Great Dane vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison

Great Dane vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed ComparisonGreat Dane is originated from Germany but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) is originated from Belgium. Great Dane may grow 20 cm / 8 inches higher than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Great Dane may weigh 56 kg / 124 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Both Great Dane and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) has almost same life span. Great Dane may have more litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Both Great Dane and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) requires Low maintenance.

History

great dane - historyKnown as the Deutsche Dogge or Apollo of dogs, the giant-breed Great Dane hails from Germany and not Denmark as many people believe.

The large Great Dane has been around for about 400 years already. They descend from mastiff-like dogs, being needed to protect country estates.

In the 18th century, apart from watching over estates, they were also popular with the upper class for sport.

belgian shepherd dog malinois - historyThe Belgian Malinois is one of 4 Belgian Shepherd varieties. The dogs were developed- and hail from Belguim. The Malinois has a short, fawn colored coat. The American Kennel Club recognizes that the Malinois is a separate breed from the other 3 varieties. It was in 1892 that Professor Reul wrote the first Belgian Shepherd Dog standard, recognizing 3 varieties – dogs with short coats, dogs with long coats and dogs with rough coats.

Today's Malinois goes back to a breeding pair owned by Adrien Janssens. It was in 1885 that he bought a fawn, rough-haired dog, breeding the dog with a short-haired dog named Lise de Laeken. After other breedings, the two dogs were recognized as ancestors of the modern Belgian Shepherd Dogs.

The city of Malines formed a club for the promotion of these fawn short hairs and the name Malinois became synonymous with them. In March 1992, the American Belgian Malinois Club received AKC parent club status.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Germany
Belgium
Height Male:
76 - 86 cm
29 - 34 inches
61 - 66 cm
24 - 26 inches
Height Female:
76 - 86 cm
29 - 34 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
29 - 34 kg
63 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 15
6 - 10
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Apollo of Dogs, Dane, Deutsche Dogge
Mali,Berger Belge Malinois, Mechelse Berger
Colors Available:
black or brindle - bi-color, Fawn
Fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, brown or red
Coat:
Short and smooth
short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

great dane puppy - descriptionThe Great Dame is a tall, lean, athletic, muscular, elegant looking dog. He can stand anything between 76–86cm in height and weigh around 54–90kg. The large head is long and narrow, and the medium sized floppy ears can be left or they can be cropped.

The tail is long and held low. The coat is short and smooth and can be in several colors such as fawn, black or brindle.

Temperament:

Any kind of aggressiveness was bred out of the Great Dane and today he is a gentle giant of a dog, getting on well with other dogs, children and everyone in his human family.

Even though he is a gentle giant, he will still require training and socialization just because of his size. Then they become the devoted pet that they are so well known to be. You'll want to know that when he comes indoors, he will obey you when you tell him to lie-down, sit or come, otherwise his sheer size will see him knocking things accidentally off table-tops.

He is an intelligent dog and is eager to please so he'll learn easily. He craves human companionship, so make sure that your social Dane has plenty of interaction with you.

Similarities to German Shepherd

belgian shepherd dog malinois puppy - descriptionThe Malinois is a medium-size Belgian shepherd dog. People sometimes mistake them for the German Shepherd as they are fairly similar to look at. The Malinois however is a smaller, lighter boned dog with naturally upright ears and a black-masked face. He is shorthaired and fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, although other colors are brown or red too. He is an intelligent and active dog, always having been used for herding-, police- and rescue work.

Reserved or Friendly

You’ll find the Malinois somewhat unpredictable as some are friendly and confident while other can be shy and withdrawn around strangers. This is a dog who loves to be around his human family, but to bring out the best in him, training and socialization classes will be necessary. Well-socialized Malinois are always good with children and other pets, more so if they’ve been raised with them.

Characteristics

great dane dog - characteristicsThe Great Dane is a large breed, bred to hunt wild boar. The intelligence, bravery and fearless nature of the dog meant that he was sought after for this task.

Known as the Apollo of Dogs, you won’t find the Great Dane being used for hunting purposes anymore, being more suited as a companion dog.

While developed as a working breed, today he is a well balanced, intelligent, calm, loving, social, dependable dog that just wants to be loved by his human family and to provide love, loyalty and companionship back in return.

belgian shepherd dog malinois dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Malinois makes a wonderful guard dog and he works hard to ensure that his human family, whom he adores, are well protected under his watch. They’re such intelligent dogs too that you may feel inclined to pass over some of your chores to him.

He responds well to training, and to get the best from this breed, start with training and socialization as soon as you bring your puppy home.

Socialization is excellent as it introduces your puppy to different people, animals as well as situations.

He is an adaptable dog and can live in an apartment if he is well exercised. He can be your devoted and loyal friend for a good number of years but you will have to do your part in providing him with the best care possible.

Health Problems

great dane puppies - health problemsTypically of giant dogs, the Great Dane doesn't have a particularly long life-span and will live to be about 8 to 10 years of age. Also, giant-breed dogs like this are susceptible to what is known as bloat.

You'll notice it because there is swelling of the stomach with gas buildup and also twisting of the stomach. It's a life-threatening condition and you'll need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. You can combat it by feeding him smaller, more frequent meals and perhaps buying a slow-feeder dish, forcing your hungry pet to eat slower and not gulp his food down.

Also, large dogs like this can develop hip dysplasia and with a dog like the Great Dane, it takes a while for the bones and joints to grow and then become stable. That is why it is important not to make him do any vigorous exercise till he is at least 18 months of age, as these exercises can put a lot of stress on the joints and bones which can lead to hip dysplasia later on.

belgian shepherd dog malinois puppies - health problemsBelgian Malinois are generally healthy dogs. However every dog, regardless of breed, can pick up illnesses, and it is always wise to be aware of some of the diseases your Malinois might face.

Hip Dysplasia

An inherited condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

A degenerative eye disorder that can lead to blindness.

Dental problems

Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove tartar build-up. Too much plague leads to inflamed gums, bad breath, pus inside the mouth and even loss of teeth.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

great dane dogs - caringThis is a large dog so you’ll notice that with commercially manufactured dog foods, there are those made specially for large- or giant breeds. It is important to choose the right dog food for his large size so that you can be sure he gets the right amount of nutrients in for him to grow strong and healthy.

If you aren't sure about what food would most benefit your Great Dane, ask your vet. While it is important to also feed him quality home-made food and raw meat, when buying kibble for him,check the label of the food you buy him and make sure that the concentration of protein isn’t more than 23 to 25%.

Remember to provide him with a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Brush your Great Dane’s coat at least twice a week. He has a short, smooth coat so it will be easy, and the brushing will keep his coat soft and shiny. Use this time to also check for fleas and ticks or lumps. You will also need to check his nails and trim them if they don’t trim down on their own.

Exercise:

Your Great Dane will need to be exercised every day if you want him to maintain his lean, muscular shape. It keeps him happy too. He isn’t the kind of dog though that you want to turn into your running partner when you go jogging or cycling. He can go on a walk and play in the garden, but the exercising shouldn’t be for long periods of time.

His first checkup:

Every puppy needs to get to the vet for his first check-up when he is 6 weeks of age, and your Dane will also have to. As a puppy he will need to be de-wormed which will happen with this 6 week check up. He will also be vaccinated for distemper.

Regular Brushing as he’s a Shedder

belgian shepherd dog malinois dogs - caringBecause the Malinois is a constant shedder, with a couple of heavy shedding periods during the year, you’ll need to be conscientious with his grooming and brush him at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs and to give his thick coat a glossy, healthy look to it.

Exercise

Because of their high energy, Malinois aren’t recommended for couch-potato type owners. It will be cruel to buy such a dog and to leave him to waste away with boredom and frustration in your back yard. He’ll want lots of rough and tumble, ball games, runs in the park or in the country and long walks.

Feeding

Belgian Shepherd Malinois puppies are vulnerable when they’re tiny, and it would be wise to speak to your vet about superb nutrition to build up a puppy’s immune system.

An excellent way to ensure the health of your growing Malinois is to give him a home prepared meals along with commercially manufactured food recommended by your vet. You can’t just put a bowl of commercially manufactured dog food in front of him day after day month after month.

Apart from what your vet recommends, give him some brown rice, some cooked vegetables and some raw meat. Raw meat will ensure he can fight of skin infections. The age of the dog, emotional state and environmental influences can all play a role in skin diseases with dogs, but by ensuring some raw meat in his diet, the immune system is strengthened and skin disorders are eliminated. Always ensure a steady supply of fresh water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shiloh Shepherd vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  3. Great Dane vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Great Dane vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  5. Great Dane vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Great Dane vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. Great Dane vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  8. Great Dane vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  9. Great Dane vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  10. Great Dane vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  11. Great Dane vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  12. Great Dane vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  13. Great Dane vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  14. Great Dane vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  15. Great Dane vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  16. Great Dane vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  17. Great Dane vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  18. Newfoundland Dog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  19. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  20. Leonberger vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  22. Mountain Burmese vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  23. Gaddi Kutta vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  24. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  25. Moscow Watchdog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  27. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  30. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  31. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  32. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  35. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  36. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  37. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  38. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  39. Catahoula Cur vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  40. Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  41. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  42. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  43. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  44. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  45. Queensland Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  46. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  47. Bohemian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  48. Croatian Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  49. Red Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  50. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds