What You Need To Know!
• When Do Belgian Malinois Calm Down? Tips & FAQs

Featured Image Credit: nordantin, Shutterstock