Are Belgian Shepherds good family dogs? Essential Tips

How Long Do Belgian Malinois Dogs Live and Do They Have Any Major Health Issues?

Are Belgian Shepherds good family dogs?

Whether purebred, mutt, or crossbreed, all dogs can be prone to facing genetic health issues during their lifetime and the Belgian Malinois is no exception.

And while lifestyle, diet, and exercise all play a role in the overall health of your Belgian Malinois, there are some inheritable diseases this breed can be at risk of inheriting that a prospective owner should be aware of.

The good news is that the Belgian Malinois has a generous lifespan for a larger dog and is, for the most part, considered to be generally healthy.

Belgian Malinois Average Lifespan:

Belgian Malinois Potential Health Issues:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Cataracts
  • And Pannus and hemangiosarcoma
  • Recommended Health Tests For The Belgian Malinois Dog:

  • Hip evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
  • Elbow Evaluation
  • Tips For Care Taking

    An ample amount of exercise is required daily to keep your Belgian Malinois active and healthy. They can adapt to hot weather, but their dog breed is better suited for cool environment. If you have kids, it is a plus point because they can match their energy levels, making them excellent family dogs. Sign Up FOR “PUP NEWS”

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    Are Belgian Shepherds good family dogs?

    Are Belgian Shepherds good family dogs?

    If the right family selects this dog breed, the Belgian Malinois can be an ideal family dog. So if your family is active, filled with joy and love for animals, then this dog breed is undoubtedly your perfect match.

    Physical Problems

    As dog owners, you must know about all the health risks faced by Belgian Malinois. There is no absolute chance of your dog being affected 100 percent by any of these diseases, but you must know about them in case of emergency.

    Hip Dysplasia is an inherent disease in this dog breed where the signs are pain in the legs, discomfort, and lameness.

    In Elbow Dysplasia, the elbows’ growth rate is different, which causes discomfort due to the varying size of elbows. According to Veterinarians, you can either opt for medications or surgery to completely cure this condition.

    This condition is a degenerative eye disorder that causes blindness. It happens due to the loss of photoreceptors in the back of their eyes.

    The muscle-to-fat ratio makes Malinois extremely sensitive to anesthesia. Vets know their job well, but as dog owners, you can talk about that with them once because the death rate in these dogs has increased due to the anesthesia applied before common treatments.

    Belgian Malinois Family Dog – Things to Consider

    Have you ever seen a Belgian Malinois? If you’re not sure, let me assure you that yes, chances are you have. Like their German Shepherd counterparts, Belgian Malinois are famous police and military dogs.

    In fact, they are even more sought after than the German Shepherd breed due to their quick wit, their eagerness to please, and their loyalty and courage.

    So think back to long lines at the airport, when a small, black-muzzeled German Shepherd walked by sniffing luggage. Or, perhaps you were watching a police show on TV and saw a group of uniformed officers working with sleek, focused brown dogs you may have assumed were also German Shepherds.

    Surprised? Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s easy to mistaken a Mal for a German Shepherd, and many sharp eyed dog lovers do. Both breeds have large ears, keen eyes, and similar coloring, but there are some subtle, and not so subtle, differences that set the two apart.

    The lesser known Belgian Malinoious, for example, continues to be somewhat of a mysterious enigma to dog lovers and families looking to add an intelligent, friendly four-legged member to their pack.

    We know German Shepherds are smart and can make great companions for the right family, but what about the German Shepherd’s enthusiastic, intelligent, loyal, and brave counterpart, the Belgian Malinois?

    If you have recently found yourself intrigued by the Belgian Malinois, you’re not alone. This is a breed who may have been slow to rise to stardom, but he maintains a loyal fanbase and may be more prevalent in our day to day lives than many Americans think.

    But is this beautiful and clever breed a good family dog? Better yet, would he be a good family dog for your unique family?

    That’s what we are here to find out. Join us as we learn all about the Belgian Malinois and discover what kind of family companion he would make for you.