Belgian Malinois
VS
German Shepherd Dog
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Dog
Compare Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Dog side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Belgian Malinois
German Shepherd Dog
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
57 – 62 cm
61 – 65 cm
Weight
20 – 30 kg
33 – 37 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
9 – 13 years
Child friendly
3/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
5/5
3/5
Trainability
5/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
4/5
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Characteristics
Belgian Malinois
Super smart
Easy to train
Large
German Shepherd Dog
Great with kids
High energy
Protective
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois: medium‑large, lean, and highly athletic herding dog with a short fawn coat and black mask. Extremely intelligent, intense, loyal, and people‑focused. Needs firm structure, daily mental work, and heavy exercise; thrives with experienced, very active owners.
About German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is a medium‑large, athletic working breed, highly intelligent and trainable. Loyal and naturally protective, it needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise. It has a double coat with notable shedding and is widely used in police, military, and search and rescue roles.
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