The Malinois Collie mix is a unique and exciting dog breed, born from a combination of the Belgian Malinois and Border Collie. As two of the world’s most intelligent and driven dog breeds, the Malinois Collie is a good choice for those looking for a working dog or a loyal companion with a lot of energy.
However, it’s important to understand that this breed is not for everyone. With their high energy levels and strong prey drive, they need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise to stay happy and healthy.
This means they may not be the best fit for pet owners who are looking for a low-key companion to lounge around the house.
Despite this, Malinois Collies can make great pets for active families willing to put in the time and effort to keep them entertained and engaged.
They are incredibly smart and can excel at almost any task, whether that’s learning tricks, competing in agility, or working as a service or therapy dog.
The Belgian Malinois And Border Collie Mix
This article will cover everything you need to know about the Malinois Collie mix, including their temperament, physical needs, grooming requirements, and more.
Whether you’re considering adopting a Malinois Collie mix puppy or just want to learn more about this unique dog breed, we’ve got you covered. So keep reading to discover all you need to know about the Malinois Collie mix!
Malinois Collie Characteristics
| Social Traits | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family Friendly | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Good Around Children | ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ |
| Friendly to Strangers | ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ |
| Dog Friendly | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ |
The Malinois Collie has the potential to be great around children, people, and dogs, but it’s essential to start socializing them from a young age. This is especially important to ensure they develop the proper behavior and temperament around kids.
| Coat Traits and Grooming Needs | Rating |
|---|---|
| Easy to Groom | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ |
| Shedding | ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ |
| Good for People With Allergies | ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ |
The Malinois Collie’s coat is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional brushing for easy grooming. While the breed does shed moderately, it might not be the ideal choice for those with severe allergies. To minimize shedding and reduce allergens in the home, regular grooming is recommended.
| Health, Intelligence, & Exercise | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Health | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ |
| Exercise & Stimulation Needs | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Intelligence | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Trainability | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
The Malinois Collie is a generally healthy breed, with only a few potential health concerns to note. Boasting exceptional intelligence and trainability, this dog excels in various tasks and activities. However, it’s important to remember that the Malinois Collie has high exercise and stimulation needs, requiring consistent physical and mental engagement in order to thrive and stay content.
Malinois Collie Mixed Breed Stats
| Breed Stats |
|---|
| Group: Herding |
| Height: 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder |
| Weight: 28 to 64 pounds |
| Coat: The rough coat is medium to long, and the smooth coat is short. Both are double-coated which consists of a softer, thicker undercoat and a water-resistant top coat. |
| Coat Color: Black, tan, brown, merle, tri-color, or a mixture. It’s common to see them black with white patches on their chest. |
| Average Life Span: 12 years |
| Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, high work drive, athletic, loyal, alert, people focused |
| Hypoallergenic: No |
| Country of Origin: United Kingdom |
The Parent Breeds & History
The Belgian Malinois and the Border Collie are both highly intelligent working breeds originally bred to herd livestock. It should be no surprise then that the Border Malinois is a smart, energetic dog that needs a job to do.
So let’s take a look at the parents in more detail to get a better idea of what you can expect from your Border Malinois pup!
Border Collie
The Border Collie dog is a herding breed that was originally developed on the border between England and Scotland, hence the name Border Collie. The term “collie” or “Colley” was first used in the latter half of the nineteenth century, although the word “collie” is older.
It is thought to come from the old Celtic word for useful. Many of today’s border collies can be traced back to one dog known as Old Hemp.
The Border Collie’s characteristics are typical of herding breeds – an extremely active dog that needs a lot of space to run and plenty of things to do to keep its mind occupied.
As a result, they are not the best breed for first-time dog owners or people who live in small apartments. However, they are ranked as the most intelligent dog breed, according to Stanley Coren, a professor of canine psychology.
The Border Collie’s versatility makes it a fantastic working dog best known for its use on farms to herd sheep and is still used for this purpose today in many parts of the world. The Border Collie is also used in dog sports such as agility, obedience, and flyball.
They’re so good it’s not uncommon to have an agility class called ABC (Anything But a Collie), so other breeds can have a chance of winning!
The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog, typically weighing between 26 – 55 pounds (12 – 25 kg), a height of 18-24 inches (46 – 60 cm), with an average life expectancy of 12 years (10 – 17 years). They’re athletic and agile dogs with either a smooth or rough double coat.
The most common colors are black and white, but they can also be black, lilac, merle, brown, red, or tan. The Border Collie is an intelligent, active, and loyal dog that makes a great companion for the right owner.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a herding dog that originated in Belgium, specifically in the city of Malines (hence the name). It is one of four breeds of Belgian sheepdogs – the other three being the Belgian Tervuren, the Groenendael, and the Laekenois.
These breeds are becoming more popular in no small part due to the increased popularity of the Belgian Malinois, which was first recognized as a separate breed in 1891.
The Belgian Malinois is an intelligent, active breed that requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.
However, they are quick learners and excel in obedience, agility, and other dog sports, much like the border collie. But they also make fantastic working dogs for police, military, and other service personnel.
The Belgian Malinois dog is medium-sized with a short coat. They are square-proportioned with a muscular, athletic build. They typically weigh 44-66 pounds (20-30 kg) with a height ranging between 22-26 inches (56 – 66 cm) and a life expectancy of 12 – 14 years.
The coat is short, dense, and straight. The most common coat colors are fawn, mahogany, black, or sable, and they will often have a black face mask.
They can look very similar to the German Shepherd, and it’s not uncommon for people to confuse the two, but they are separate breeds.
The Border Collie Belgian Malinois mix is highly driven, loyal, and intelligent. This dog needs a job to do. For the owner that can satisfy the breed’s high drive, they make an excellent companion. That said, this is not a breed for the first-time dog owner.
Personality & Temperament
The Belgian Malinois Border Collie Mix is an intelligent, energetic, and active dog. They are a working breed and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They are not the best breed for first-time dog owners.
Border Collies are known for their herding instincts, and you may see these tendencies in your Belgian Malinois Border Collie Mix.
However, with proper training and socialization, your dog can learn to control their herding impulses and focus them on more positive activities, such as dog sports or simple obedience commands.
This mix is very intelligent and needs a lot of mental stimulation. They are easy to train but need consistency – taking time off is not an option.
They will quickly get bored with repetitive tasks, so agility training, tricks, or other dog sports is a great way to keep their minds active.
The Belgian Malinois Border Collie Mix is a loyal and protective breed. They can be suspicious or anxious about strangers and will bark to warn you of their presence.
They need to be socialized from a young age to prevent them from becoming aggressive.
This is not a breed that likes to be left alone for extended periods. You can work up to it with proper training, but both parent breeds are often referred to as ‘velcro’ dogs. They want to be with you all the time, this can be great if you’re looking for a smart sidekick who will be with you 24/7.
This breed is not for everyone. They require a lot of time, energy, and commitment. However, if you are willing to put in the work, you will be rewarded with a loving and loyal companion.
What Does The Malinois Collie Mix Look Like? – Size, Weight, & Appearance
In terms of size, the Border Collie and Belgian Malinois are reasonably similar, so you can expect the mix is going to be pretty much the same.
They usually weigh between 28 and 64 pounds and measure between 19 and 25 inches tall. In addition, they will have a muscular frame that leans more toward agile than bulky.
The head of the Malinois Collie tends to be more Collie-like, and the ears are usually erect. The eyes are almond-shaped, while brown is the most common you can get blue or even two different colors – one in each eye, which is referred to as heterochromia.
The nose is often black, and the teeth meet in a scissors bite. The tail is medium in length and can be either straight or slightly curved.
The coat of the Malinois Collie is usually medium to short in length. The most common colors are black and tan brown, although they can also contain some white or merle coats.
Coats, Colors, & Grooming Needs
The Malinois Collie inherits a coat that’s a mix of both parents. The Border Collie has two types of coat – either rough or smooth.
The rough coat is medium to long in length, and the smooth coat is short. In addition, all Border Collies come with a double coat which consists of a softer, thicker undercoat and a water-resistant top coat.
The Belgian Malinois has a short coat, similar to the smooth coat of the Border Collie, and is also double-coated.
Given the similarity between the breeds, you will likely end up with a short to medium double coat on your Malinois Collie.
Both parents shed twice a year, so you can expect your Malinois Collie to do the same.
They come in a range of colors and color patterns – the most common being a mix of black, tan, brown, merle, tri-color, or a mixture of them all. It’s not uncommon to see them black with white patches on their chest.
Grooming is relatively low maintenance for a Malinois Collie. If they have a longer coat, you should brush them at least twice a week with a firm bristle brush. The shorter coat will need brushing just once a week.
Bathing should be done only when necessary, which could be once a week or every few months. It depends on the dog’s activities and how dirty and smelly they get.
If they’re getting very muddy or dirty and brushing alone doesn’t help, then make sure only to use a mild shampoo.
Their nails should be trimmed regularly, once every one to two weeks. Ears should be cleaned with a damp cloth roughly once a month, depending on how dirty they are.
Physical Needs & Living Conditions
The Malinois Collie is a smart and energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise and room to run around, so a big backyard is a plus.
These dogs are great escape artists too, so if you’re hoping the fence or wall will keep them in, it needs to be at least 6ft tall. Even then, there are no guarantees your Malinois Collie won’t escape.
Your Malinois Collie will ideally need two long walks a day of an hour each or one very long walk, but this really is a minimum.
So many of the behavioral issues Malinois Collies have are due to lack of exercise and insufficient mental stimulation.
It’s also essential to give your Malinois Collie plenty of tasks to occupy their mind as well. This can include activities such as puzzle toys, nose work games, and obedience training.
These activities give your Malinois Collie something to focus on and occupy its time, as well as help to build a strong bond with you.
Both parents are working dogs with a high drive. If you don’t exhaust your Malinois Collie both mentally and physically, they will find their own job to do – and it’s safe to say whatever they find, you’re not going to be happy with it!
Intelligence & Training
The Malinois Collie is highly trainable, as both parents are known for their intelligence and work ethic.
The border collie is considered to be the smartest dog breed in the world, and the Belgian Malinois is widely used as a service dog in both the military and police forces all over the world.
Regardless of which parent your dog takes after, it will likely have a high work drive and will respond incredibly well to regular training through positive reinforcement. This breed can learn to do just about anything with the proper training.
This breed is particularly well-suited for tasks that require high intelligence, such as search and rescue, agility, tracking, and herding. They are also excellent guard dogs, as they are highly alert.
One thing to keep in mind is that both parent breeds require a lot of exercise and stimulation, so it’s vital to ensure that your Malinois Collie is getting plenty of time for physical activity and mental stimulation. Regular training sessions and interactive toys are highly recommended.
It would be best if you socialized your Malinois Collie as soon as possible. This breed can be wary of strangers, loud noises, and new environments, so it’s important to expose them to these things in a positive and controlled way early on.
Feeding & Nutrition
The nutrition requirements for a Malinois Collie will vary depending on the individual dog’s age, size, and activity level. Generally speaking, they are an active breed that requires a nutrient-rich diet.
Dog food packaging often has guidelines for how much food to feed your Malinois Collie, but this is only an estimate. As a rule, you should feed your dog roughly 2-3% of its ideal body weight in food per day.
Generally, feed adult dogs twice a day and puppies three to four times a day. For example, an average Malinois Collie weighing 50 pounds should consume 2 – 3 cups of high-quality dry dog food daily, split into two meals.
Puppies should eat 1.5 to 2 cups of food daily, divided into three or four meals.
The Malinois Collie is not a breed prone to weight gain, but any dog can become overweight if overfed or lacking in exercise.
Ideally, regularly weigh your dog and get check-ups at the vet to ensure you’re not underfeeding or overfeeding.
Mid-range dog food will cost you $1.51 to .00 per lb, which means your 50-pound dog will cost you approximately $60 a month.
But this will vary depending on your dog’s needs and the cost of the dog food brand you use, so your costs could be significantly different.
As your Belgian Malinois and Border Collie cross ages, their nutritional needs will change.
For example, senior dogs require fewer calories and more nutrients, so you may need to switch to senior formula food.
On the other hand, puppies and growing dogs require more energy and higher levels of certain nutrients, so you may need to switch to a puppy formula.
Health & Lifespan
Predicting the exact lifespan of a Border Collie Belgian Malinois is challenging as it’s not a common breed. But the mix can inherit a mixture of health traits from both parent breeds, so looking at those will give us a good idea.
The Border Collie has an average lifespan of 12 years but can live up to 18 years. The Belgian Malinois has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Given both parent breeds have such similar life expectancies, it’s safe to assume the Border Collie Belgian Malinois mix will have an average lifespan of 12 years.
The Border Collie is prone to several health issues, including Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), pigment-associated hearing loss, adult-onset hearing loss, Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS), and Border Collie Collapse (also known as “the wobbles”).
Similarly, despite its good health, the Belgian Malinois is prone to skin allergies, eye problems, and dysplasia.
Therefore, the Société Royale Saint-Hubert recommends testing all four varieties of Belgian Shepherds, including the Malinois, for hip and elbow dysplasia and the Malinois for epilepsy.
It’s essential to keep in mind that the health problems of a Border Collie Belgian Malinois mix will depend on the individual dog and its specific genetic makeup.
However, as with any breed, regular vet check-ups and a healthy diet and lifestyle can help ensure a long and healthy life.
As A Family Pet
The Malinois Collie can have a tendency to herd young children, making it essential to manage their herding instinct.
Signs of herding behavior include nipping, barking excessively, and circling around children. This behavior is not aggressive, but it can be harmful to small children who may not understand what’s happening.
To prevent herding behavior, provide your Malinois Collie with plenty of physical and mental exercise, access to outdoor space, and positive reinforcement training.
When playing with children, supervise your dog closely and redirect their focus with a toy or a treat. It’s crucial to establish a clear hierarchy in the family.
By managing their instincts, you can enjoy a happy and safe relationship with your Malinois Collie as a family pet. Remember that herding behavior is an instinct that needs to be managed, and with patience and consistency, you can prevent it from becoming problematic.
With the proper training and socialization, the Malinois Collie can be a wonderful companion for families with children.
You’ll need to start the socialization when they’re young, and it’s even better if you can get them from a breeder who has children, so they’ll be socialized with children from day one.
Rescue groups, Breeders, & Puppies
The border collie malinois mix is becoming more and more popular, but they are still comparatively rare.
You’re most likely to find them due to accidental breeding rather than a planned litter. But as long as they’re from a reputable breeder or responsible owner, whether they were planned or not doesn’t matter.
If you’re considering adding one to your family, you should keep a few things in mind when looking for a new furry friend. One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to adopt from a rescue shelter or buy from a breeder.
Both options have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to research and determine the right choice for your family.
Rescue groups can be a good choice for those looking to give a loving home to a dog in need, but Malinois Collies are difficult to find. Also, you probably won’t have the opportunity to meet the puppy’s parents, and it may be difficult to know their temperament or health history.
On the other hand, buying from a reputable breeder can ensure that you get a healthy and well-socialized puppy.
Malinois Border Collie mix puppies can be on the high end of the price spectrum as they are so rare, but a good breeder should be able to provide you with information about the parents’ health and temperament.
Additionally, they should be able to answer any questions you have about grooming, health problems, and the lifespan of a Malinois Border Collie mix.
If you can find a breeder, look for one who is knowledgeable about the breed (or parent breeds) and willing to answer your questions. A good breeder will also be willing to let you meet the puppy’s parents and see where the litter is being raised.
If possible, ask for references from previous puppy buyers to ensure that the breeder is reputable and provides healthy puppies.
Final Thoughts
The Malinois Collie is not a dog for everyone. It is a breed that requires a lot of time, energy, and commitment from its owner.
However, if you are willing to put in the work, you will be rewarded with a loving and loyal companion.
This mix is highly intelligent and needs a lot of mental stimulation, so it’s important to keep them engaged with activities such as agility training, tricks, or other dog sports.
They are great companions for people who love to spend time outdoors and want a loyal and intelligent partner to join them on adventures.
Be aware of their energy, the Malinois Collie is a working breed that needs a job to do, and it’s common for them to find their own job if not given one. However, this breed can learn to do just about anything with the proper training.
References
