Belgian Malinois breed guide

To deny a Belgian Malinois activity and the pleasure of your company is to deprive it of its reasons for being, in AKC's words. Highly intelligent, athletic and exceedingly devoted, it needs to be engaged with its owner mentally and physically.

Like most herding breeds, Belgian Malinois have a high prey drive and a strong interest in moving objects, which can lead to chasing children, vehicles or other animals, so training must direct it into acceptable activities.

Malinois live 14 to 16 years. Breeders screen for hip and elbow dysplasia and certain eye problems and ears need regular checks for signs of infection with frequent tooth brushing.

The short waterproof coat is quite easy to care for: occasional brushing with a medium-bristle brush, rubber grooming mitt or hound glove keeps the dog looking its best. Malinois shed twice a year.

A Belgian Malinois cannot be left in the backyard and daily walks are not enough, AKC says. Exercise and plenty of it, preferably side by side with the owner, is paramount.

The Malinois was first bred around Malines in northwestern Belgium and is one of four closely related Belgian herding breeds. Some countries class it with the Tervuren, Laekenois and Belgian Shepherd, also called the Groenendael, as one breed called the Belgian Sheepdog.

America has registered the Malinois as a separate breed since 1959. It resembles the German Shepherd Dog but has a different head and is leggier and finer boned.