Why are a 4-month-old Belgian Malinois' ears floppy? A well-trained and socialized Belgian Malinois can be a great dog, but one of their inherent traits is being protective of their family. They have an agile, athletic, and square frame with a long muzzle, erect ears, and an intelligent face. These dogs generally arent well-suited to living in an apartment, as they need lots of space to run and play. Hold the ear wrapped around the roller until the glue is dry. Ears that hang or fold over at the tip will disqualify a dog for American Kennel Club shows. Belgian Malinois were bred in Belgium, while German Shepherds were bred in Germany. These can cause joint pain and arthritis. 2. The Belgian Malinois is a working breed with needs only an experienced owner can meet. Why Is My Belgian Malinois Panting So Much? All of these issues first occur with the symptoms of whining, head shaking, and scratching. The Belgian Malinois is a double-coated breed and will generally shed twice a year. Both should be finished at the same time. As with all dogs, their nails should be trimmed regularly. You canuse tape like this. Learn more about Wren - Located in Florida today. Require to see the puppys parents. Both breeds are similar in height, but Belgian Malinois typically weigh less than German Shepherds. Bathing when dirty, brushing once or twice a week, and clipping the nails will keep your Malinois in great condition. Belgians make excellent pets for the right homes, as they thrive on loving companionship. Some breeders tend to breed dogs with larger, heavier ears. After talking with Belgian Malinois owners there are a large number of them who are concerned about their dogs ears not standing up; however, in a lot of cases, the dogs were not purebred Belgian Malinois. Quick learners and adaptable, Miniature Schnauzers can be just as happy living in a city apartment or in the country. These traits can make them phenomenal petsif theyre in the right household with an active, experienced pet parent. All the better to hear you with! link to Can Belgian Malinois Eat Raw Meat? It stands about 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 cm) tall at the withers and weighs from 40 to 80 pounds (18.1 to 36.2 kg). Plus, Belgian Malinois are part of Navy SEAL teams and have been used in operations, including that which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. Please always consult a licensed veterinarian for pet medical advice. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.com. It is even very common for a puppys ears to perk up but then drop back down again before finally coming to their final height. 5 Belgian Malinois for sale. Purchase these foam rollers, extra-large ( for large ears) or large ( for smaller ears). An early period trauma can also be the cause. To deny a Mal activity and the pleasure of your company is to deprive him of his very reasons for being. You can also offer steamed or blended fruits and vegetables to your puppy. The ears may start erecting even before 4 months of age but its more likely to happen between 4 and 6 months of age. Belgians are instinctively protective so they should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Other times, genetics are at fault for an ear that does not straighten. Belgian Malinois have a shorter coat thats fawn in color with a black mask and ears. Some dogs are bred to have larger ears, which can result in ears that are too big for the muscles to hold upright. Males are slightly bigger than females. Sometimes injury, even a relatively minor injury, early in your dogs life can result in an ear that does not grow properly. What's the difference between a German shepherd and a Belgian Malinois? 12-16 yr. Although, if their ears have not stood after 12-15 weeks, there may be a chance that your Malinois has a health problem or is perhaps not purebred. Signs to monitor for at home include: Difficulty getting on/off furniture, going upstairs, and getting into cars. A healthy ear should be light pink with no smell and little wax if any. Have you ever noticed that Belgian Malinois puppies have adorable, little folded-over ears, but that the ears change as the dog gets older? Offer your Mal puppy a variety of chew toys. You need to clean the Pinna ( ear flap, part of the ear covered by skin) and then apply Breath Right Strip. If you have Belgian Malinois, I am sure a food choice is an important issue. And their grooming is fairly simple. The following are some conditions to be aware of: Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water. If a puppys parents have very large, floppy ears, anything you do wont help your Mals ears to stand up one day. A Belgian Malinois will constantly be trying to keep the toddler in one spot! This makes them great running, hiking, and biking companions. You may notice your Mal licking their paws, rubbing their face, or developing ear infections more often. The Belgian Malinois, along with the Groenendael, was the first variety to appear in the United States in the early part of the 1900s. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-leader-1-0'); If you are looking for a more natural way to include Glucosamine in your Mals diet then whole food might be a good choice : If you feed your Malinois with raw food, the whole food option wont be a problem but if your Malinois is eating only dry food for dogs, try to switch at least 10% of dry food to whole food. The Belgian Malinois is a confident, intelligent working dog that takes pride in a job well done. Belgian Malinois dont have very specific dietary requirements. All rights reserved. How Much Time Is Required For Malinois Ears To Stand Up? Drooping ears or only one floppy ear would surely disqualify your Mal from the American Kennel Club shows. This breed also is an excellent candidate fordog sportsor any activity that involves focus and endurance to challenge it mentally and physically. They are made of special foam. In that case, you cannot do anything. The Belgian Malinois (pronounced MAL-in-wah) is a large herding dog. When a Mal gets an ear infection oftentimes one or both ears become floppy; this is frequently accompanied by a bad odor, scratching, and redness. Belgian Malinois are supposed to have erect ears, and ears that flop or have folded over tips are not considered appropriate according to the breed standard. With every dog the cartlidge in their ears need to develop. It is also perfectly normal for the ears to seem wobbly and unsteady on the top of the dogs head until they fully grow into their ears. Its not uncommon if Malinois ears go between standing up and flopping down several times before they mature. A Mals ears will stand up on their own if given time and the proper care. It may cause serious imbalances in other minerals and problems with bone growth. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) In Dogs, Army Veterinarians: On a Mission to Keep Military Dogs Healthy, High Levels of Protein in Dog Urine (Proteinuria in Dogs). 40-83 lb. The Secret Service even employs them to patrol the White House grounds. Breed Group. Female: 22-24 in. Wait for the adhesive to dry to a putty texture so it wont drip but will still adhere. An untreated ear infection can lead to serious long-term complications or may result in your dog needing surgery. Humans and dogs are using it in case of arthritis as helps maintain healthy cartilage and create joint lubricants. Although, each Belgian Malinois is different and you must learn what your own Mal is communicating to you. Bred to work, Mals are packed with powerful muscles, yet their bodies have an elegant appearance. Why Your Belgian Malinois Eats Grass, Poop, and Other Weird Stuff? Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low Tendency to Bark: Moderate Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: Moderate, Length: Short Characteristics: Double coat, flat, straight Colors: Rich fawn with black tipped hairs, mahogany with black tipped hairs Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate, AKC Classification: Herding UKC Classification: Herding Dog Prevalence: So-so. Although calcium is super important for bone development, its not crucial for cartilage. Afghans generally weigh between 50 and 60 pounds. If the infection is left untreated it may become even more difficult to get rid of the infection. As the dog gets older, the ears will begin to straighten up. Its high herding instinct can cause it to try to nip at kids heels. Whats the difference between Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherds? Belgian Malinois require an extensive amount of training to help minimize any behavioral issues and keep their mind engaged. When fully grown, male Belgian Malinois are typically 24-26 inches tall and 60-80 pounds, while females stand about 22-24 inches tall and weigh 40-60 pounds. Select Your Region (opens a modal dialog), 2021 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. If you bring a puppy with a perfect genetics background to your home, the rest its on you. History of the Belgian Malinois The roots of this breed lie in the "Noord-Brabant" region in Belgium. Yes, United Canine Association Registration. However, they can have a protective streak and are somewhat reserved around strangers. In one sense, it shows the true ability of the breed to be an outstanding and reliable working dog. Since German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are comparable in a number of ways, breeding these two breeds leads to an intelligent and hardworking dog. . This can cause damage to certain areas in the ear as well as inflammation and further infection. This in turn makes their faces portray different expressions. This method was described by Susan Barwig in the German Shepherd Book. Belgian Malinois are incredibly loyal dogs and tend to form an unbreakable bond with their human. Here are some things that you can do to set your puppy up for success. The Belgian Malinois' ears should be checked monthly for signs of infection, such as excessive ear wax, redness, and inflammation. That said, Belgian Malinois are predisposed to a few medical issues. Belgian Malinois breed standards suggest that ears should be firm and erect in adult dogs. Thank you. Malinois instinctively display herding behavior such as chasing and circling, moving effortlessly for hours and nipping at people's heels. These dogs are generally very intelligent, loyal, and diligent. At this age, the head is not quite fully grown, so the ears may have a tendency to touch at the tips, but in general, the ears will straighten out and arrive at the proper angle by the time the dog is about 8 months or a year old. History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners. Each time a Mals ears tilt a certain direction, they are expressing themselves and their emotions, concerns, etc. There are a few different reasons why your full-grown Malmay have floppy ears. Before bringing home a Belgian Malinois puppy, make sure your breeder had the pups parents tested for these conditions. In general, this breed is highly trainable, intelligent, and eager to please. Its recommended not to touch your puppys ears too much. Meet Wren - Located in Florida, a Belgian Shepherd / Malinois & Dutch Shepherd Mix Dog for adoption, at Malinois and Dutch Shepherd Rescue, Inc. in Lecanto, FL on Petfinder. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'arcanapets_com-box-4','ezslot_3',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-arcanapets_com-box-4-0'); The ears are made of cartilage and not bone. Energetic companions, thoughtful protectors, and just plain good dogs, Belgian Malinois have an outstanding reputation in the canine community. Size. Belgian Malinois. You may also want to check your Mals ears often for: Shaving Your Belgian Malinois (When To and When Not to Do It.). The Belgian Malinois is a working breed with needs only an experienced owner can meet. Another thing that can help in building cartilage is Vitamin C. Although dogs are able to produce their own vitamin C ( unlike humans) its recommended to feed them with whole food that contains this valuable vitamin. Missing cartilage orpinna(the flap of skin that is covered by fur and composed of muscles that are attached to the cartilage) is the cause ofBelgian Malinois puppies having floppy ears at birth.