Breed profile
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)
Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.
SizeLarge
ExerciseVery high
GroomingModerate
ChildrenLimited
BarkingModerate
HealthModerate
What this means
Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.
Read how evidence is handledAt a glance
Key facts
Size classLarge
Adult weight18 to 36.3 kg
Exercise needVery high
Energy levelVery high
BarkingModerate
Grooming effortModerate
Health burdenModerate
Breed profile
Life with this breed
Home and lifestyle
- Flat suitability
- Poor fit
- Alone tolerance
- Low
- Energy level
- Very high
- First-time owner fit
- Poor fit
Care and training
- Minimum daily exercise
- 120 minutes
- Mental stimulation
- Very high
- Trainability
- Excellent
- Grooming effort
- Moderate
- Professional grooming
- Low maintenance
- Shedding
- Moderate
Household fit
- Children
- Limited
- Dogs
- Limited
- Cats
- Moderate
- Prey drive
- High
- Visitors
- Limited
Health and evidence
- Health burden
- Moderate
- Heat tolerance
- Moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Moderate
Health-burden evidence confidence: Medium.
Recorded health considerations
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.
Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.