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| Country of Origin: |
Belgium |
| Group: |
Herding |
| Use today: |
Guardian, assistance, herding trials |
| Life Span: |
10-12 years |
| Color: |
Rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs giving an overlay appearance. The mask and ears are black. The underparts of the body, tail and breeches are lighter fawn, but washed-out fawn color on the body is a fault. The tips of the toes may be white, and a small white spot on the breastbone/prosternum is permitted, not to extend to the neck. |
| Coat: |
The coat should be comparatively short, straight, hard enough to be weather resistant, with a dense undercoat. It should be very short on the head, ears, and lower legs |
| Grooming: |
Groom regularly to maintain coat health |
| Height: |
Males, 24 to 26 inches in height; females 22 to 24 inches. |
| Weight: |
Bone structure for both is moderately heavy in proportion to height so that the dog is well balanced throughout. |
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What's this?
The Belgian Malinois is a striking dog, wearing a short fawn to mahogany coat with a black overlay. The breed's prick ears, dark eyes and keen expression mark it as the intelligent working dog it is. It bears some resemblance to the German Shepherd Dog to which, some European authorities claim, it may be related. In outline it is identical to the Belgian Sheepdog and the Tervuren, but its grooming needs are minimal, requiring only a weekly brushing. The Mal stands up to 26 inches at the shoulder and is best suited to a large home with a yard. The breed is loyal and trustworthy and makes an ideal family pet in situations where it can receive a moderate amount of exercise. Like most herding breeds, the Malinois is an independent thinker, so begin training early. This dog competes well in a number of canine sports, from obedience to herding to sledding. The Malinois is an excellent watchdog.
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