Description: The Belgian Malinois dog breed is between 22 to 26 inches depending on the sex of the dog, and their weight is 55 to 65 pounds. To look at, this dog is described as a square in shape, which is in reference to the whole body. They have a deep chest and good straight topline. The skull is wide as it is long. The muzzle has a pointed look. And it is equal to the top of the skull, it has a black nose. This breed has tight tips and the teeth meet in a level or scissor bite. The eyes are brown and evenly spaced.
This breed has erect ears that are triangular to look at. The tail is strong and reaches to the hock. Their legs are straight and their feet are cat-like. This breed has a double coat that is short and smooth, with no curling or waves. Coloring is rich and can be mahogany to black, fawn to red, with black tips. Their tail, underbody and back end, is fawn. The ears and their masks are black. Hair around the neck looks like a collar and is slightly longer than the rest of the body.
History: This breed has got its name from the city of Malinois in the country of Belgium. There it is a popular dog. It is one of four varieties and there is hot debate as to which to recognize by the clubs and standards. Some clubs, like the AKC since 1959, recognize three of the breeds. All four varieties are accepted as one breed by the UKC registry. The four are the Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Laekenois and of course the Belgian Malinois. Belgian Malinois is a working dog and has a history of being a sheepdog, but they are now used for narcotics and police work, bomb detection, search and rescue and protection. They can even sled and cart pull.
Temperament: This dog is intelligent, obedient with a strong protective and territorial nature. The need to socialize this breed is good practice. You will need to be firm with consistent rules and natural leadership qualities, to gain the best from this breed. They need training, daily exercise, and companionship; they need to be part of the family, not just a guard dog locked in a shop or garden. If socialized with children, they are fine with them. They need to work and can get bored if left with nothing to do. You should be careful when introducing this breed to non-canine pets.
They can be dominant towards other dogs so some care has to be taken. If they do not get their mental and physical needs met they can be very destructive. This is not the first time the owner's dog as you will need plenty of experience to deal correctly with this breed. This dog can revert to instincts and start to herd people nipping at their ankles; this has to be discouraged at all times. Spend time talking to other owners and breeders before you really consider this breed as it cannot be stressed enough that only experience owners should have this dog.
Health issues: This breed is fairly clean, of the things that can blight other breeds, but they can suffer from aggressiveness or extreme shyness and skin allergies have been reported.
Grooming: This breed needs only to be brushed, with a bristle brush, a few times a week. Bathing is not a good idea, but it can be bathed if really necessary.
Living conditions: This dog will be fine in an apartment but only if given the right amount of exercise. It will like a good garden. In cool climates, it can live outdoors but would rather be with its human pack.
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