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German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix (Shpeinois): A Complete Breed Guide

Categorized as German Shepherd Types and Mixes
Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix

There are many breeds of dogs in the world, and the German Shepherd Belgian Malinois mix is one of them. Here’s a guide to this mixed-breed dog!

What is a Shepinois?

A Shepinois, also known as a Shpeinois or German Shepherd Malinois mix, is the combination of the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois. While it is a new breed, this dog has been gaining popularity. It takes the best qualities from its parents: it gets its intelligence and independence from the German Shepherd but also has protection instincts coming from the Belgian Malinois.

Let’s take a closer look at the breeds in a Shepinois to learn more about the dog.

German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois Basic Facts

German Shepherd Basic Facts

A German Shepherd’s name is not just a cute nickname; it comes from the country of origin. These dogs were developed in Germany to be able to herd sheep and other farm animals, as well as protect them from predators. They have been bred for these purposes since they were first created in 1899, which means it has been 100 years of selective breeding to get the perfect dog for these jobs.

They are known to be one of the smartest dog breeds, with a 2006 study showing they have a higher “intelligence” than other dogs. This means they are good at understanding what their owners want from them and following those commands. And while German Shepherds can be protective of their families, they are also very loyal to children and other family members.

They come in a variety of different colors and sizes, with the most common being black, sable, red and black, black and tan, grey, or black and silver. The coloring will likely change as they grow up. While they usually don’t grow to be taller than 2 feet, they have a medium-sized build.

Belgian Malinois Basic Facts

The Belgian Malinois breed is s a medium-size Belgian shepherd dog that at first glance resembles a German Shepherd Dog. These dogs were bred to be herding dogs. They are very energetic dogs, always ready and eager to work. They are also very intelligent yet independent.

This breed of dog was first created in Belgium in the late 19th century when farmers wanted a hardworking dog that could help herd their animals to manage their farms. The Malinois is one of four Belgian shepherds recognized by the United Kennel Club, and it is a very popular police dog because of its energy, strength, speed, alertness, and intelligence.

Belgian Malinois dogs have a short straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. The color can range from a rich fawn to mahogany. They also have floppy ears that fold into little triangles. As they get older, the ears will begin to straighten up.

What does a German Malinois look like?

The Belgian Malinois German Shepherd is not a hypoallergenic dog. The coat is double-coated with a dense undercoat. The outer coat is short and straight but can sometimes be wavy, with some people referring to it as being “hairy” or shaggy. The coat length itself can be varied from short, medium, to long.

The German Shepherd Belgian Malinois mix generally has the same colors that were inherited from both the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois. The common coat colors are fawn, black, brown, blue, white, and tan.

They have a flat skull and a longer muzzle. Their eyes are almond-shaped with a black nose and high-set pointed ears. Their body is sturdy and athletic, yet still elegant and graceful looking.  

The German Shepherd Belgian Malinois height is between 18.5 and 23 inches. They also weigh 56.5 to 75 pounds, with females being lighter than males.

What is the temperament of a German Shepherd Belgian Malinois mix?

This dog will be very loyal to its owner. This dog is very smart and quick learning, which means it will be easy to train them in obedience or other tasks you may want. Sometimes, however, they can be stubborn, the downside of both parent breeds. This dog enjoys playing bite games and also loves barking a lot.

They are very energetic and will love going on walks, runs, hikes, or playing games if they get a little free time. They can run for miles if given the opportunity.

The German Shepherd Belgian Malinois loves to spend time with their families and is known for being protective, loyal, and very sociable. They are known to be good family dogs as they will get along with children of all ages and other dogs, providing they are appropriately socialized from an early age, but due to their high prey drive, they are not recommended to be around small children.

Can Malinois German Shepherd Mix Be AKC Registered?

Unfortunately, no. While both parent breeds enjoy being registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the AKC doesn’t recognize this mix as a breed of dog on its own and, therefore, cannot allow registration.

However, they can be registered with other organizations such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC).

Belgian Malinois Food and Diet Requirements

The Belgian Malinois belongs to a group of dogs that are considered medium-sized breeds. This means they require a diet similar to other medium-sized breeds, but it also depends on their activity level. In order to maintain a healthy weight, this dog should get between 2 1/2 to 6 1/4 cups of high-quality dry food per day for adults and about 5/8 to 3 3/4 cups for puppies (these amounts are for 24 hours).

German Malinois puppies should eat about 3 to more feedings times per day, which is more than what adults need. As your puppy gets older, you can reduce their feedings to twice daily.

The reason why puppies need more feedings each day than adults do is because when they are growing, their bodies require more calories that can only be obtained through food intake. Puppies also depend on eating often to nourish themselves as the puppy’s stomach produces less digestive juices compared to an adult dog.

German Malinois puppy

What Can German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix Puppies Eat?

At 0 – 3 weeks of age, a German Malinois puppy should only eat the mother’s milk. When the pups are 3 weeks old, the pup will begin weaning off their mother’s milk, you can start feeding them a blend of wet puppy food with milk replacer. Then, gradually decrease the ratio of milk replacer and increase the amount of puppy food you give to your pup until they eat puppy food completely.

At 4 – 6 weeks, your pup should be completely eating puppy food. At 6 – 12 months, you can gradually begin to switch from puppy food to adult dog food. It is okay if you decide to continue to give your pup puppy food longer than needed to make sure they’re getting all the nutrition they need.

What Should I Feed My Adult Dog?

The best type of food for an adult dog will depend on their life stage and activity level. Your dog is considered an adult once they have reached sexual maturity, which occurs around 12 months of age in medium-sized dogs.

In most adult German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix’s, a good food choice would be high-quality dog food that has between 18 to 25 percent protein. Whether you want to feed dry food or a combination of dry and wet food will depend on your dog’s preference, lifestyle, allergies, and the nutrient profile of the food. A good rule of thumb is to feed a ratio of 75 percent dry food and 25 percent wet food for large dogs, and 50/50 for small dogs.

While dry food is by far the most common type of dog food, this does not mean it is the best. The quality of the wet food is better than that of the dry variety. Wet foods are easily digested and give your pooch all the water they need without requiring them to drink a lot of it, which gulping down handfuls at a time from a bowl can be frustrating.

Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Grooming

Grooming is a vital part of owning any dog. However, it can be especially challenging with double-coated dogs like German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mixes. The combination of their straight or wavy topcoat and harsh undercoat means that they need to be groomed regularly to keep the hair from matting down and causing all sorts of problems.

First, you will want to invest in some good grooming tools. The first thing you’ll need is a high-quality brush that will be gentle on your pup’s skin. You can find specific brushes designed especially for double-coated dogs, but a slicker brush or pin brush should work just fine as well.

You will also want to buy some nail clippers. If you never trimmed your dog’s nails before, it may be best to ask someone at the pet store for help on this one.

When brushing and grooming your German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix, start with the face and then work from back to front. Once your pup is fully grown, you will probably need to trim or shave their hair when it gets long.

There are several ways to bathe a German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix puppy safely in an apartment or house without having access to a yard. You can either fill up your bathroom tub with some water and use shampoo, or you could buy an indoor pet shower so that you don’t have to take them outside into the cold weather.

The shampoo you’ll want to use will depend on your pup’s skin and hair type. Dogs with sensitive or dry skin should be bathed with hypoallergenic, pH-balanced shampoo, as well as those dogs who have very oily coats because they may react negatively to regular dog shampoo. Meanwhile, dogs with dry, flaky skin should use moisturizing shampoo.

Once your pup has been thoroughly groomed and bathed, it is a good idea to brush them again. This will not only help remove any loose hair or dirt that was left behind, but it can also be a great bonding experience between you and your dog.

Exercising Your Malinois Shepherd Mix

German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix puppies should have at least between 45 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day from a young age. This could be in the form of playing with other dogs or running around your yard without a leash on.

This is especially important for German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix because if they are not given enough exercise, then their energy and mental development can suffer. In addition, their physical will also likely be negatively affected.

When you do take your dog out for a walk, it is imperative that you keep them on a leash at all times to prevent any form of running away or getting into trouble with other animals or people. In addition, some local governments require dogs to always be leashed when outside.

Malinois Shepherds Health Concerns

You should ask your vet about which results you should expect from any genetic testing you have done to determine whether or not your German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix dog has genetic issues.

Here are the major health concerns of Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix:

  • Bloat
  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Allergies
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
  • Cataracts
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Megaesophagus
  • Hemophilia
  • Inherited ventricular tachycardia

How Long Does German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix Live?

German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix tends to have a life expectancy of between 10-14 years.

Is a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix The Right Dog For You?

The German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix is an excellent choice for people who want a dog with high energy and who will be able to take frequent walks. However, keep in mind that even though this dog is very social, they may not be the most affectionate breed of dog you’ve ever owned because they are bred first and foremost to do work.

You need to be prepared to provide an active lifestyle for your dog. Lack of exercise is likely to result in boredom and frustration, which could lead to destructive behavior at home.

A first-time dog owner is not recommended for this breed because of the huge responsibility that comes with this breed. There are a lot more dog breeds out there that don’t require as much attention and exercise, making them a better choice considering the amount of time it may take to give your German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix all the necessary care they need.

How Much Do German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix Cost?

The average price for a German Shepherd Belgian Malinois mix puppy is between $500-$2000. This will vary depending on where you are looking to purchase your pup, the breeder’s location, and how old they are when being put up for adoption.

Where to find Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix breeders?

There are many different places where you can find information about breeders—these range from online forums to newspaper ads and more. The challenge is finding a responsible breeder who can provide you with the best dog.

A reputable breeder will not sell their dogs through a pet store or online, as this is often where you’ll find puppy mills looking to make a profit. Reputable breeders also do genetic testing on the parents before breeding so that they can weed out any genetic issues and provide you with a healthy dog.

A responsible breeder will be able to give you a history of the parents and even provide you a list of references from purchasers who have purchased their dogs in the past.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.

Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. If you do decide to purchase them, please remember that I’ll earn a small commission which helps me maintain this website.

By Andrew Garf

Andrew Garf has loved dogs, especially German Shepherds, since he was 10 years old. Though he also loves burgers, training dogs is his real passion. That's why he created the website TrainYourGSD.com - to help dog owners learn how to properly train, care for, and bond with their German Shepherd dogs.