Doberman vs Belgian Malinois – Which one should you choose?

You may be deciding between a Doberman or a Belgian Malinois. It all depends on where you live and how easily you can meet the needs of each breed.

This requires understanding their needs. The Belgian Malinois and the Doberman are two distinct breeds of dog. They have different personalities and behaviours. To help you choose the right one for you, we have created the Doberman Vs Belgian Malinois guide.

Are you ready to discover the main differences between the Belgian Malinois and the Doberman? Continue reading!

Doberman vs Belgian Malinois: 6 Key Differences

It is important to understand the differences between the Doberman and Belgian Malinois before you decide which one is right for you. The Doberman is two inches larger than the Malinois and weighs twenty pounds. However, it is quieter and requires less mental and physical exercise. The Doberman’s high prey drive makes it a better companion for smaller pets such as cats than the Belgian Malinois.

Doberman vs Belgian Malinois: Size

The Doberman is bigger than the smaller Belgian Malinois.

They can be up to two inches taller than their Belgian Malinois counterparts, but they can weigh almost twice as much. They are on average twenty pounds heavier than the Belgian Malinois, and many dogs exceed the weight limit that apartment owners set.

Doberman vs Belgian Malinois: Health

Both the Belgian Malinois and the Doberman are healthy dogs. The Doberman is considered to be a larger dog, while the Belgian Malinois can be considered medium. This can lead to different life expectancies and health factors. A reputable breeder can help prevent many of the diseases common in both breeds. It is important to be aware of all conditions to prevent them from becoming serious.

Four main conditions are required for the Doberman to be susceptible:

• Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD).
• Hypothyroidism
• Wobbler’s Syndrome
• Narcolepsy.

Albinism is often a cause of solid white Doberman varieties. This increases their chances of developing skin conditions, such as skin cancer.

However, the Belgian Malinois is more susceptible to eye conditions. This can include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and other similar conditions. Both breeds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. Due to their high energy and the need for hours of exercise, both can develop joint problems later in life.

Doberman vs Belgian Malinois – Relationship with Family

Belgian Malinois is not a good pet for other pets.

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You want to ensure that your dog is a perfect family member when choosing a breed. It would be best to choose a dog who can get along well with your children and other pets.

The Doberman is a loyal protector dog. Although it can be a good companion for children and other pets, they must be raised together. Training a Doberman will take time and effort. Although it will only be able to bond with one person, this can make the dog more social and tolerant of others.

The Belgian Malinois is a herding dog with strong prey drives, so they don’t get along well with other pets. Although they can be with children, it is better to have older children. Belgian Malinois can be very strong and may knock over small children. As with the Dobermans, it is important to train your Belgian Malinois from a young age.

Doberman vs Belgian Malinois: Noise Levels

Dobermans make a great guard dog. Dobermans will only bark when they are trying to communicate something to you. It could be basic needs such as water or the need to go outside. Or it could be to alert you to something that they perceive as a threat.

Belgian Malinois can be more vocal than huskies, but they are not as talkative. If they aren’t getting enough energy, they will bark to communicate with other dogs or you. It can be difficult to keep them in your apartment because of their loud noises, which could cause noise complaints and disrupt neighbours.