Malinois X: Is a Malinois German Shepherd Mix Right for You? (2024)

A black Belgian Malinois German Shepherd cross

The Malinois X is an extremely smart and athletic breed. They usually inherit the physical ability and skills of both parent dogs and are perfect for working on farms and ranches, guarding livestock, or protecting people and property.

The breed is often used by police forces because of its fearlessness and loyalty.

What is a Malinois X? A Malinois X dog is a cross between a Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd. These dogs are bred to work as herding dogs, police dogs, and guard dogs, but they can also make great family pets or personal companions with proper training and socialization.

If you are considering bringing a Malinois X puppy into your family, read on to learn more about the breed.

Malinois X at a Glance

At a glance, the Malinois X looks a lot like a German Shepherd. They are actually much more muscular and athletic and tend to be slightly bulkier than a purebred German Shepherd.

Their coats are shorter and come in more color variations.

Malinois X Facts
Also known as

Belgian Shepherd Dog

Appearance Medium sized, muscular
Size 20-26 inches, 60 to 90 pounds
Temperament Moderately aggressive, loyal
Intelligence Very smart, quick to learn
Trainability Easy to train
Grooming Double coat requires regular grooming
Health Issues Thyroid problems, vision problems, bloat, hip dysplasia
Average Price $1,200 – $2,000
Life Expectancy 12 to 14 years

How Malinois X Are Created

400;”>Malinois X is a cross between a Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd. The breed was developed to combine the traits of both dogs to get a breed that would have a diverse range of skills.

Is German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois a Good Mix?

A crossbreed from a German Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois is a good dog for many reasons. Not only is this a very loyal breed, but it is also calm, easy to train, and great for families with children.

Malinois X Appearance

Malinois X are medium-sized dogs that have a sleek but muscular appearance. The coat is medium and coarse and may include colors that are black, brown, gray, blue, tan, and white.

How Big Does a Malinois X Get?

Malinois X dogs are medium-sized dogs and are typically around the same size as the parent dogs.

Malinois X Height

A Malinois X can be between 20 and 26 inches tall with the males being taller than the females.

Malinois X Weight

A Malinois X can weigh between 60 and 90 pounds.

Malinois German Shepherd Mix: Male vs. Female

Both male and female Malinois X dogs are loyal, athletic, and smart.

The males are much larger and can weigh up to 20 pounds more than the females. They can also stand between 3 and 5 inches taller.

Males are slightly more energetic and tend to be more protective than the females.

Malinois X Temperament

Malinois X dogs are very smart, athletic, easy going, and easy to train. They love to please their owners and have tasks to complete.

They tend to be very protective of their families, and while they are not aggressive, they can be fierce if necessary.

Malinois X Intelligence

Malinois X dogs are very smart. They train easily and learn new tasks quickly. They thrive on purpose-driven tasks and actually enjoy training and working.

They like to please their owners and work hard to perfect their skills.

Malinois X Trainability

Malinois X can be trained very easily. They are not easily distracted, they are calm and focus well, and they enjoy learning new tasks and working hard to please their owners.

Malinois X German Shepherd Exercise Needs

Malinois X dogs need a lot of stimulation to be healthy. They thrive when they are given tasks to complete and they can become very bored if they don’t get plenty of exercise.

They are best kept on farms or ranches where they can run free and protect their homes.

They can be destructive when bored and many gain weight quickly if they do not get the right amount of exercise.

Do German Malinois Shed?

German Malinois do shed, but with proper grooming, the shedding can be reduced.

This breed tends to shed seasonally, so while they may shed slightly all year, they will shed the most in the fall and spring.

Proper grooming around this time will help reduce the shedding and help keep your dog’s coat looking healthy.

Do Malinois X Have Double Coats?

Malinois X dogs do have double coats. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois have double coats, so the puppies produced by crossing these two breeds will also have a double coat.

This can lead to more shedding but also helps keep the dog comfortable and healthy in all types of weather.

Are German Malinois Good With Other Pets?

While German Malinois are great with kids and make good family pets, they may not do well with other pets.

However, if they are introduced to other pets as puppies and grow up with them, they may see them as family.

Because they have such a strong instinct to herd and hunt, it can make it hard for them to share a family or space with other animals.

Are German Malinois Good With Children?

German Malinois are good with older children, but they may be too stubborn and rough for small children.

They tend to want to herd young children, and while they are not aggressive toward them, they may simply play too roughly with them.

A Malinois German Shepherd mix jumping over a white agility fence during training.

Are Malinois X Aggressive?

Malinois X can be aggressive if provoked or if they feel the need to protect themselves or their families.

They can still make great pets, but they do need plenty of socialization and training to keep their aggression at bay.

How Much Does a Malinois X Cost?

Malinois X puppies can cost between $1,200 and $2,000, depending on the puppy’s pedigree and the breeder.

Malinois X Health Issues

Malinois X dogs can inherit certain health problems from either parent. There are some common health problems to be aware of if you are planning to bring a Malinois X puppy into your family.

Those health problems include: 

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Eye problems
  • Thyroid issues 
  • Bloat
  • Epilepsy
  • Retinal dysplasia

How Long Do Malinois X Live?

On average, Malinois X dogs live to be between 12 and 14 years old. Proper care, regular health checkups, and a healthy diet can help ensure your dog lives a long and happy life. 

Wrapping It Up 

Malinois X dogs are great working dogs that can also be wonderful family pets with proper training.

They do require a lot of exercise and prefer to have plenty of room to run. They also do well when they are given tasks to complete.

They can be aggressive toward other pets and animals, but with proper socialization, this can be prevented. With proper care, they can live up to 14 years.