German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois
German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois breeds are the elite working dogs, often employed by the military and used by the police for detection, search and rescue and many other important jobs. Multitalented German Shepherd and Malinois take top places among best police dogs. Even though the German Shepherd still takes the top place in numbers among police dogs in the United States, the Belgian Malinois is not far behind.
As family pets, both, German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois breeds need experienced owners who have the time and dedication to make the most of these smart and highly active dogs. While both breeds are highly active, Belgian Malinois are among the most energetic breeds that need from 4 to 6 hours of exercise and mental stimulation every single day. German Shepherds need from 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day in comparison. These breeds aren't suitable for low energy owners who don't like to walk for miles every day. Families with young children may not have enough time to dedicate to training and exercising a large, demanding breed such as the Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd. Working people who spend most of the day at work should also look for different breeds because German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois dogs need to be around the owner most of the time, exercising, performing tasks or staying busy in productive ways. A lonely and bored German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois is a recipe for behavior problems that tend to develop in working dogs that aren't getting enough physical or mental stimulation.
There are many similarities and differences between German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois breeds. Complete comparison between German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois breeds:
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd temperament
Although both breeds are alert and eager to work, Belgian Malinois is extremely energetic while German Shepherd is a calmer breed in comparison. Both breeds are very intelligent, quick to learn and love to have a job to do. Whether it is being a guard dog or personal protection or seach and rescue operation, Belgian Malinois and GSDs are the right dogs to be trained for these jobs.
Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix (also known as Shepinois)
Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix dogs have traits of the two breeds. The colors of Malinois and German Shepherd cross dogs can vary. Physical traits of Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd cross dogs can resemble either of these strong working breeds. Shepinois are great working dogs that combine the traits of German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois dog breeds.
Image of Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix.
Shepinois is another term used for half Belgian Malinois half German Shepherd dog. In size, Shepinois dogs can reach up to 88 pounds in weight and over two feet in height.
PSI (pound force per square inch): Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd
Belgian Malinois has a Bite Force of 195 PSI
German Shepherd has a Bite Force of 238 PSI
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Running Speed
German Shepherd top speed is about 30 miles per hour (48 km/h). Belgian Malinois top running speed is about the same.
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Lifespan
Belgian Malinois dogs have a slighly higher life expectancy than do German Shepherds.
Belgian Malinois life expectancy is about 10 to 13 years.
German Shepherd life span is shorter and is about 9 to 12 years.
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Size
Although both breeds stand about 2'2" tall at the withers, German Shepherds tend to be slightly heavier than Belgian Malinois dogs.
German Shepherd male weight: 30 to 40 kg (66 to 88 lb)
Belgian Malinois male weight: 29 to 34 kg (63 to 74 lb)
Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd comparison: Shedding
German shepherds have longer coat and shed more than Malinois dogs. German Shepherds require more coat maintenance than do Belgian Malinois dogs that feature shorter coat that is easier to manage. Brushing a Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd every day can help to keep the amount of shedding under control. Deshedding dog brushes such as the Furminator can dramatically help with removing the dead hair from the dog's coat.
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Intelligence
Both of these herding dog breeds score high on intelligence. Not all German Shepherds are equal in terms of intelligence, just like not all Belgian Malinois dogs are equal in intelligence when compared to other dogs of the same breed. Due to these variations within each breed, intelligence level needs to be tested on individual dogs to make a reasonable estimation.
Country of breed origin: Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd compared
Belgian Malinois breed was developed in Belgium as a sheepherding dog.
German Shepherd breed was developed in Germany as a sheepherding dog.
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Good with kids
Large and energetic breeds such as Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd are not ideal dogs for families with toddlers or young children. Both breeds are demanding in terms of exercise and families with small children may not have the luxury of time that a GSD or Malinois requires on a daily basis. Although not ideal, German Shepherd is calmer and is a better choice for families with kids. Belgian Malinois dogs can also be good with kids if raised with them but this high energy large breed requires hours of exercise every day to stay in best physical and mental shape. Belgian Malinois is unsuitable for a family that is unable to give him the commitment the dog needs.
Belgian Malinois and German shepherds are most suitable for an active owner, who can appreciate the high working drive and high energy level of either of these working breeds. The owner of a German Shepherd or Malinois should be able to provide enough mental and physical stimulation and company to the breed of his or her choice. Consider another breed if you are unable to provide either a GSD or Belgian Malinois with enough attention, daily activity and mental stimulation. If you are out at work all day, it is unfair to subject either of these breeds to a life of boredom and solitude. A German Shepherd or Malinois dog can start developing psychological issues and various behavior problems if left alone for long periods of time.
Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherd: Good with other dogs
German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are both good with other dogs with supervision. A German Shepherd or Malinois that is properly socialized can enjoy the company of other dogs. Neither breed is considered better than the other. Level of socialization depends of each individual dog (how much time the owner spent getting the puppy comfortable around other dogs) plays an important role in determining how good the dog is around other dogs.
German Shepherd versus Belgian Malinois: Trainability
Belgian Malinois is easy to train. Dog trainers that work with both breeds report that Malinois has a very high drive and can work a tad bit longer than a German Shepherd. Well trained Malinois are extremely fast in command execution.
German Shepherd is easy to train. Dog trainers that work with both of these breeds report that German Shepherds tend to have more focus than Belgian Malinois.
GSD and Malinois should start obedience training from puppyhood. Positive motivation training and reward based dog training approaches work best with either of these breeds. Both breeds can be trained to a high standard. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois breeds excel in obedience training, personal protection training and more. Owners of either of these working breeds can bring the best out of their dogs with with positive motivation techniques.
Barking level: difference between Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd
About the same barking level for both of these breeds. Both, Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd bark when necessary. Leaving either dog breed alone frequently and for long periods of time with nothing to do is a recipe for behavior problems in the animal. Either breed may start barking out of loneliness to keep themselves busy. Do not get these active breeds if you can not dedicate most of your time to spending it with the dog.
Personal Protection Training: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd
Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds both are naturally protective dogs and are capable of accomplishing great results in Personal Protection Training. Personal protection training requires years of training and a significant financial input but if you are looking for the right breed for personal protection, German Shepherd or Malinois are perfect dogs for that job. Both breeds are alert and make excellent guard dogs.
Exercise needs: Belgian Malinois compared to German Shepherd
Belgian Malinois has an overall higher energy level and may need even more time allocated for exercise. German Shepherds are calmer and although both breeds require plenty of daily exercise, Belgian Malinois are more active and may require more exercise per day than German Shepherds. Both breeds are very active and are suitable for energetic owners who are prepared to spend plenty of time outdoors with the dog. Belgian Malinois dogs have endless energy and need four or more hours of exercise every single day, especially while the dog is still young. German Shepherds are also active and require at least a couple of hours of exercise daily. Walking and swimming are great ways to exercise either of these high energy breeds.
German Shepherd compared to Malinois: Health problems
German Shepherds are predisposed to following health issues: allergies, epilepsy, hip and joint dysplasia, inflammation of the cornea, lameness, chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (gradual loss of use of hind legs), and skin problems. Just like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois dogs are susceptible to hip malformation (dysplasia) and epilepsy.
Dog behavior issues: Malinois vs German Shepherd
Both German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois need a job to do. Both are sheepherding breeds that were originally enjoying the job of herding. When bored and left alone with nothing to do during the day, both German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois will look for something to keep themselves busy. Behavior problems may arise when either of these dog breeds has no job to do during the day. These working dogs need to be kept intellectually and physically engaged during the day to prevent behavior issues. Belgian Malinois owners report more behavior issues with their dog when the dog is left alone during the day than do German Shepherd owners. If you are considering to get one of these breeds, consider whether you have the time that these working dogs need each day for mental and physical activities each day. If you are working all day and will not be able to spend much time with your dog, consider a different dog breed.
Popularity: Belgian Malinois vs GSD
German Shepherd takes the second place among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. In comparison to GSD, Belgian Malinois is less popular in the United States and takes 47th place among the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
Loyalty to the owner: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd
Both of these breeds are very loyal to their owners.
Malinois versus German Shepherd: Ideal home
Working breeds such as the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are ideal dogs for a country living. These active breeds need a good size yard where the dog can exercise daily. Either a GSD or a Malinois are not suitable for living in an apartment with little exercise. German Shepherds and Malinois dogs that live in the city should have a yard where the dog can run around, play and exercise. German Shepherds and Malinois dogs need long walks every day and can benefit from having an access to a park or a large yard where the dog can burn some energy.
Can German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois live in an apartment? Apartment living is not recommended for either of these large active dogs. These breeds do best in a country environment with plenty of space to explore and run around. A senior Malinois or German Shepherd dog that does not have as much energy as a young dog may be okay living in an apartment as long as the dog gets access to a park, long daily walks and exercise during the day.
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