Do Belgian Malinois shed? They do, but not extensively compared to many other breeds and, coming from hardy stock, the Belgian Malinois doesn’t need much by way of grooming. Brushing your dog once a week will help keep their coat tidy, although you might need to do it more often during their shedding periods — this will make your home considerably tidier, too!
Bathing should be kept to a minimum as doing it too much can affect the coat’s waterproof properties — however, don’t hesitate to do so when this outdoorsy dog has rolled in something putrid on one of their walks.
Speaking of exercise, this breed needs at least an hour’s activity a day, up to 12 miles’ walking a week and lots of mental stimulation. This is particularly important as a Belgian Malinois can be known to sometimes get a little destructive when under-occupied.
Belgian Malinois Health Risks
When compared to some other dog breeds, the Belgian Malinois is quite healthy, especially those from responsible breeders who screen their dogs for genetic diseases. However, there are a few conditions that Mals are prone to suffering from at one point or other in life — here are a few of which parents should be clued up.
Joint Issues
Like many medium-sized breeds that like to run around a lot, joint problems can develop. Hip dysplasia is the most common of these observed. This happens when the hip bone and joint become misaligned, leading to them grinding together when the leg moves rather than running smoothly.
How will you know this has happened to your dog? Well, you might notice limping, lameness, swelling or general discomfort. Thankfully, as a fairly regular problem in the veterinary world, there are lots of treatment options available, from weight management and supplements to physiotherapy and surgery.
It’s important you feed your Belgian Malinois puppy food specifically designed for their age, as too much calcium at an early developmental stage can increase the risk of hip dysplasia occurring when they’re older — Dog Food Advisor is the expert when it comes to the best puppy food around.
Eye Problems
The eyes of a Belgian Malinois can sometimes play up, too. You might, for example, see their lens clouding over with cataracts, a condition which can often be treated successfully with surgery.
Pannus is another eye condition not uncommon in Belgian Malinois and other Belgian Shepherd breeds. This affects the cornea — the clear part around the lens — and parents will usually see discoloration on this part, often pinkish.
Again, treatment options will be available from your vet, although these only stop the condition from worsening rather than curing it wholly. In severe cases, blindness can occur.
There’s another disease that’s a little harder to spot, however. Progressive retinal atrophy is when the retina wears away over time, reducing the ability of your dog’s eye to take in light.
You might notice your pet bumping into objects or tripping over more than they used to. Unfortunately, there’s no way of curing this affliction and your dog may go completely blind.
Rage Syndrome
Belgian Malinois are one of the few breeds associated with the little-understood rage syndrome, which is when a dog becomes aggressive and potentially dangerous seemingly out of the blue.
It’s thought to be a form of seizure in the brain’s temporal lobe and hereditary in nature, too. However, the exact cause isn’t known and as such, it can be a difficult condition to diagnose.
If your vet does land on this reason for your dog’s abnormal behavior, they might prescribe anticonvulsant medication to try to limit the outbursts. Family members, especially young children, should be warned of the signs to look out for ahead of a seizure, too — the Belgian Malinois bite force can be quite strong.
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Feeding a Belgian Malinois — What’s the Best Food?
When it comes to mealtimes, an adult Belgian Malinois dog doesn’t have any special requirements. A top-quality dog food full of protein, carbs and vegetables will suffice, and our partner Dog Food Advisor has a long list of recommendations. Belgian Malinois puppies may need more specialist food during those early months; you can find a selection of best large breed puppy food suggestions here.
You might find your pet needs a fair amount of food every day to replace the energy exerted on your walks. However, a parent needs to ensure that their dog isn’t being overfed, as this can lead to obesity and an array of nasty secondary conditions.
