Many people do not realize that the Belgian Shepherd and the Malinois are, in fact, the same overall breed. More precisely, the Malinois is one coat variety of the Belgian Shepherd. So there is no need to keep struggling with whether they are different dogs. The reason the Malinois is more familiar is simply that it has a short coat, adapts well, and is therefore more commonly used as a police or military dog.
The Belgian Shepherd and the Malinois
In a broad sense, the Belgian Shepherd and the Malinois are one breed, or more accurately, the Malinois is one type of Belgian Shepherd. The Malinois is one of the four main Belgian Shepherd varieties. The biggest differences between the four types are in coat length, coat texture, and coat color. Their temperament, body structure, and general behavior do not differ greatly. The Malinois is the short-haired type, while the others include longer-haired and rough-coated varieties.
Characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd
The Belgian Shepherd is known for its beautiful appearance, strong and flexible build, developed muscles, and strong alertness. It is intelligent, highly vigilant, and deeply devoted to its owner. It also naturally protects flocks and the owner's property. These characteristics make the Belgian Shepherd an excellent police or military working breed. If trained properly, it can be a tremendous help in work. For people living in rural areas or in detached houses, a Belgian Shepherd can also be a very good guard dog.
Although the Malinois has become especially popular in recent years, the broader Belgian Shepherd name is still less familiar to many people. In fact, besides the Malinois variety, most Belgian Shepherds are long-haired and shed quite a lot. They are also not especially well suited to the hot and humid climate in many parts of China. So if you really want a Belgian Shepherd, the Malinois is usually the most practical recommendation.