Belgian Malinois
Breed Stats
Belgian Malinois Puppy Overview
Belgian Malinois looks a lot like a German shepherd with a similar color pattern and build. They have long snouts and pointy ears as adults, but as puppies, they have those cute little floppy ears and short, rounded snouts. When fully grown, male Belgian Malinois tend to be 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 60 to 80 pounds, and females tend to be around 40 to 60 pounds and 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder.
Typically, they have great hearing, a calm temperament, and the ability to learn just about anything. This is because the Belgian Malinois is a highly intelligent working dog breed that’s bred to be receptive to training, loyal to their handlers, and a perfect fit for police and military service. This makes them a great fit for people who have the time and patience to train them because they’re a disciplined breed.
While these dogs tend to be found in working dog roles, thanks to their great temperaments, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a Belgian Malinois puppy. In fact, you can find them for sale in your area if you use the right tools and know how to pick out reliable breeders.
Belgian Malinois make great puppies due to the traits we just mentioned but also because they’re easy to work with, whether that’s grooming, training, or playing. What’s more, they’re great around children due to their calm temperament, but you should keep an eye on them around other animals as a slight prey drive can be present.
General information about the Belgian Malinois aside, you’re here to find Belgian Malinois puppies for sale, right? If so, you’ve come to the right place, and we’re about to lay everything out for you to make the process of finding the perfect puppy a breeze.
This article takes you through everything you need to know about the purchasing process, including where you can find them, how to choose the right breeders, and how you can even begin your search without getting off your couch. Read on to learn everything you need to know to start the process.
How to Find Belgian Malinois Puppies for Sale?
If you’re trying to find Belgian Malinois Puppies for sale, you’ve come to the right place. At DogAcademy, we offer a handful of online adoption tools that will help you find Belgian Malinois puppies in your area. Not only do we make the process a breeze, but we’ll also only show you reputable breeders to ensure that the puppy you’re getting is up to breed standards.
Aside from using an online adoption tool, you can always check with local breeders and make sure those local breeders are accredited by kennel clubs and following standards outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you don’t know how to start your search, check with your vet or use one of our online tools to start your journey.
Not a fan of buying puppies? Don’t worry; you can always adopt them from a shelter or rescue in your area. You’ll just have to wait until a Belgian Malinois puppy becomes available.
How to Find a Good Belgian Malinois Puppy Breeder?
The best way to find a good Belgian Malinois breeder is to use one of our online adoption tools. However, you can also check with vets in your area because they tend to work with breeders when dogs need to be spayed, dewormed, or otherwise treated for health issues. If your vet recommends a Belgian Malinois breeder, that’s the only green flag you need.
If you’re looking for a Belgian Malinois breeder yourself, keep an eye out for red flags like breeders who haven’t been around for a while, breeders who aren’t online, and breeders who can’t supply medical records.
How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Puppy Cost?
A Belgian Malinois puppy doesn’t cost as much as some designer dog breeds, but demand is still high, so expect to pay a pretty penny for a purebred Belgian Malinois puppy. On average, breeders will sell them for around $1,500 to $3,500, and some breeders may charge more if the puppy comes from a lineage of working dogs or dogs that have won competitions.
Now, if you want to save some money, you wait until a Belgian Malinois puppy becomes available in a shelter or through a rescue. You may have to wait, but sometimes you’ll get lucky, and one will be available.
In these cases, you just have to pay the adoption fee, which is around $400 to $800 on average. You can also enter into a fostering program and foster one. After the foster period, you usually have the option to adopt them.
Belgian Malinois For Sale
How to Care for a Belgian Malinois Puppy?
Caring for a Belgian Malinois puppy is where things get a little interesting, so make sure you understand the level of attention they require before purchasing one. Typically, Belgian Malinois puppies require a lot of mental and physical stimulation, especially once you get to the three to six-month range. At this time, you’ll want to start playing, training, and walking them for several hours daily. This ensures that they don’t go ballistic and lash out at night due to boredom. When it comes to training, focus on courses that stimulate their mind because they like some complicated stuff due to their heritage of service work. Regardless of the type of training, make sure you always use positive reinforcement. It gets the best results.
Training is important, but so is keeping your Belgian Malinois puppy healthy. Make sure you have specific puppy food to ensure their bones, joints, and muscles grow properly. To help them get the best nutrients, along with the necessary vitamins and minerals, consider a combination of grain-free dry food and premium wet food.
Some good sources of protein and fat include beef, salmon, and some vegetables. Also, chicken is a great lean protein you can use to keep your pet’s weight down, especially if they’re not as active.
Last but not least, don’t forget to groom them. You’ll want to brush them a few times per week to remove any clumps of hair and to prevent matting. You may even want to increase this frequency during shedding seasons (fall and spring) to keep your home clean. When it comes to bathing and nail trimming, do so as needed, and consider taking them to a professional for more assistance.
Is It a Good Idea to Buy a Belgian Malinois Puppy As Your First Dog?
As young dogs, the Belgian Malinois can be hard puppies to control. They’re loaded with energy and require a lot of attention, training, and mental/physical stimulation. For these reasons, the Belgian Malinois might not be the right fit for first-time dog parents who don’t have the time, patience, or energy to handle these needs.
That said, if you don’t mind committing to a training routine and helping them stay active, you really can’t go wrong with this dog breed because they’re kind, loving, and loyal. Therefore, whether or not they’re good dogs comes down to how you want to approach training and how much time you have to spend with them.
Thankfully, you can tip the scales in your favor with an appropriate dog training course that will help you build a solid foundation for your Belgian Malinois. We recommend starting with something like our Puppy Kindergarten class.
Buy the Right Belgian Malinois Puppy for You
The Belgian Malinois is a great dog breed, even as a puppy. As long as you have the time and energy to commit to them, you shouldn’t have any issues raising a Belgian Malinois into a loving, loyal, and happy adult dog.
Plus, they’re one of the best dog breeds to adopt as a puppy because you can really start to develop a strong bond at around six months. This makes it even easier for them to train, be more friendly, and be more loyal with less work.
That said, make sure you learn everything you can about the breed before adopting and consider how much time you have to spend with and train them. Otherwise, your dream of owning a Belgian Malinois can turn into a nightmare.
When it’s time to find a Belgian Malinois puppy for sale in your area, check out our online adoption tools for the best results. Also, consider some other breeds as well to see if one may work better for you than others.
