Like other terriers, the West Highland White is smart, independent with a slight touch of stubbornness. Belgian Malinois are incredible, high-energy animals that can make excellent family dogs in the right household. This dog is known for its smart, confident, and versatile disposition. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. These medium-sized dogs were primarily bred to work on farms, herding sheep and cattle. But the breeds have a different head shape, and the Belgian Malinois is leaner than the German shepherd and has shorter fur. . Height at Withers: Male: 24-26 in. Try this for about 3 weeks. Eyes. Its always important to reach out to your vet first. . Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the right amount of food for your pet. Schipperkes are active, intelligent and curious dogs and have stubborn tendencies. The Belgian Malinois excels not only in herding, but also in protection and law enforcement; drug, bomb, and gas detection; search and rescue; tracking; obedience; sledding; agility; and therapy assistance to disabled, ill or elderly people. It may be difficult to determine whether your dog has allergies, an ear infection, or mites. Belgian Malinois have a shorter coat thats fawn in color with a black mask and ears. State: Louisiana. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The Belgian Malinois is a confident, intelligent working dog that takes pride in a job well done. If your pet does end up with dysplasia, treatment can range from pain medication and joint supplements to surgery. Some dogs can go longer between nail trims if they naturally wear down their nails through activity, such as walking on pavement. By developing a consistent nutritional diet for your dog, changes in cartilage strength may become noticeable and the ear may begin to straighten. The Belgian Malinois is a working breed with needs only an experienced owner can meet. Cookie Consent Tool. They are not the type of dog that can just be left in the backyard to entertain themselves. If your dog has an infection only in one ear, be careful to avoid spreading the infection to the other ear while using certain cleaning methods. Likewise, this breed isnt always appropriate for families with children. You can also offer steamed or blended fruits and vegetables to your puppy. Dam has a coat that is fawn w/ black mask in color. Therefore, they need ample daily exercise daily; otherwise, they become mischievous or high-strung. If you have Belgian Malinois, I am sure a food choice is an important issue. Official Standard of the Belgian Malinois General Appearance: The Belgian Malinois is a well-balanced square dog, elegant in appearance with an exceedingly proud carriage of head and neck. Both breeds are high energy and need a job to do to help stimulate their mind and keep them happy. These traits can make them phenomenal petsif theyre in the right household with an active, experienced pet parent. Another thing that can help in building cartilage is Vitamin C. Although dogs are able to produce their own vitamin C ( unlike humans) its recommended to feed them with whole food that contains this valuable vitamin. He is hardy and built to withstand the rugged Belgian climate. If you are worried about your dog having floppy ears into adulthood you can tape your dogs ears up to help strengthen the muscles and get the ears used to standing up on their own. Ear position can tell us a lot about how our dogs are feeling. This process may take a while. Check local animal shelters and breed-specific rescue groups for a Belgian Malinois in need of a home. An early period trauma can also be the cause. Belgians are instinctively protective so they should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Since Belgian Malinoisin particular are very prone to normal allergies, it is sometimes difficult to determine why they are scratching. All the better to hear you with! That said, Belgian Malinois are predisposed to a few medical issues. Always talk to your veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet. Maybe you will have to repeat this process couple of times but its not a big deal for your Mal, these rollers are very light in weight, as soon as you place them, your dog will forget about them.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_17',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Ear Implants PermaStay implants for canine, invented by Mr. Greg Miller are implants that can help your Mals ears to stand up. The ear should stand up without folding from the base. When a Mal gets an ear infection oftentimes one or both ears become floppy; this is frequently accompanied by a bad odor, scratching, and redness. Notice how the Beligian Malinois ears stick straight up from the crown of his head, but the German shepherd's are more angled to the side? A Belgian Malinois should live to be 12 to 15 years. German Shepherds have slightly longer fur with a black and tan or black and silver coat and a black saddle of fur over their back. The size should be proportional to the dogs head. If they are not, they need a little help from your side. You may notice your Mal licking their paws, rubbing their face, or developing ear infections more often. Atrophy means wasting away over time. The Belgian Malinois can be quite an intense dog with a high prey drive and instinct to chase and herd. But, in general, Belgian Malinois tend to have a slightly higher energy level than German Shepherds. Since the ears are made of cartilage, you can stimulate good cartilage development by a quality diet, rich in proteins and vitamin C. You should also provide chewing toys for your Mal to make important head muscles to exercise. We also participate in other affiliate programs and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (at no cost to you). These Belgian shepherds date back to the 1800s, and the Malinois gets its name from the city of Malines where it was developed. This can cause damage to certain areas in the ear as well as inflammation and further infection. The breed standard for the Belgian Malinois states that the ears should be stiff and erect. Chewing helps your Mals to relieve the pain that comes from teething. Some dogs will have erect ears at the end of a week of treatment. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Breeds: Belgian Sheepdog-Malinois. To view the contact email and phone number, please complete the reCAPTCHA below. Strong and well-muscled, but more elegant than bulky, there's an honest, no-frills look about them, as. It is typically safe for dogs to consume yogurt and cottage cheese; however, this does not mean that your dog will not have trouble digesting lactose. Its recommended not to touch your puppys ears too much. But if your Mal is 7 months old and his ears havent stood up yet, then you might consider a few options to help him. After talking with Belgian Malinois owners there are a large number of them who are concerned about their dogs ears not standing up; however, in a lot of cases, the dogs were not purebred Belgian Malinois. It is important to get your dog checked by a veterinarian immediately if you notice an ear infection has gone on too long. Check every day the strip as it will eventually fall off in a few days and its important to change it with a new one. learners. They reach back as early as the 18th Century. But its popularity rose again in the 1960s. Dam (Mom) Belgian Malinois. Puppy-hood can be a rather stressful period moving to a new home, vaccination, rapid growth so whole food vitamins support is crucial. Belgian Malinois are not your typical dog breed. An untreated ear infection can lead to serious long-term complications or may result in your dog needing surgery. It needs lots of mental stimulation and physical activity every day. The Belgian Malinois can live in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. Again, training and socialization should begin when your Belgian Malinois puppy is young and continue throughout their life. It stands about 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 cm) tall at the withers and weighs from 40 to 80 pounds (18.1 to 36.2 kg). Proper care and a high-quality diet will ensure your puppy develops as it should. He gives the impression of elegant robustness. Talk to your veterinarian, otherBelgian Malinois owners, reputable breeders, dog trainers, and rescue groups to learn more. These dogs also require proper training and socialization to ensure they are well-mannered. This makes them great running, hiking, and biking companions. The coat should be comparatively short and straight, hard enough to be weather resistant, with a dense undercoat. Select Your Region (opens a modal dialog), 2021 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Considerations for Pet Parents A Mals ears will stand up on their own if given time and the proper care. While we strive to give the most accurate and helpful information about your pets health that we can, this article is meant to be informational only and not medical advice. The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2022. Theyre best for owners with an active lifestyle who can provide plenty of ways for the dogs to exercise their minds and bodies. For Heartworms your dog should be tested. The age of 8 months is crucial as after that you wont be able to do much for your Mals ears and their upright position. Even if you dont have kids, its important to train your dog to be well-mannered around children, so youre always able to safely control situations. It may cause serious imbalances in other minerals and problems with bone growth. However, there are a few key differences between them. Its high herding instinct can cause it to try to nip at kids heels. Here are some things that you can do to set your puppy up for success. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pawsandlearn_com-netboard-1','ezslot_22',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pawsandlearn_com-netboard-1-0');You may be able to tell when your Belgian Malinois needs its ears cleaned. Feeding schedules in dogs are determined on a dog-by-dog basis. You can get ear forms from a breeder, groomer, or specialty supply store. 40-83 lb. No Ordinary Dog: My Partner from the Seal Teams to the Bin Laden Raid. In general, this breed is highly trainable, intelligent, and eager to please. Belgian Malinois will have drooping ears only if something is wrong with breeding/genetics, health. This breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm, but not harsh, training. A Belgian Malinois' eyes are medium-sized and slightly almond-shaped. Sometimes injury, even a relatively minor injury, early in your dogs life can result in an ear that does not grow properly. The mouth is well split, which means that when the mouth is open the commissures of the lips are pulled right back, the jaws being well apart. If a puppys parents have very large, floppy ears, anything you do wont help your Mals ears to stand up one day. Oftentimes Mals who do not receive the care they need have ears that may never lift. 2022 TrendingBreeds. Since the ears are made of cartilage, your Mal puppy needs a lot of protein in his diet. Since there is a number of studies about a raw diet, vets and dogs associations are either for or strongly against feeding We are pet lovers and we want to share our experience with pets that we gathered over the years. Improper nutrition or insufficient calcium early in your dogs life, as well as worms and other parasites that may rob your puppys body of nutrition, can also result in ears not growing properly. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. We only recommend high-quality products that are used and recommended by real owners. The Belgian Malinois is a strong and eager work dog that is built for any task. . One of the breed's trademarks is its high head carriage. Remove all seeds, stems, and leaves. Symptoms specific to mites include head and ear scratching, dark/crumbly reddish-brown discharge, dried blood, inflammation, and infections. In 1891, the Belgian Shepherd Dog Club was formed, and a panel of judges determined that there was a congruous type of native shepherd dog that was a square, medium-sized dog with well-set triangular ears. Mals are tireless and focused when there's a job to do or a . Belgian Malinois are born with floppy ears that fold over adorably into little triangles at the top of their heads. While this can certainly have its benefits, it can also make it difficult to have guests or strangers come into the house. The Belgian Malinois is a large dog, with males weighing between 55 and 80 pounds and females between 40 and 60 pounds. Both should be finished at the same time. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. His thick neck carries his clean-cut head with pride, and he always appears alert. He prefers cool climates, but readily adapts well to others. Please always consult a licensed veterinarian for pet medical advice. They thrive when they have a job and are extremely well-suited to becoming a working dog, such as in police and military operations. Example of young Malinois puppy with erect ears. Features: Upright ears (naturally) Expectations: Exercise Requirements: >40 minutes/day Energy Level: Very energetic Longevity Range: 10-12 yrs. Females are 22 to 24 inches and weigh 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms). The lips are thin, tight and strongly pigmented black. Bathing when dirty, brushing once or twice a week, and clipping the nails will keep your Malinois in great condition. Offer your Mal puppy a variety of chew toys. An early period trauma can also be the cause. Learn more about Wren - Located in Florida today. Although, each Belgian Malinois is different and you must learn what your own Mal is communicating to you. Your Malmay move his ears back or flatten them against his head when he isfeeling submissive, anxious or afraid. The ears are stiff and erect, proportionate to the head in size. Some hereditary health problems can occur in the breed. You will also need one unsharpened pencil and a plastic knife. The Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren all have the same origin. Require to see the puppys parents. It was specifically recommended to add glucosamine, a natural cartilage-building amino sugar to a Belgian Malinoiss diet to build the cartilage strong enough to hold the ears straight. In the case of genetics, you cannot do much. You want your Belgian Malinois puppy to have the best possible start to life, and that includes growing strong, noble, erect ears. Belgian Malinois are incredibly loyal dogs and tend to form an unbreakable bond with their human. What Can I Do To Stimulate My Malinois Dog Ears To Stand Up? Why Do Some Malinois Dogs Have One or Both Drooping Ears. Overshot and undershot . Temporalis muscle we have already mentioned in this article is highly involved in chewing. Males are slightly bigger than females. Ultimately, they want nothing more than to spend as much time with you as possible. Belgian Malinois breed standards suggest that ears should be firm and erect in adult dogs. Thus, it often doesn't do well around rambunctious children and might become nippy. You can find this supplement in liquid form ( Terra Max Pros for Dogs) which is the most suitable form as it is to ingest. This dog is at their happiest when they have a task or something to focus on. When this should happen? Insert the roller inside the dogs ears and wrap the ears around the rollers. Today, Belgian Malinois are often seen in the U.S. military and police forces. Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low Tendency to Bark: Moderate Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: Moderate, Length: Short Characteristics: Double coat, flat, straight Colors: Rich fawn with black tipped hairs, mahogany with black tipped hairs Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate, AKC Classification: Herding UKC Classification: Herding Dog Prevalence: So-so. What's the difference between a German shepherd and a Belgian Malinois? Provide a high-quality diet and offer him a variety of chew toys. The Belgian Malinois is one of the varieties of the Belgian shepherd. link to Why Is My Belgian Malinois Panting So Much? Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.com. Thank you. Parasites steal the nutrients from the food leaving your puppy without essential elements for proper development and growth. (2023). if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-leader-3','ezslot_12',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-leader-3-0'); You should regularly check your dogs poop and look for tapeworms, roundworms, or pinworms. If your puppy is 7 months old and he still has floppy ears you may consult the wet and try some of the methods many owners suggest such as the Pink roller method, Ear forms, or some other. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-114{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. The English cocker spaniel is cheerful, playful and thrives on companionship and being part of the family. A Mali's ears are large and triangular, and again, always standing to attention. This can lead to them chasing after cars, other animals, and even children. You canuse tape like this. Dont panic if your Malinois still has drooping ears at the age of 5 months. Its not uncommon if Malinois ears go between standing up and flopping down several times before they mature. . Read our, 10 Best Energetic Dog Breeds for Active People. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Too much calcium can bring many troubles to your puppy. The Belgian Malinois dog breed is known for its adorable ears that stand up straight; however, some Belgian Malinois owners often wonder why their new puppys ears are floppy. Simply put, progressive retinal atrophy causes retina deterioration, leading to blindness. A Belgian Malinois that has been fully trained for protection can cost as much as $45,000-$65,000. Be careful not to add too much calcium to your dogs diet as this can cause digestion problems and an upset stomach. This in turn makes their faces portray different expressions. The tail is likewise strong, curving upwards during work. Plan to brush at least weekly to remove loose fur and prevent mats. The ears may start erecting even before 4 months of age but its more likely to happen between 4 and 6 months of age. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_16',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); First, put the pencil in the whole of the roller, then spread a layer of glue ( special type, that is safe for dogs) using the plastic knife and let it dry until sticky, then apply another layer of glue. Feed a high-quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet; most owners feed two meals per day. When this happens, the chances are good that the ears will eventually become erect, so you can set your worries aside if your pups ears have gone up and then gone back down. Belgian Malinoises are prone to a skin allergy called "atopy," where the ears are heavily affected. Its recommended that Belgian Malinois puppies are trained by a professional who specializes in the breed. Belgian Malinoisesare prone to a skin allergy called atopy, where the ears are heavily affected. Reward you are Belgian Malinois pup with a delicious treat, ideally in a, If your dog insists on messing with it, you may need to use a, When Do Blue Heelers' Ears Stand Up? Some more serious issues include hearing loss, balance issues, deafness in the infected ear, or in extreme cases, Horners syndrome, which is a condition that causes a loss of stimulation in the nerves surrounding the eyes. Its like you add one additional layer of the cartilage to support your Mals soft ears. Belgian Malinois are born with folded ears but their ears should straighten as they get older. The Mali's feet are small and rounded, and they are similar to cats feet. The hair is somewhat longer around the neck where it forms a collarette, and on the tail and backs of the thighs. Unless you are specifically working in a protection sport, you do not need to give your Belgian any protection training, as it will come naturally to them. There is usually an awkward stage during which ears are partly folded and partly erect. They are often used as guard dogs, watchdogs and livestock guardians - there is very little that this hardworking dog cannot do. His elegance and expression denote great strength of character, making him a proud representative of the herding breeds. Breeders were looking to create a strong herding dog and protector with a steadfast work ethic. Belgian Malinoises do not need to have their ears cropped. The dog is strong, agile, well-muscled, alert and full of life.