Temperament
Temperament and drive, explained plainly
Drive is the word people use. Here is what it means at 6 a.m. in your living room.
What the breed was built to do
Malinois began as Belgian herding dogs, short-coated and fawn with a dark mask. Herding rewarded stamina, alertness and a strong desire to work with a person. Those traits carried into police, military and sport work, which is why the breed shows up there so often.
Drive in daily life
- Work drive: a constant wish for a task. Without one, it invents tasks you will not like.
- Prey drive: a strong urge to chase moving things, including bikes, squirrels and sometimes smaller pets.
- Handler focus: intense attention on its person, which makes training rewarding and separation hard.
Sensitivity
Many Malinois react quickly to sounds, movement and changes in their handler's mood. That makes them excellent alerters. It also means rough, inconsistent or anxious handling can produce a reactive dog.
Size and build
Adults typically stand 22 to 26 inches and weigh 45 to 65 pounds, lean and athletic. Their size can fool people into underestimating how much dog they are.
Next, see how this plays out day to day in living with a Malinois.
Quick answers
Are Malinois aggressive?
A well-bred, well-raised Malinois is not aggressive without cause. Intensity, though, makes mistakes in training and socialization costly.
Do they bond to one person?
Many form a very strong bond with their main handler, though they can still be polite with others.
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