German Shepherd Dog vs Belgian Malinois
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| German Shepherd Dog | Belgian Malinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Large | Large |
| Adult weight | 22.7 to 40.8 kg | 18.1 to 36.3 kg |
| In pounds | 50 to 90 lb | 40 to 80 lb |
| Adult height | 56 to 66 cm | 56 to 66 cm |
| Energy | Very high | High |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Medium double | Short smooth |
| Shedding | High | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years | 14 to 16 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Fine with supervision |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Germany | Belgium |
The main differences
- The German Shepherd Dog is the bigger dog: 22.7 to 40.8 kg against 18.1 to 36.3 kg for the Belgian Malinois.
- The German Shepherd Dog needs more exercise: very high energy against high for the Belgian Malinois.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- The Belgian Malinois usually lives longer: 14 to 16 years against 12 to 14 years.
- With children, the German Shepherd Dog is rated reliably good and the Belgian Malinois fine with supervision.
Temperament
German Shepherd Dog: Steady of nerve, loyal, self-assured, courageous and tractable, never nervous, over-aggressive or shy.
Belgian Malinois: The Belgian Malinois is a squarely built herding dog bred to work hard all day, confident, highly trainable and intensely focused on their handler. They need a real job and daily mental work, and they are a poor fit for a quiet household.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
German Shepherd Dog
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Belgian Malinois
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened by hip and elbow evaluation of breeding stock
- Progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual degeneration of the retina, picked up by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Cataracts, a clouding of the lens, found on a veterinary eye exam
- Pannus and other chronic eye conditions, monitored by regular eye examinations
- Joint injury from repetitive high impact work, so growth plates should be respected before heavy jumping
Common questions
Which is bigger, the German Shepherd Dog or the Belgian Malinois?
The German Shepherd Dog. Adults weigh 22.7 to 40.8 kg, against 18.1 to 36.3 kg for the Belgian Malinois, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the German Shepherd Dog or the Belgian Malinois?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 14 years for the German Shepherd Dog and 14 to 16 years for the Belgian Malinois. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the German Shepherd Dog or the Belgian Malinois better with children?
The German Shepherd Dog scores higher for children (5 against 3 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin