The Belgian Malinois is often confused with the German Shepherd because of similarities in appearance.
Hybrid dogs attempt to combine two pure-bred dogs to produce a dog with desirable traits from both breeds. A mix between the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois is not much of a stretch; the breeds share common ancestry, traits and appearance.
German Malinois
The mix of a German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois produces a dog that's similar in appearance to both dogs since they are already so similar. The German Malinois tends to be slightly smaller and weigh less than the German Shepherd. The dog's top line is also more square than a German Shepherd's because it doesn't have as much slope there. The dogs can reach up to 75 lbs., depending on the parent's size.
Coat
The coat of both dogs can vary from shorter hair to a long coat. The Belgian Malinois is usually varying shades of tan; the German Shepherd is tan with a black face and back but can also be found all black, fawn, blue or white. The mix of coats can produce a myriad of combinations that resembles both breeds. Although both parent breeds have a thick double coat, they only shed a few times a year and are considered medium-shed dogs. The German Malinois requires weekly brushing but not washing. The coat is waterproof, so washing it too much can strip the coat's protective oils.
Temperament
The German Malinois' temperament varies based on the parents of the mixed dog, but both breeds have certain characteristics in common that are likely to manifest in the mixed breed. Both dogs are highly intelligent herding dogs and have a strong instinct to work and be useful. A bored German Malinois can become aggressive or destructive. The dogs are protective of their family, so they need to be socialized properly so they're not overtly aggressive to strangers and other dogs.
Health
The German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are prone to hip and elbow displasia, so the German Malinois should be checked frequently for joint problems. Both dogs can suffer from allergies that affect the skin. Because diet can greatly influence a dog's allergies, give a German Malinois a diet with a low wheat content. This is a common allergen and a food that doesn't include food coloring.
Related posts
The German Shepherd Dog has many possible jobs.Need a guard, herding or family dog? You may want to consider the German Shepherd Dog. This breed is one of the American Kennel Club's most often reg...
The German shepherd is a powerful and athletic dog breed.Fewer dog breeds appear as similar as the Alsatian (officially knows as the Alsatian shepalute or American Alsatian) and the German shepher...
The German shepherd is a multipurpose working dog.The German shepherd dog breed dates back to 1882, when dog breeders started combining several herding breeds to create an intelligent, obedient do...
What Do White German Shepherds Cost?The white German shepherd, also known as the white Alsatian, or white shepherd, is a mutation of the regular German shepherd dog breed. They are known for their...
German Shepherds are a popular breed in the United States.According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. The German Shepherd is...
