You’d be forgiven for confusing a Belgian Malinois with a German Shepherd.
The two breeds have a lot of similarities with regards to appearance and temperament.
However, there are some differences between these two renowned working dogs that sets them apart.
Unsurprisingly, Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd can often be bred intentionally or unintentionally to create a mixed dog.
This cross is usually called a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix. A relatively common cross breed, you can find them across the world.
In this article, we’re going to take a close look at the Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix.
With the introduction over, let’s take a close look at the Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix.
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What do you call a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix?
The easiest way to refer to this cross is Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix.
However, these dogs can also be referred to as a Malinois X. Other names include German Malinois and Shepinois.
Let’s take a closer look at the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd breeds.
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Belgian Malinois originated in the north western Belgian city called Malines. The breed is thought to have been developed in the late 1800s along with the Tervuren, the Groenendael and the Laekonois.
They were developed by trainers and working competitors which perhaps explains why Belgian Malinois make great service and working dogs within our society.
Although they’re often viewed as guard, military and police dogs in modern times, Belgian Malinois were initially used by Belgian sheepherders and Belgian cattlemen.
The American Kennel Club describe the Belgian Malinois as a “peerless livestock herder” in Belgium.
The first Belgian Malinois arrived in the United States in 1911 but the breed wasn’t recognised by the American Kennel Club until 1959.
They’re currently ranked the 43rd most popular breed in the USA to highlight their surge in popularity over the past few decades.
Nowadays, they’re considered world-class working dogs, whether it’s working in the military, police, drug detection, search and rescue or security.
German Shepherd
While you may not have encountered Belgian Malinois before this article, you’ll almost certainly have heard of the German Shepherd.
We can trace the German Shepherd’s origins back to 1890. An ex-German military capital Max von Stephanitz set about attempting to create his perfect working dog.
He encountered a dog named Hektor Linksrhein at a dog show in 1899 which left such an impression that he bought the dog immediately. He renamed Hektor to Horand von Grafrath, becoming the founder member of the dog breed.
The Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog) was created with Horand as the founding member.
Deutscher Schäferhund translates literally as German Shepherd dog, although their name was changed to Alsatian Wolf Dog in the UK during World War I.
German Shepherds are often used by the military, police, drug detection and much more due to their high IQ, impressive obedience and ability to learn.
The American Kennel Club ranks the German Shepherd as the second most-popular dog in the USA, while their the seventh most-popular breed in the UK.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix size
Belgian Malinois grow to a height range between 22 to 26 inches. They’ll usually weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Any male Malinois that are under 23 inches or over 27 inches and any female Malinois under 21 inches or over 25 inches don’t meet the AKC’s breed standard.
German Shepherds have an identical height range of 22 to 26 inches but they usually weigh a little more between 49 and 88 pounds.
So we can deduce that a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix can grow to between 22 and 26 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 90 pounds.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd characteristics
As with all mix breeds, there’s no guarantee which characteristics a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix will inherit from each parent.
Their coat color is reflect of both breeds, with incorporating shades of black, brown, fawn, blue and white.
They’ll have brown, almond shape eyes with ears that are set high and erect, mirroring the alert appearance of both parents.
A Malinois X should have a muzzle that is relatively long with a black nose.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix will have a double coat which sheds.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd personality
Although we can’t say with any certainty what characteristics a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix will have, it’s a pretty safe bet that this cross will yield a hard working dog.
The German Malinois are athletic, good-natured loyal and protective, which are all personality traits that both Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds have.
Belgian Malinois have an innate desire to protect their family members, which can make this hybrid a good family pet.
However, Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix will require socialization and training from a young age. This gives you the best chance to have a happy, level-headed and well-balanced dog.
Are Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mixes hypoallergenic?
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix aren’t hypoallergenic.
If you’re looking for a dog breed that doesn’t shed and is unlikely to trigger allergies, this probably isn’t the right mix for you.
Although there is no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic dog, the American Kennel Club outlines that there are some breeds that shed less.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix shedding
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd are moderate shedders, so you should be prepared for dog hair.
Malinois X owners will be required to brush their dogs at least twice a week to remove debris and dead hair. This will help to maintain the health and quality of their coat.
Most members of the cross breed will blow out their coats twice a year at the changing of the seasons.
You’ll need to make sure you take care of their ears, eyes and nails as well as their teeth that’ll need regular brushing.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix exercise requirements
German Malinois are high energy dogs, so owners will need to ensure their pet is getting sufficient exercise in order to prevent destructive or unwanted behaviour due to frustration.
Dog walking service provider Wag recommend up to 120 minutes a day for a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix. That equates to around 10 miles per week.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix lifespan
Belgian Malinois have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. German Shepherds, on the other hand, can live to between nine and 13 years.
Therefore, it’s safe to say the life expectancy of the Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix is likely to be around nine to 12 years.
How much is Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix?
The average price of this mix can vary. Belgian Malinois can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on each individual breeder. German Shepherds are slightly cheaper from $500 to $1000.
Other Potential costs include dog food, pet insurance, grooming, vet trips and much more. You can check out the best pet insurance options in the USA and the UK.
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix adoption
You’re best bet with regards to finding a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix is making a trip to your local rescue shelter. You can inquire about the availability of this cross.
Alternatively, you could contact Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dedicated rescue organisations for further help.
Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Mix to follow on Instagram
If you want to learn more about the cross breed, you can always head to social media to find out more. Dog owners will usually be quite forthcoming with advice and information to followers interested in learning more about the breed.
Here are some Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Mix to follow.
1) @jacalidog
2) @woodythemalinoisx
3) @_kaiserthegermanmaligator
4) @ella_the_germanmal
5) @shepinois
Anything else to consider?
If you’re interested in a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix puppy, you should contact an established and reputable breeder. They’ll usually ask you to fill out a questionnaire, place you on a waiting list and request a deposit.
It’s good practice to ask to see a puppy’s mother and father, watch the puppy interact with its mother, ask for the AKC and UKC papers for both parents as well as documentation regarding health checks at the vet.
In conclusion
German Shepherd lying down (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We’ve reached the end of our article on Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix.
There isn’t a lot of difference between the two breeds. They’re similar in size and appearance.
They’ve got not too dissimilar personalities, although there are some subtle differences.
