Belgian Malinois Military Dog Breeds

Tracking humans for suspect apprehension in police work.

Belgian malinois military dog breeds. Today they also work as police and military dogs protection dogs and loving family members. The name malinois comes from mechelen a city of the region of flanders in belgium. But as always you. You ll be surprised with some of the picks on our military dog breeds list.

As their names imply the belgian malinois was developed in belgium and the german shepherd in germany. Incredibly intelligent highly attentive athletic and loyal the belgian malinois is one of four related belgian shepherd breeds that were originally developed as herding dogs. If you re anything like me the moment you think military dog you envision a german shepherd dog or doberman patrolling a barbed wire fence and barking fiercely when confronted by the enemy. The malinois was one of four varieties of belgian shepherd dog in use in the late 1800s.

It is a breed that yearns to be challenged physically and mentally. Medium in size and of strong build the breed distinguishes itself by short hair a cinnamon hued coat and black muzzles cheeks and ears. Mals became the preferred breed for police and military matters though the public often misjudged the breed as a german shepherd. The belgian malinois dog breed is ideal for military work.

The breed is used as a working dog for tasks including detection of odors such as explosives accelerants and narcotics. The malinois is a medium to large breed of dog sometimes classified as a variety of the belgian shepherd dog rather than as a separate breed. Today the belgian malinois is one of the four recognized belgian shepherd types together with the laekenois the groendeal and the tervuren. Belgian malinois are squarely built proud and alert herders standing 22 to 26 inches.

In the 1960s the use of the malinois spread across the country like wildfire. It s an image that we ve so many times in movies and television shows. In these roles the malinois is an expert narcotics and explosives detector a fearless scout and an unyielding protector. The name malinois is derived from malines the french name for the breed s flemish city of origin mechelen.

A belgian malinois is a loyal loving companion who needs training and every opportunity to stay physically active and intellectually engaged. The belgian malinois was officially recognized by the akc in 1959. Not for the novice owner the belgian malinois needs a firm yet compassionate leader who is willing to spend time with. Canines of the belgian malinois dog breed were originally bred to be herding dogs.

And search and rescue missions. The belgian malinois is a highly intelligent breed famed for its accomplishments as a police and military dog. As one might expect this breed is hard working intense and very loyal.