The Belgian Malinois Great Dane mix is a hybrid breed that makes for a unique family pet.
Clearly, this will result in an enormous, aggressive, and highly energetic dog. You can see how this dog performs by watching video clips on any dog training website.
Despite their enormous size, these two dogs are pretty friendly and would probably make good watchdogs.
Does it closely resemble a Great Dane or a Belgian Malinois? Understanding the history of the two breeds that combine to make this mix can help you know what to expect.
In the late 1890s, German Shepherds began as herding dogs in Germany. As a result of Max von Stephanitz’s keen eye and ambitious goals, Hektor became the founding sire of the German Shepherd Dog breed in 1899.
Dogs like the Dutch Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd, who had similar appearances and purposes, evolved into German Shepherds.
There would eventually be even more divisions among the Belgian Shepherds. Three other types of dogs would also be included, including the well-known Belgian Malinois.
Several Italian herding dogs, including the Bergamasco Shepherd, have ancestry in common with the German Shepherd, according to a scientific article on the evolution of certain dog breeds.
German Shepherds were born of a split between Italian dogs and a French herding dog in 1859. German Shepherds and Old Great Danes share many characteristics. In the late 1800s, fanciers in Germany began developing the breed.
As the Great Dane became a pet and family companion, it changed its purpose. Lastly, Great Danes evolved through the generations in terms of their appearance.
German Shepherds have a much shorter history than Great Danes. From 4,000 to 2,000 BC, Great Danes are found in Egyptian, Babylonian, and Chinese art.
According to the Illini Great Dane Club, dogs that resembled Mastiffs were owned by Assyrians, whose ancestors were Tibetan Mastiffs and English Mastiffs.
In spite of the distinctive slender type they had in Denmark, Great Danes are not Danish. Wild boars were considered one of the most difficult games to defeat at the time by the Danes.
A boar’s strength, smarts, speed, and fearlessness made him a hazardous animal. It was necessary for the dogs that hunted them to be strong and swift on their feet and mentally tough.
Breeders in the 14th century blended huge Mastiffs with fast-coursing Greyhounds and scrappy Irish Wolfhounds to develop the ideal boar dog to catch and hold the hog at the end of the chase.
A recent study by the Illinois Great Dane Club suggests that Assyrians owned dogs similar to Mastiffs, which were descended from Tibetan Mastiffs and English Mastiffs.
Despite their distinctive slender type in Denmark, Great Danes are not Danish. Wild boars were considered one of the most difficult games to defeat at the time by the Danes.
A boar’s strength, smarts, speed, and fearlessness made him a hazardous animal. They had to be strong in mind and body and very agile on their feet to hunt them.
A dog designed to catch and hold a boar would be brought in at the end of the pursuit by combining huge Mastiffs with a fast-coursing Greyhound and perhaps a scrappy Irish Wolfhound.
Other articles you would like: Do Great Dane Puppies Change Color? and How Rare Is A Brindle Belgian Malinois?
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How Big Do They Get?
A German Shepherd normally stands between 22 and 26 inches at the top of the withers and weighs 60 to 90 pounds. There is a slight height difference between males and females and a noticeable difference in muscularity.
The shoulders of female Great Danes measure 28 to 30 inches, while those of male Great Danes measure 30 to 34 inches.
In addition, there is a significant weight difference between men and women, with females weighing approximately 100 to 130 pounds and males up to 200 pounds.
Dogs should even be as tall as possible according to current standards. Great Dane Zeus was the tallest dog ever, standing 44 inches at the shoulder.
A GSD Great Dane mix stands 28 to 30 inches at the shoulders. Typically, a male of this mix will be a little taller and significantly heavier than a female. A mix like this can be very lean at 65 pounds or massive like a Great Dane at up to 130 pounds.
Coat Type
Depending on the mix, the dogs can have a variety of colorations and coat lengths. If the dog has medium-length or short fur, it might have short or long hair. Tan and deep black are common fur colors. This hybrid is also capable of producing brindle coats.
A Belgian Malinois Great Dane hybrid is most commonly tan, black, or light brown. It shouldn’t be too difficult to groom this dog.
Depending on the length of this mix’s coat, you may need to brush it daily. In any case, this dog should be bathed at least monthly. Depending on how much exercise your dog gets, it will be necessary to bathe them more often.
You may need to bathe your dog more frequently when they accompany your outdoor activities or any other activities that expose them to the outdoors or the elements.
Temperament
To determine how a hybrid will behave, you have to look at its parents. There is nothing sweeter than a Great Dane and more protective than a Belgian Malinois.
Some dogs have powerful personalities, like the Belgian Malinois, and need an owner who has experience and can establish themselves as the pack leader.
When exposed and socialized properly, they should also be able to interact well with other animals as well. Despite being crowded or noisy, they are capable of some independence. Positive reinforcement works well for her, as it does for all dogs.
If you spend the majority of your time with her, it is likely that she will be very affectionate. He won’t be able to cope alone for a long period if you leave her alone. It’s important to her to be part of the “pack.”
Health Problems
Even though certain breeds are more prone to certain diseases than others, all dogs are susceptible to certain health problems due to their genetic makeup.
It is also true, however, that puppy owners can minimize this problem by purchasing puppies.
Breeders should always offer health guarantees. You should not consider that breeder if they won’t do this.
A breeder’s intention to discuss breed-related health issues should be discussed openly and honestly by a reputable breeder. Tests for and clearances of certain conditions are evidence of a dog’s health.
Are They Easy To Train?
Despite its intelligence, it might be demanding and hard-headed. Dogs like this need a firm, consistent handler who won’t let them be manipulated.
Dogs should be trained using positive reinforcement. Don’t forget to praise your dog for its hard work. She is the perfect dog because of her intelligence, love of physical challenges, and desire to please her owner.
She will be easier to train if she gets more exercise. All puppies and dogs need proper socialization. Get her as much exposure to dogs and people as possible by taking her to the dog park and daycare.
Diet Restrictions
Dogs have specific nutrition needs, and large dogs have different restrictions and needs than smaller dogs. Since this hybrid comes from two large dog breeds, it’s important to feed it properly.
Depending on the breed, a dog of this breed may need between 1,200 and 2000 calories daily. Providing your Belgian Malinois mixed with Great Dane with nutritious food high in protein and fat is ideal for your Belgian Malinois Great Dane.
A raw diet is also beneficial for this dog. They tend to lack a lot of preservatives that can make dogs sick and lead to health problems.
Some raw foods are available in a wide range of options. It is important to find dog food that does not contain artificial ingredients since Great Danes can be sensitive to certain foods.
Additionally, Great Danes are susceptible to GDV, which can kill them. If you want your dog to avoid GDV, ensure that he takes a 30-minute break after he eats and avoids vigorous exercise until his digestive system is functioning properly.
Do They Make Good Family Pets?
When socialized with kids and other household members, this dog can make a wonderful member of the family. This hybrid may not be the best option for every home, though.
Adopting a Belgian Malinois Great Dane mix puppy is best if you want your family to get along with the dog. Using this method, puppies can develop well with family members and integrate well with your lifestyle.
Make sure the Belgian Malinois Great Dane mix you adopt is socialized with children before adoption.
When bringing your new Great Dane Belgian Malinois home, you must always supervise him around children.
Children should also be present during all interactions between your grown dog and children if your pet is unfamiliar with them.
The proper way to behave around dogs is often unknown to many children. Kids might attempt to sit on the back of this mix since it is so big. In addition to causing discomfort to your dog, this can damage your dog’s spine and back.
Before you decide if a Belgian Malinois and Great Dane mix is the right dog for you, consider all the traits and care requirements of this mixed breed.
For the right home, this can be a great family pet that will protect you when needed and cuddle up with you whenever you choose.
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- Belgian Malinois Pitbull Mix Guide
For more Great Dane Mixes, check out the video below:
