German Wirehaired Pointer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison

German Wirehaired Pointer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed ComparisonGerman Wirehaired Pointer is originated from Germany but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) is originated from Belgium. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) are having almost same height. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) are having almost same weight. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) has almost same life span. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) has same litter size. German Wirehaired Pointer requires Moderate maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) requires Low maintenance

History

german wirehaired pointer - historyMedium to large sized, the German Wirehaired Pointer is a griffon type dog breed hailing from Germany and developed for hunting purposes in the 19th century.

Known as the Drahthaar in Germany, the dog is a mix of griffon, Deutscher Stichelhaar, German Shorthaired Pointer, Deutscher Kurzhaar as well as the Pudelpointer.

He was imported into the United States in the 1920s, and it was in 1953 that the German Drahthaar Club of America was formed.

belgian shepherd dog malinois - historyThe 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

german wirehaired pointer puppy - descriptionWell muscled, this is a medium to large sized dog standing at between 57 and 68cm in height and weighing between 27 and 32kg.

He has a weather resistant wiry coat which is of medium length and which is wiry and harsh. Coat color is liver and white as well as black flecked.The undercoat provides insulation against the cold.

He has quite a bit of facial hair in terms of eyebrows, beard and whiskers.He has webbed feet, typical of German Pointers. His tail is docked to about two-fifths of its natural length, but these days it is often left long.

Temperament:

Lively, playful, affectionate and intelligent, the German Wirehaired Pointer is easy to teach. He becomes wonderfully obedient with training and socialization and responds well to instructions to sit, come and stay.

He is an active dog and likes to be involved in the activities that his human family are involved in. He becomes bored and frustrated when he doesn’t get the exercise and attention he craves.

He isn’t suited to life in the city where the premises are small as he needs plenty of vigorous exercise every day. They do well in the country where they have plenty of place to run and where their hunting skills come into action.

Similarities to German Shepherd

belgian shepherd dog malinois puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Characteristics

german wirehaired pointer dog - characteristicsGerman Wirehaired Pointers make awesome pets as they’re lively, playful, social and loving. They particularly suit living in a home where the people are active, outdoor types.

They make superb jogging- or cycling companions and will thrive on sharing these activities with a family member. He is a dog who has a need to be loved and included in all that his family gets up to. He wants lots of pats and stroking to show him that you care.

Give him the love and care he craves and you’re guaranteed to have the most wonderful loving pet.

belgian shepherd dog malinois dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Health Problems

german wirehaired pointer puppies - health problemsGerman Wirehairs are generally healthy, and when you look after them well they can reach 12, 13 or 14 years of age. Also, if both German Wirehaired Pointer parents have certificates proving they were tested and cleared of hip dysplasia, hereditary eye diseases and blood-clotting disease, then your pet will have less risk of developing these conditions.

Your pet isn’t likely to get sick, but like all breeds of dogs, they're prone to certain diseases and conditions. Hip Dysplasia is something that can be noticed when your pet is still a puppy.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a heritable condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Your dog can battle with pain so that he no longer wants to play, he battles to get up after lying down and he may even begin to show signs of lameness. Arthritis can develop too.

Cataracts:

You’ll notice cloudiness on the eye lens that can grow over time. Not all cataracts impair vision, although there are some instances where vision loss is experienced. Cataracts can sometimes be surgically removed with good results.

belgian shepherd dog malinois puppies - health problemsBelgian 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

german wirehaired pointer dogs - caringYour German Wirehaired Pointer isn’t a heavy shedder so brushing his coat twice a week will be ideal for him to rid the coat of loose hairs.

Diet:

Your German Wirehaired Pointer is an active dog and this has to be taken into account when looking at diet. He will require a diet with quality protein. You’ve also got to look at things such as whether your dog is neutered or spayed as they require less calories. On the other hand there are dogs that will require more calories because of their activity levels.

Make sure your German Wirehaired Pointer eats a top quality dog food. Add in some homemade food such as cooked brown rice, chicken and vegetables from time to time as well as some raw meat. You have to constantly remember that your dog’s health depends on the nutrition you provide.

Regular Brushing as he’s a Shedder

belgian shepherd dog malinois dogs - caringBecause 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Germany
Belgium
Height Male:
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
61 - 66 cm
24 - 26 inches
Height Female:
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
29 - 34 kg
63 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Deutsch Drahthaar, Drahthaar
Mali,Berger Belge Malinois, Mechelse Berger
Colors Available:
black flecked , Liver and white
Fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, brown or red
Coat:
Straight, wiry, harsh
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  5. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  6. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  10. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  11. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  12. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  13. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  14. Catahoula Cur vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  15. Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  16. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  17. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  18. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  19. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  20. Queensland Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  21. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  22. Bohemian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  23. Croatian Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  24. Red Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  26. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  27. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Breed Comparison
  28. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  29. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Eurohound - Breed Comparison
  30. Gordon Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  31. Magyar Agar vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  32. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  33. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  34. Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  35. Tweed Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  36. Samoyed vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  37. Labradoodle vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mixed vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Great Pyrenees vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  40. Old English Sheepdog vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  41. Presa Canario vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  42. Labrador Husky vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  43. Perro de Presa Canario vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  45. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  46. Giant Schnauzer vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  47. Greyhound vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  48. Goldador vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  49. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  50. German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds