Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
German Shepherd is originated from Germany but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) is originated from Belgium. Both German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) are having almost same height. German Shepherd may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Both German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) has almost same life span. German Shepherd may have more litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Both German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) requires Low Maintenance.
Basic Information
History
The Belgian Malinois is one of 4 Belgian Shepherd varieties. The dogs were developed- and hail from Belguim. The Malinois has a short, fawn colored coat. The American Kennel Club recognizes that the Malinois is a separate breed from the other 3 varieties. It was in 1892 that Professor Reul wrote the first Belgian Shepherd Dog standard, recognizing 3 varieties – dogs with short coats, dogs with long coats and dogs with rough coats.
Today's Malinois goes back to a breeding pair owned by Adrien Janssens. It was in 1885 that he bought a fawn, rough-haired dog, breeding the dog with a short-haired dog named Lise de Laeken. After other breedings, the two dogs were recognized as ancestors of the modern Belgian Shepherd Dogs.
The city of Malines formed a club for the promotion of these fawn short hairs and the name Malinois became synonymous with them. In March 1992, the American Belgian Malinois Club received AKC parent club status.
Description
The GSD is very good for being a watchdog and hence it do not welcome guests to home.
But when trained from a puppy it will suit itself for making new friends. GSD like to be
always with somebody and they can be its master or his family members or else its partner.
The GSD is very intelligent and active hence they should be always kept busy, exercised
and playing. Nowadays many of them are trained well and made as four legged stars.
When we see all around the world many of them are involved in helping the physically challenged people. Also they are very important personnels in working with police and military for finding the criminals. Their excellent sniffing power works very good when given proper training for finding illegal smuggling. But basically the breed was set in to herd the sheep and protect them from predators.
Based on the popularity they are ranked 2nd in US and 4th in UK.
Similarities to German Shepherd
The Malinois is a medium-size Belgian shepherd dog. People sometimes mistake them for the German Shepherd as they are fairly similar to look at. The Malinois however is a smaller, lighter boned dog with naturally upright ears and a black-masked face. He is shorthaired and fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, although other colors are brown or red too. He is an intelligent and active dog, always having been used for herding-, police- and rescue work.
Reserved or Friendly
You’ll find the Malinois somewhat unpredictable as some are friendly and confident while other can be shy and withdrawn around strangers. This is a dog who loves to be around his human family, but to bring out the best in him, training and socialization classes will be necessary. Well-socialized Malinois are always good with children and other pets, more so if they’ve been raised with them.
Health Problems
The GSD has the chances for getting orthopaedic diseases such as hip dysplasia
and elbow dysplasia. Other common orthopaedic problems which affects GSD are Panosteitis,
Osteochondritis and cruciate ligament rupture.They also get some skin problems such as
allergies and pyoderma. Digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea and colitis are
also seen in GSD.
Hair fall
GSD is a continuous shedder. They are having a two layer coat. They should be brushed daily as it will remove the dead fur and thus prevents shedding.
Belgian Malinois are generally healthy dogs. However every dog, regardless of breed, can pick up illnesses, and it is always wise to be aware of some of the diseases your Malinois might face.
Hip Dysplasia
An inherited condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A degenerative eye disorder that can lead to blindness.
Dental problems
Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove tartar build-up. Too much plague leads to inflamed gums, bad breath, pus inside the mouth and even loss of teeth.
Caring The Pet
The GSD should be given an cool environment which they will enjoy a lot.
Feeding the puppy
The GSD puppy should be fed small quantities of food but several times per day as it needs to gain 2 gms weight per day. The preferred food for them is dry food along with raw liver pieces which would provide them excellent energy. The protein food given to puppy should contain 25 to 30% calories. Puppies consume more food when compared with adults.
Feeding the adult
The GSD needs a food which has a considerable amount of protein. They are carnivores in the nature. The protein can be given from cooked meat. The artificial food products will not be suitable for them. When are provided with protein food they will gain fat from itself. The recommended fat content for GSD is 5% to 8%.
Points for Good Health
The GSD should be provided with a nutritional food for their good health.
Games and Exercises
Physical exercises are very much needed for GSD since they are very energetic and power packed. It is highly recommended to make them play and run daily as they don't need to get bored. They can be made to climb in hilly areas as they want to explore their surroundings. They can be made to swim or play hide and seek and find the missing objects. Regular morning walk will be very good for them.
Regular Brushing as he’s a Shedder
Because the Malinois is a constant shedder, with a couple of heavy shedding periods during the year, you’ll need to be conscientious with his grooming and brush him at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs and to give his thick coat a glossy, healthy look to it.
Exercise
Because of their high energy, Malinois aren’t recommended for couch-potato type owners. It will be cruel to buy such a dog and to leave him to waste away with boredom and frustration in your back yard. He’ll want lots of rough and tumble, ball games, runs in the park or in the country and long walks.
Feeding
Belgian Shepherd Malinois puppies are vulnerable when they’re tiny, and it would be wise to speak to your vet about superb nutrition to build up a puppy’s immune system.
An excellent way to ensure the health of your growing Malinois is to give him a home prepared meals along with commercially manufactured food recommended by your vet. You can’t just put a bowl of commercially manufactured dog food in front of him day after day month after month.
Apart from what your vet recommends, give him some brown rice, some cooked vegetables and some raw meat. Raw meat will ensure he can fight of skin infections. The age of the dog, emotional state and environmental influences can all play a role in skin diseases with dogs, but by ensuring some raw meat in his diet, the immune system is strengthened and skin disorders are eliminated. Always ensure a steady supply of fresh water.
Characteristics
Children friendliness
The GSD is a very good child friendly dog, they love to play with kids.
Adaptability
They adopts both hot and cold climates, but they like cold weather very much and also their body is suitable for cold than hot.
Learning ability
The GSD has high ability to learn tricks and also they are interested in learning. As they have very high intelligence they learn very easily and quickly.
The Belgian Malinois makes a wonderful guard dog and he works hard to ensure that his human family, whom he adores, are well protected under his watch. They’re such intelligent dogs too that you may feel inclined to pass over some of your chores to him.
He responds well to training, and to get the best from this breed, start with training and socialization as soon as you bring your puppy home.
Socialization is excellent as it introduces your puppy to different people, animals as well as situations.
He is an adaptable dog and can live in an apartment if he is well exercised. He can be your devoted and loyal friend for a good number of years but you will have to do your part in providing him with the best care possible.
Comparison with other breeds
- German Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
- Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- West Highland White Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- French Bulldog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Beagle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Yorkshire Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Poodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Rottweiler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Boxer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- English Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Siberian Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Doberman Pinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- American Bully vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Abruzzenhund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Affenpinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Afghan Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Aidi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Airedale Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Akbash Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Akita vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Africanis vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Askal vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Atlas Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Aussie Poo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison