Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds. The German Shepherd was developed in Germany for much the same reason as the Belgian Malinois – as a sheep herding dog. Once upon a time The German Shepherd was the favorite dog of police and military forces around the world. The German Shepherd is the larger of the two when it comes to weight, generally by around 10 percent. “Although the primary and original purpose of the German Shepherd was herding sheep (in what we refer to as a tending fashion), the breed soon became popular with the police and as military dogs,” says Julie Degen, a German Shepherd enthusiast for over 30 years and breeder for 25. Some dogs appear stable when working but are a complete mess in the house. Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherds as Police Dogs German Shepherds used to be the standard for police dogs, but recently Belgian Malinois are replacing them in many police departments. Amy’s answer: Thinking of a mixed breed dog with the best possible characteristics of the purebreds in his gene pool? Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, Meet Two Similar Yet Different Breeds: German Shepherd Dog & Belgian Malinois. In fact, their similar coloring and heritage as herding breeds might lead some people to mistake the Belgian Malinois for the German Shepherd. Work force. However, the German Shepherd in the United States has a colorful history. The main size difference is in weight. Malinois are hot in popularity. However, it should be noticed that only one out of them is a very rare breed and the other one is only a variety. I know there’s a lot of gate-keeping around owning a Belgian, especially a Mal. That dog became the first registered German Shepherd Dog in von Stephanitz’s newly established German Shepherd Dog Club and the founder of the breed. military working dogs and police dogs come from breeders who primarily aim for those markets (plus personal protection dogs). Depending on how extreme your local weather is, Dutch Shepherds will blow their coat. 0 . Compare . Any insight would be greatly appreciated. The German Shepherd also worked as a military dog, just as the Belgian Malinois did. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd—many people confuse them for each other. at sporting events or protests where deterrence is a big factor, favoring the GSD, and the Malinois temperament can be a drawback in such a scenario. The Belgian Malinois, on the other hand, are bit better off being alone one point fot Malinois 11 to 10. “The Belgian Malinois is an exceptional watchdog,” she adds. Mals haven't been poorly bred for decades, so there's one. Degen, a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America for 26 years who served as both the herding chair and performance chair, is struck by the German Shepherd’s movement. Where we live, Mals, Tervs, Laekenois and Groenendaels/Belgian Sheepdogs are seen as different varieties of one breed (Belgian Shepherd), not separate breeds. More were imported in 1911, including two specifically identified in the AKC studbook as Malinois. Males stand 24-26 inches high at the withers and females 22-24 inches. The German Shepherd is in the top ten of the most popular breeds, while the Malinois is less likely to be seen at your local dog park. They are often mistaken due to their similar color and builds. Similarly, Belgian Malinois are much faster than German Shepherds and have more energy. This subreddit is a great starting point for a lot of information, but you should always verify and expand upon what you've read before putting it to use in your daily life. German Shepherds have a positive temperament and they are not at all shy which means they will like going around new people and exploring new and different activities. Well hell, why an iPhone 6 over an iPhone 5? because ignorant trash ruins the breed by overbreeding and poorly breeding and mistreating them because they want the cool tough police/army dog. As Chien Policier European Belgian Malinois breeder points out, there are some potential known health risks to the timing of your dog’s spay or neuter procedure.. And there are some known health risks if you decide to leave your male or female Belgian malinois intact. Sadly not many. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Both the Malinois and German Shepherd are members of the Herding Group and can trace their origins to livestock herding dogs. Today, however, we are not only going to evaluate their similarities but also explore some of the differences in the breeds, their history’s, temperaments and pretty much everything else right down to their favorite dog food brand…. For now, anyway. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Size Although both breeds are large, standing between 22 and 26 inches at the shoulder when full-grown, the GSD is heavier. German shepherds are prone to hip and elbow problems, and so are Belgian Malinois. All Belgian shepherds, regardless of their variant, are generally healthy dogs that live between 12 and 16 years. Take a look at each dog’s characteristics and traits … The Doberman also enjoyed the same popularity in police and military work. He wanted to create the perfect dog breed. Press J to jump to the feed. According to MacKay, the Malinois is energetic, intelligent, and inquisitive. But are they two sides of the same coin, or different currencies altogether? Find similarities and differences between Dutch Shepherd Dog vs Belgian Malinois. BELGIAN MALINOIS VS GERMAN SHEPHERD COMPARISON Temperament. Male German Shepherds range from 65-90 pounds, with females weighing in at anywhere between 50-70 pounds. Belgian Shepherds as the name suggests were first developed in Belgium in the 19 th century. They have more energy a higher prey drive/work drive I hear. But not everybody is quite as well acquainted with the Belgian Malinois. The German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois may share similar traits, but overall, I think we can agree that they are their own dogs. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Health Conditions It might not come as a surprise to say that Belgian Malinois and German shepherds suffer from the same health issues. But Malinois are not without drawback, especially given the eclectic breeding working/sport programs out there. Belgian Malinois VS German Shepherd - German Shepherd VS Belgian Malinois - AspinWho will win in a fight between Belgian Malinois VS German Shepherd? This helps them cover the most amount of ground with the least effort. Please support Dogell so that we can maintain and develop this site. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. German Shepherds will love their owners more than they love their selves. Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherd. These traits also would have served them well protecting livestock. Belgian Malinois VS German Shepherd: Exercise Needs Both the German Shepherd and the Belgium Malinois are fond of outdoor activities, therefore they love spending time outside and being active, Belgium more German, trustfully saying. How do you know what breed is right for your family? After all, they’ve been America’s second most popular breed for years. 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