The Belgian Malinois is an intelligent, medium-sized shepherd dog. Their body is covered with a short, thick coat that keeps shedding throughout the year. They exhibit bravery and agility and are often used as security, military, or working dogs. You can also train them to provide personal protection. They are known to be highly active and need physical exercises and mental stimulation every day. Their friendly and affectionate personality allows them to form strong bonds with their owners.
Here is everything you need to know regarding the Belgian Malinois' weight and size, how much to feed a puppy Malinois, and more information to help keep them happy and healthy.
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Table of Contents:
Male Belgian Malinois Growth & Weight Chart
Female Belgian Malinois Growth & Weight Chart
When Does a Belgian Malinois Stop Growing?
How Much Bigger Will My Belgian Malinois Get?
The following chart provides an idea of the average weight and height of a male Belgian Malinois from birth to three years of age. These figures may vary slightly during your dog's growth; therefore, you must always consult a veterinarian.
Age (months) | Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) | Height (in) | Height (cm) |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 3 – 9 | 1.4 – 4.1 | 8-10 | 20-25 |
1 | 10 – 20 | 4.5 – 9.1 | 10-14 | 25-35 |
2 | 20 – 30 | 9.1 – 13.6 | 14-18 | 35-45 |
3 | 25 – 35 | 11.3 – 15.9 | 18-21 | 45-53 |
4 | 30 – 40 | 13.6 – 18.1 | 19-22 | 48-56 |
5 | 35 – 45 | 15.9 – 20.4 | 20-23 | 51-58 |
6 | 40 – 50 | 18.1 – 22.7 | 21-24 | 53-61 |
7 | 45 – 55 | 20.4 – 25 | 22-25 | 56-63 |
8 | 50 – 60 | 22.7 – 27.2 | 23-26 | 58-66 |
9 | 55 – 65 | 25 – 29.5 | 24-27 | 61-69 |
10 | 60 – 70 | 27.2 – 31.8 | 24-27 | 61-69 |
11 | 65 – 75 | 29.5 – 34 | 25-28 | 63-71 |
12 | 70 – 80 | 31.8 – 36.3 | 25-28 | 63-71 |
24 | 65 – 75 | 29.5 – 34 | 25-28 | 63-71 |
The following chart shows the average heights and weights of female Malinois from birth to two years of age.
Age (months) | Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg | Height (in) | Height (cm) |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 3 – 9 | 1.4 – 4.1 | 8 – 10 | 20 – 25 |
1 | 10 – 20 | 4.5 – 9.1 | 10 – 14 | 25 – 35 |
2 | 20 – 30 | 9.1 – 13.6 | 4 – 18 | 35 – 45 |
3 | 25 – 35 | 11.3 – 15.9 | 18 – 21 | 45 – 53 |
4 | 30 – 40 | 13.6 – 18.1 | 19 – 22 | 48 – 56 |
5 | 35 – 45 | 15.9 – 20.4 | 20 – 23 | 51 – 58 |
6 | 40 – 50 | 18.1- 22.7 | 21 – 24 | 53 – 61 |
7 | 45 – 55 | 20.4 – 25 | 22 – 25 | 56 – 63 |
8 | 50 – 60 | 22.7 – 27.2 | 23 – 26 | 58 – 66 |
9 | 55 – 65 | 25 – 29.5 | 24 – 27 | 61 – 69 |
10 | 60 – 70 | 27.2 – 31.8 | 24 – 27 | 61 – 69 |
11 | 65 – 75 | 29.5 – 34 | 25 – 28 | 63 – 71 |
12 | 70 – 80 | 31.8 – 36.3 | 25 – 28 | 63 – 71 |
24 | 65 – 75 | 29.5 – 34 | 25 – 28 | 63 – 71 |
The Belgian Malinois reaches adult size at about a year old. They experience rapid growth up to 11 months old. During this time, they also attain 90% of their adult weight.
Due to their high energy and activity levels, they may continue growing until 18 months of age. Their muscular build continues developing until they reach their second year, which is impacted by lifestyle and diet.
The Belgian Malinois fully depends on their mom from birth to around two weeks. During this period, they lack teeth and can neither see nor hear. Their sense of taste and touch helps them curl to their parent for warmth and milk. Their ears start functioning, and their eyes begin to open at two weeks old.
At four to nine months, they begin teething and develop a desire to chew everything around their habitat. They are the most affectionate at this age, allowing you to form an extraordinary connection with them.
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Your Belgian Malinois will not proceed to grow in height after two years, but they may continue gaining weight. For this reason, it is essential to regulate their diet to avoid obesity. You must feed your dog the correct amount of food according to their age.
A proper diet from birth supports proper development and puts less strain on your dog's joints. You can check with your vet to determine the right amount of food for your Malinois, as how much and when to feed your pup may depend on its activity level, size, and more. Dog food bags also typically have a helpful chart to help you serve the right amount of food for every age.
Genetics is the main factor that affects the maximum size of your dog. If you neuter your Malinois before they are a year old, their height may be affected. Your dog's gender affects their maximum size limit. Male Belgian Malinois grow taller and heavier than the females.
There are various ways to measure the growth progress of your Malinois. The simplest way is by using a measuring stick:
A fully-grown Belgian Malinois is classified as a medium-sized breed. An adult female weighs 40 to 60 pounds, whereas a male weighs 60 to 80 pounds.
Dogs often reach their full height sooner than their adult weight. A Belgian Malinois puppy reaches full height around the first birthday and continues to gain weight until about 24 months old.
You need to make regular visits to the veterinary doctor to assess your dog's overall health and development. Before you first visit your local vet, we recommend purchasing pet insurance.
Pet insurance gives you a financial safety net in case of any required medical treatment for unexpected health issues in dogs, like injuries and illnesses, many of which can cost thousands of dollars. With pet insurance, you will be reimbursed for a portion of the money you may pay out-of-pocket on veterinary service for covered conditions.
Add-on wellness plans are also available to help with the vet visit costs of preventive pet care, including flea/tick prevention, spay or neutering, and so much more.
How do you know which plan is right for you and your Malinois? Pawlicy Advisor offers Belgian Malinois pet insurance that help you protect your pup’s health and save money over their lifetime.
Other ways include keeping your dog engaged by providing training sessions, interactive toys, and dog puzzles. This helps with mind stimulation and the prevention of harmful behaviors. Incorporate high-quality diets into your dog's feeding routine. You can alter the feeds based on your dog's activity level, weight, and age.
With a veterinarian's permission, you can use supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine to improve your dog's joint health. If your dog fails to gain weight as expected, consult a veterinarian to sort out underlying health issues.
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Ricky Walther, DVM, is a small animal general practitioner in the greater Sacramento, California area. Realizing the positive financial and medical impact that pet insurance can provide for pet parents and the profession, he lends support and advice to companies like Pawlicy Advisor "The Pet Insurance Marketplace") that simplify the process of connecting with veterinary financing resources.