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The Belgian Malinois, named for the Belgian city of Malines, is one of the four varieties of Belgian Sheepdog. In most parts
of the world the four varieties: the Malinois (fawn-mahogany, short coat with black marks and overlay, pronounced
Mal-in-wah), Tervuren (fawn mahogany, shades of gray are acceptable in some registries, long coat with black mask and
overlay, pronounced Terv-yer-en), the Laekenois (fawn, rough coat, pronounced Lak-in-wah), and the Groenendael (black,
long coat, pronounced Grow-en-en-doll), are all considered one breed. However, in America since 1959, the AKC has
recognized the Groenendael, Malinois and Tervuren as separate breeds, but has not recognized the Laekenois at all. A less
well-known, but growing U.S. registry, the UKC, does recognize all four varieties as one breed. Although quite rare in
America, the Malinois variety is very popular in Belgium. This versatile and highly intelligent dog excels at many activities
including tracking, agility, obedience, protection and schutzhund, narcotics and bomb detection work, search and rescue,
herding and pulling sleds or carts. Although the Belgian Malinois is not for everyone, this high energy dog makes an
excellent family companion if properly socialized and trained. The first of the Belgian Sheepdogs to establish type, the
Malinois became the gauge of his nearly indiscernible brothers, who were labeled Berger Belge a poil court autre que
Malinois (that is, Belgian short-coated Sheepdog other that Malinois). Presently, the Malinois is hardly the single revelation
of that country's herders. All the Belgian Sheepdogs developed from hardy working dogs, which ensures that the modern
breeds are compatibly gifted on the field. Today the Belgian Groenendael and Tervuren are most often used as companion
dogs while the Laekenois and Malinois are used as guard dogs.
of the world the four varieties: the Malinois (fawn-mahogany, short coat with black marks and overlay, pronounced
Mal-in-wah), Tervuren (fawn mahogany, shades of gray are acceptable in some registries, long coat with black mask and
overlay, pronounced Terv-yer-en), the Laekenois (fawn, rough coat, pronounced Lak-in-wah), and the Groenendael (black,
long coat, pronounced Grow-en-en-doll), are all considered one breed. However, in America since 1959, the AKC has
recognized the Groenendael, Malinois and Tervuren as separate breeds, but has not recognized the Laekenois at all. A less
well-known, but growing U.S. registry, the UKC, does recognize all four varieties as one breed. Although quite rare in
America, the Malinois variety is very popular in Belgium. This versatile and highly intelligent dog excels at many activities
including tracking, agility, obedience, protection and schutzhund, narcotics and bomb detection work, search and rescue,
herding and pulling sleds or carts. Although the Belgian Malinois is not for everyone, this high energy dog makes an
excellent family companion if properly socialized and trained. The first of the Belgian Sheepdogs to establish type, the
Malinois became the gauge of his nearly indiscernible brothers, who were labeled Berger Belge a poil court autre que
Malinois (that is, Belgian short-coated Sheepdog other that Malinois). Presently, the Malinois is hardly the single revelation
of that country's herders. All the Belgian Sheepdogs developed from hardy working dogs, which ensures that the modern
breeds are compatibly gifted on the field. Today the Belgian Groenendael and Tervuren are most often used as companion
dogs while the Laekenois and Malinois are used as guard dogs.