Are you looking to find out which one is better for you, male vs. female Belgian Malinois? You’re in the right spot!
Belgian Malinois is one of four types of Belgian shepherd dogs – the other three being Belgian Laekenois, Groenendael, and Tervuren.
It is also one of many dogs that look like German Shepherds and many people know it as the skinnier, short-haired version of our beloved GSDs.
As one of the most popular guard dogs in the US, it’s no surprise that many people are wondering about the gender differences. In the end, when you’re looking for a great watchdog, everything is important.
So, male vs. female – let’s see all of their characteristics, so you can decide which one is the better choice for you!
Physical Characteristics
As mentioned, many people confuse Belgian Malinois with German Shepherds. While they are entirely separate breeds, it’s easy to see where this confusion comes from.
This is a large, muscular dog with a short, sable coat, black mask, black markings on its ears, and white stomach and the inside of the legs.
Its ears are naturally upright, and its tail is long, with a somewhat longer coat on the inner side. Its eyes are brown – or, as some people like to say, the color of Belgian chocolate.
Grooming Belgian Malinois is really easy due to their coat type. They are low-shedding, and all you need to do is brush them every few days with a good bristle brush. However, they are not hypoallergenic, so if you’re suffering from dog allergies, they might not be the best choice.
So, where are the differences between male vs female Belgian Malinois?
| Height | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Male Belgian Malinois | 24 – 26 inches | 60 – 80 lbs |
| Female Belgian Malinois | 24 – 26 inches | 40 – 60 lbs |
Male
While both male and female Belgian Malinois are big dogs, males are noticeably larger.
They typically have a height between 24 and 26 inches and weight between 60 and 80 lbs.
Male Malinois are quite more muscular and have a stockier build. This can make them appear more intimidating.
Female
In many dog breeds, males are taller than females. Just look at male vs female Chow Chows, for example.
However, when it comes to Belgian Malinois, females have the same height as males, and they can reach 24 – 26 inches.
Still, they are much slimmer, and they rarely weigh more than 40 – 60 lbs.
They are more elegant in appearance, and they don’t have as much muscle mass as males do.
Temperament
One of the first things every Belgian Malinois dog owner will tell you is that these dogs have high energy levels. They are extremely active dogs and need plenty of exercise to keep them entertained and prevent them from developing behavioral issues.
This means they are not a good choice for people living in apartments, especially if that apartment is of a smaller size.
They are protective and territorial dogs that can be aloof with strangers. However, they are extremely loyal and affectionate toward their owner and can create strong bonds with humans.
Due to the breed’s high prey drive, you need to be very careful when introducing them to small pets, such as cats, rabbits, or hamsters.
However, with proper early socialization, they can do just fine with other dogs in the household.
Keep in mind that there are many social and environmental factors that can have a strong influence on the personality of a dog. Not everything is in hormones and gender, so this is something to think about.
Male
Male Belgian Malinois have certain temperamental characteristics that set them apart from females. This is also the main reason why some people choose one gender over the other.
Most Malinois owners have stated that male Malinois are much more active than females. They are also friendlier and might be easier to pair with other pets.
Two males can get along just fine, but I advise you to neuter your pets to avoid fights when they pass next to a female in heat.
Also, males might need much attention, more than female Malinois, to the point of some people considering them clingy. They might even suffer from separation anxiety when you are away!
As such, I wouldn’t advise male Malinois to people who work long office hours.
Female
Dealing with a female Belgian Malinois can be a bit trickier.
Female Malinois are more independent than males. They aren’t as friendly and prefer doing things their own way.
This doesn’t mean they cannot bond with their owners, as this certainly happens. However, they are more likely to be aggressive towards other people and pets in the household, especially other female Malinois.
In fact, same-sex aggression is quite prominent in females who aren’t neutered, but these pups can live with males with no large issues.
Finally, females are known for being moody due to hormone changes in their estrus cycle. Even if you spay your pooch, she will still experience mood swings and might have days when she’ll feel crankier.
Because of this, most experienced owners wouldn’t recommend female Belgian Malinois to novice pet keepers.
Socialization Requirements
No matter the dog breed, early socialization is the key to ensuring your pooch is on its best behavior.
Socialization can help a Belgian Malinois puppy get used to various people and environments and stop it from reacting in a bad way to various stimuli.
There aren’t that many differences in male vs female Belgian Malinois when it comes to socialization requirements. Here are a few things you need to pay attention to, though:
Male
Males are friendlier, so they might not need as much socialization training as females. This, however, doesn’t mean they don’t need regular socialization.
Due to their social nature, males will want constant attention. They will need to spend a lot of time with you and communicate with you on a regular basis.
If you, for any reason, haven’t neutered your male Belgian Malinois and don’t plan to, it’s essential to teach him how to behave around other males as early as possible.
Otherwise, you are risking chaos. Belgian Malinois males can fight to the death, and no one wants this to happen.
Female
Females, due to their unfriendly nature, typically require more socialization than males. You’ll need to teach them how to behave around other dogs (especially females!), strangers, and young children as soon as possible.
Even if you do everything right, some females will simply refuse to stay friends with other females. Unfortunately, if this is the case, there is little you can do.
Respect your dog’s wishes and don’t force her to befriend a dog she is obviously having problems with. Malinois are stubborn dogs, and you aren’t likely to win.
Trainability
When dealing with working dogs, trainability is one of the most important aspects. No canine can be a good guard dog if they aren’t properly trained, and dogs that are challenging to train might not be good for everyone.
Luckily, when it comes to dog training, most Malinois are rather easygoing. They love to please their owners, and they are very intelligent. This is why they are considered some of the best police dogs.
However, due to their independent streak and territorial nature, they need dedicated owners who have experience with large dogs.
In fact, trainability is one of the main reasons why you should be really smart when choosing between female and male Belgian Malinois. Here’s what I mean:
Male
Male dogs are more energetic and more playful than females. While they can create bonds with their owners rather quickly, their outgoing nature and high drive can make them harder to train.
In the case of Belgian Malinois, these pups can be rather childish. They will prefer playing to learning new comments, so teaching them how to behave can be frustrating.
Male Belgian Malinois can have trouble focusing, especially if they are full of energy. This is why you should always train them after a workout session, as they’ll be more patient at that time.
Their high territorial instincts is another problem, as they can feel endangered by other male dogs, so this is something you’ll need to pay close attention to.
Also, if you have a male that isn’t neutered, you’ll have a hard time training him if there’s a female in heat nearby. And no, I don’t just mean in your backyard. If a female dog just walks next to your house, your male Malinois will sense her, and his focus will disappear.
This is why, even though males are friendlier than females, they are typically reserved for more experienced dog owners and trainers who will know how to deal with their babyish temperament.
Female
As you’ve probably guessed it, females are generally easier to train. Still, things aren’t that simple.
Females are more serious than males. They mature more quickly, and they’ll have no trouble focusing on their owners during training sessions.
Also, as they have less energy, you won’t need to plan obedience classes in advance as much.
In fact, many dogs doing the police work are female Belgian Malinois.
However, females can be moody, especially if they are intact. Just as is the case with humans, their mood will be dependent on the estrus cycle, which means they can experience changes in temper depending on the time of the cycle.
Even if you’ve spayed your female in time, they might still experience certain hormonal changes throughout the year.
You will have a hard time training your female Malinois during her moody period. She’ll be cranky, and bad behaviors are more likely. This should be entirely understandable, though. No one wants to teach new things when they are not feeling well.
If you can deal with her mood swings, however, you’ll find that females are much more obedient and much faster learners.
Health Problems
When it comes to health, this is pretty universal for Belgian Malinois regarding their gender.
Belgian Malinois is a generally healthy breed. They have a long life expectancy of 10 to 14 years, and they aren’t prone to many health conditions.
This is especially the case if you purchase from proper Belgian Malinois breeders who conduct various health screenings on their dogs, ensuring they don’t have the genes for many diseases.
Some of the Belgian Malinois breed health problems might include:
- Hip dysplasia, a joint disorder common in large dog breeds.
- Eye problems, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
- Bloat, a deadly stomach condition.
- Epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures and is fairly common in Belgian shepherd breeds.
However, certain conditions are specific to a certain gender. Males and females have different reproductive organs and different hormone levels, so a few health conditions are unique to one or the other.
Male
Intact male dogs are more prone to health conditions connected with their reproductive organs. This includes issues such as prostate enlargement and testicular cancer.
By neutering your Belgian Malinois while they are just a puppy, you will decrease or entirely eliminate the chances of certain health issues.
Here’s a fun fact for you: A study has shown that fixed males live slightly shorter lives than fixed females, but this difference is barely noticeable.
The same study has also shown that activity levels can affect the health of breeds and the dogs themselves. As male Malinois are more active than females, this should mean they have a lower chance of suffering from many health conditions.
Female
Just like males, intact females are prone to certain health problems that affect their reproductive organs. This includes pyometra, ovarian, and uterine cancer. They can also suffer from false pregnancies.
Female dogs of any breed are also a bit more prone to UTIs, even after they have been spayed.
Spaying a female might be even more important than neutering a male. The same piece of research I’ve mentioned has shown that intact females live the shortest. The good thing is that females that were spayed in puppyhood seem to live the longest.
Breeding And Parental Instincts
Finally, if you’re looking to breed your Belgian Malinois, or are simply curious, you’re probably wondering about differences in breeding and parental instincts of this breed.
Everyone probably already knows that males and females play a different role in breeding. But what does this mean for their behavior? Let’s see!
Male
Male Belgian Malinois don’t have a long-term role in breeding and raising puppies. They will do their job, and that’s it.
Because of this, most male dogs don’t have strong parental instincts. In fact, there isn’t any proof that male Malinois recognize the puppies as their own.
Some people have even reported their male Malinois becoming aggressive towards their own offspring!
Because of this, you should carefully introduce the father to the new litter. While rare, accidents like these can happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
As male dogs don’t have much work to do during the breeding process, you can breed them much more often than females.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the owner of the male dog typically doesn’t have any rights towards the puppies.
Female
On the other hand, females carry most of the breeding process. They will carry the puppies for the next two months in their belly, they will give birth to them, and they will take care of the young ones.
Because of this, their parental instinct is very strong. Female Belgian Malinois can be very affectionate, not just to their litter, but to most puppies around them. Some dog owners even claim their Malinois dames are extremely careful around small children, as well!
Also, they will need more time to recover from carrying and birthing the puppies, which is why it isn’t advisable to breed a female more than once a year.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the owner of the female dog legally becomes the owner of the puppies, as well.
Of course, you can make different arrangements with the owner of the male dog, if you’d like.
Should You Get A Male Or A Female Belgian Malinois?
Finally, we’re here for the question of the day: Male vs female Belgian Malinois, which one should you get?
Male Malinois are hard headed dogs that will love to have things done their own way. They are more affectionate toward their human family members, but they are challenging to train.
This, combined with their aggression toward other males, makes them a better choice for more experienced owners.
On the other hand, female Malinois might be better suited for an average household that just wants a good guard dog. While they aren’t as affectionate toward strangers, they are easier to train and tend to be better working dogs.
Either way, Belgian Malinois are intelligent dogs that will make sure you and your home are safe no matter what.
They are healthy pups with just a few common health problems and do amazingly in working environments.
Don’t let common misconceptions about their aggressive nature keep you from enjoying the company of these truly glorious canines.
Just remember that you’re making a choice that will stay with you for up to 14 years, so for both you and your dog, think carefully about the gender that might work better for you.
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.