The German Malinois is a crossbreed of the Belgian Malinois Dog and the German Shepherd Dog. They also go by the names such as the Shepinois, the Belgian Shepherd, the Belgian German Shepherd, and the Malinois X. This breed has been used for decades in military and law enforcement operations because of their intelligence, energy, endurance, agility, and trainability.
Whether you are looking for a hunting companion, a loyal guarding dog, or a loving family pet who has the best of both parents, this Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix breed might be your ideal dog.
Read on to find everything about this energetic breed.
What Does a German Malinois Look like?
Like any other mixed breed, the German Malinois takes much after both of their parents. But they do not have a standard appearance as there is a high chance that the breed will look like the combinations of both of their parents.
Here’s a detailed look at the German Belgian appearance:
Head And Facial StructureÂ
This Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix has an uncommon facial structure that features a wedge-shaped head and a long snout. The first thing that you notice about their eyes is that they are almond-shaped, dark brown, and medium-sized. Their ears are also medium to large and put in proportion to the skull.
Neck FeaturesÂ
This mix breed has a muscled neck, typically long and straight. The neck may have a slight arch, with the topline sloping downwards towards the back of the skull.
Body
Puppies who take after their Malinois parent will have straight back, muscular bodies, and shorter legs brought on by their heritage while the puppies who take after their German Shepherd parent will not have a straight back and their legs relatively bow lower to compensate the muscular body.
Coat
These dogs have a rough, dense coat which is a straight, medium-length dual coat. The fur, which can vary in length, is usually flat and doesn’t curl around their shoulders and face.
Coat Color
Fawn, black, brown, blue, white, and tan are the most common coat colors. Some German Malinois might only produce a tan, red, silver, or an existing mix of color. It’s rare for a grey or cream German Malinois to show up as cream and grey are very unusual colors for the breed.
With darker markings, this mixed breed will often have a dark overlay, which can be black or brown. For some pups, this might also mean their coat is darker than others.
You might also be interested in Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd
How Big Can the German Malinois Get?
The German Malinois can be as tall as 20Â to 26 inches above the ground and weigh around 65 to 85 pounds. Females are relatively smaller than males both in terms of height and weight.
When your German Shepherd-Malinois puppy turns 16 to 22 months of age, it will be considered fully grown.
Interesting Facts About The German Malinois Breed
- The German Malinois are typically a lot more trainable than most other dog breeds, which means they can be trained earlier (as young as three months old) in life. This is the result of their level-headed parents whose incredible intelligence and endurance manifest earlier in their offspring.
- They have a high prey drive. This shouldn’t come off as a surprise since both of their parents have this trait. Given the breed’s high prey drive, you’ll want to keep your small pets like cats, rabbits, and even birds away from your puppy unless they are raised together.
- German Malinois are highly intelligent dogs. Both the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd are incredibly smart, while the latter is ranked in the top 10 most intelligent dogs right after the Poodle and Border Collie.
- This mixed breed does not thrive in apartments. As they are highly energetic dogs, they need a large space to run around and burn off their vigor.
- A Malinois German Shepherd mix is a great hunting companion, they can track almost anything. They also have strong noses that can help them sniff out a game at even long distances!
Price of a German MalinoisÂ
On average, the cost of a German Malinois puppy can be around $1,000. There is some variance between breeders and the pedigree of the puppies so this can range from less than $1000 to several thousand dollars.
If you’re looking to buy a puppy from high-pedigree Malinois, then you’ll find them available for sale on an average of between $1,500-$2,000.
How Often Does The German Malinois Breed Shed?Â
German Malinois breed sheds moderately throughout the year although they shed heavily when the seasons are changing. When they shed, they leave behind fur that can be seen on the floor and furniture. To make sure that their fur does not ruin your mats or carpets, brush your puppy with a bristle brush at least twice a week.
Grooming Schedule of The German Malinois
Besides brushing their coat regularly, there are other grooming requirements of the breed that you need to do to keep your pup healthy:
- Brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week after meals. Brushing your dog’s teeth is a good way to ensure they aren’t suffering from dental issues. Trim their toenails to ensure that they do not crawl on furniture.
- Check the ears for any possible infection and clean them with soft cotton balls.
- Since they have minimal doggy order than other mixed breeds, bathe them only when needed.
- Clean the paws with water and vinegar solution after they have been outside. It will help remove dirt and prevent possible germ infections.
What are the Best Activities and Things to Do with a Malinois German Shepherd Mix?
There are many things that people can do with their Malinois German Shepherd Mix, but it is important to know what activities are most suitable for the particular dog.
The best activities for a Malinois German Shepherd Mix will vary depending on the individual dog’s personality and needs. Some dogs might be more suited for obedience training, while others might be better suited for agility training.
The following activities and things to do with a Malinois German Shepherd Mix will help you to get the most out of your new pet:
- Playing fetch, tug-of-war, and frisbee with your Malinois German Shepherd Mix
- Teaching your dog to sit, lay down, shake, or high-five you in different ways
- Taking your energetic puppy for hiking, jogging, or biking
- Taking them for hunting small game as they have an excellent sense of smell
- Doing agility training and obedience training
- Taking part in dog sports that a German Malinois can compete in including flyball, dock diving, weight pulling, tracking, herding, obedience trials, and agility competitions.
7 Reasons to Adopt a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix
There are many reasons to bring home one of these versatile dogs if you can commit an abundance of time to them. Below, we have discussed 7 reasons to adopt a German Malinois breed:
- The Belgian Malinois is a dog that is easy to train, eager to please, and very social. They also have a high degree of intelligence which makes them easy to train.
- Their short coat is easy to groom, especially when they shed seasonally.
- Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix has an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years, making them one of the longest-living breeds in the world.
- Given their exceptional endurance, the Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix has great stamina, which makes it ideal for hunting and tracking prey in the wild or acting as a police dog in urban settings.
- This is a dog breed that has the ability to learn from their mistakes and will always be able to learn new things in order to keep up with the family’s lifestyle changes.
- Their energetic and playful nature makes them perfect for families with kids who need some entertainment in their lives.
- They are also great for people who want a dog that is more active than a typical poodle or golden retriever.
What Are Some of The Health Concerns of the German Malinois?
The health concerns of this mixed breed can range from joint problems to stomach disorders. The main health issues are hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and cataracts, hypothyroidism, and allergies.
Get your pup’s physical health and wellness checked out throughout the year. The best way to know how they’re doing is to schedule a vet’s appointment, and make sure you take their x-rays, dental, ear, eye exams, blood analysis, and blood and urine analysis routinely.
Conclusion
The Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix is one of the most popular mixed breeds in America and Europe due to their intelligence, endurance, and loyalty. These workaholic dogs have an uncanny ability to work with humans. If you have the time and experience needed to care for the breed, then the German Malinois can be your life-long companion.
Thank you for reading the article.
To explore more, check out other articles that we have covered on the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd breeds.
Are you thinking of getting one of these mixed puppies? Do you think you can handle the German Malinois puppy? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!
Honestly! German Malinois are such amazing dogs! They are incredibly intelligent and have an incredible work ethic. They make great companions for active individuals who can keep up with their energy levels. MOst times it’s super hard to keep pace with them though.
I have a Belgian Malinois and I absolutely love her. She’s so loyal and intelligent, and she always keeps me on my toes. These dogs really do require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, but it’s all worth it in the end.
German Shepherds are also great dogs, but I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the Malinois. They have a certain intensity and drive that’s hard to find in other breeds.
My friend has a Belgian Malinois and he’s trained her to compete in dock diving competitions. It’s amazing to see how high and far she can jump!
My cousin has a Malinois X and he’s one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met. He loves nothing more than curling up on the couch with his humans and getting lots of belly rubs. But he becomes a different dog when it comes to work. That dog’s got a work-mode switch or something I promise.
A lot of people are intimidated by German Malinois because of their size and intensity, but I think they are really just big softies at heart.
Is the Malinois X just as protective and watchful as the German Shepherd?
Absolutely! Malinois X is a great breed for protection and watchfulness, just like the German Shepherd.
One of my coworkers has a German Malinois and he’s trained him to do all sorts of cool tricks, like playing dead and giving high-fives. It’s always a treat to see the dog show off his skills.
That’s awesome to hear! German Malinois are known for their intelligence and trainability, so it’s not surprising that your coworker’s pup can do such cool tricks. I bet it’s a lot of fun to watch.
And don’t forget, German Malinois are also highly motivated to please their owners. Their desire to work and learn new things is unmatched, which makes them great candidates for all sorts of training, from basic obedience to advanced tricks and even working roles like police and military dogs. It’s amazing to see what these dogs can accomplish with the right training and guidance.
I’ve always been impressed by how intelligent German Malinois are. They seem to be able to pick up on commands and cues so quickly.
As someone who has raised both parent breeds, the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois, I can confidently say that the Malinois X is the best of both worlds. A piece of advice: Don’t underestimate the German Malinois’s smarts. These dogs are super intelligent and they need plenty of mental stimulation like puzzle toys to keep them occupied along with the heavy physical requirements.
Do you have any tricks to training a German Malinois?
One thing to keep in mind when training a German Malinois is that they can be sensitive to negative reinforcement. It’s important to use positive reinforcement techniques to build a strong bond with your dog.
Training a German Malinois requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. One trick that has worked for me is to make training sessions short and frequent, rather than long and infrequent. Also, using high-value treats as rewards can help keep them motivated during training. Good luck with your training!
Is apartment-living acceptable for these dogs as long as they get enough exercise?
Absolutely! German Malinois can adapt to apartment living, but it’s important to keep in mind that these dogs have a lot of energy and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. While they can thrive in smaller spaces, they’re definitely better off with a large area to run and play around in. So if you’re thinking about bringing one of these pups into your apartment, make sure you have plenty of time to take them out for walks and playtime in a nearby park.
I didn’t see you mention the serving sizes fit for a German Malinois! Can I know how much food these dogs require on a daily basis? please.
Hey there! From what I’ve figured out, the amount of food your Belgian Malinois needs depends on their age and activity level. For puppies, it’s recommended to feed them 0.5 to 1.5 cups of food divided 3 times per day. Adult Malinois require 2.5 to 3.5 cups of food per day depending on their activity level. And for senior Malinois, 2.5 cups of food per day is recommended. Hope that helps!