Belgian Malinois are dogs with a lot of energy, intelligence, and courage which makes them perfect for military use as well as police work. They were originally bred to hunt wild boar and other large game in the Belgian countryside in Europe. They are often seen as a gentle, loyal companion and family pets. However, Belgian Malinois are also known to be aggressive and would attack without warning.

Read on to find out whether all Belgian Malinois can be aggressive and if they make affectionate family dogs despite their violent nature.

Are Belgian Malinois Aggressive Dogs? 

This is a question that many people are asking themselves. Some people believe that the Belgian Malinois is not aggressive and others believe that they can be aggressive. The reality is that the breed is usually quite docile around their family but there have been incidents where they have attacked strangers.

Belgian Malinois can be aggressive in some cases, but they should not be thought of as an aggressive breed. Given their reserved nature and natural guarding and protecting instincts, these agile dogs are usually aggressive towards strangers. Belgian Malinois can become uncomfortable towards someone unfamiliar so they tend to act in an unfriendly way thus explaining their unusual or aggressive behavior.

Reasons Why Belgian Malinois Can Be Aggressive

Belgian Malinois dogs are known to be aggressive because they were bred to protect their owners and property. They were originally used as herding dogs, guarding livestock against predators and thieves. To this day, they still have this instinct to protect their owners and property but they can also be trained not to be aggressive towards their owners or people that they know well.

Here are 6 reasons why Belgian Malinois dogs are aggressive:

1. One of the main reasons behind their aggressiveness is the genetic trait that has been passed down from their parents.
2. As this fierce breed was developed as guard dogs, their instinct to attack anything they perceive as a threat makes them act aggressively towards strangers and other animals.
3. If Belgian Malinois aren’t guided and trained properly, their behavior can become difficult for owners and people who take care of them.
4. These dogs can be troublesome with their innate hunting and chasing instincts and strong prey drive. If you don’t give them the proper socialization from an early age, they may show aggressive behavior like nipping, biting, chasing, and attacking children as well as other small pets.
5. Lack of adequate physical and mentally stimulating activities can lead Belgian Malinois to be destructive, dangerous, and frightening.
6. As these dogs used to work in packs, lack of continuous interaction, support, and engaging activities will make these dogs miserable and they often resort to damaging actions.

How To Control Your Belgian Malinois’s Aggression

Belgian Malinois are bred to be protective, and their strong sense of smell makes them excellent guard dogs. But if you’re not careful, they can be more than just a handful for your family. They don’t always recognize the line between acceptable behavior and dangerous behavior.

The following tips will help you deal with your Belgian Malinois aggression problem:

1. Start early training and socialization with new people, places, as well as other animals to build up their social skills and decrease aggression when they are faced with new situations.
2. Spend quality time with your pup for at least 30 minutes per day. This will ensure them that you love them and care for them. You can play with your dog by providing games, balls, and other toys you can use together and have fun playing with them.
3. Exercise your dog on daily basis to make sure that they are both physically and mentally sound. Your Belgian Malinois can be a great partner at hiking, jogging, or any other outdoor activities.
4. Remember that one of the most important things is that your behavior matters. A firm and controlled voice is critical when addressing and reprimanding a disobedient or misbehaving Belgian Malinois.
5. It’s also important not to lose your temper or raise your voice in anger as one of the worst punishments for a dog is negative reinforcements. Instead, always use positive reward techniques like giving praise, treats, and toys to correct their behavior.

Are Belgian Malinois Dog-Friendly? 

Although Belgian Malinois are friendly and loyal dogs, they can be territorial and may not get along with other breeds. They can get overly excited when they see other dogs and bark at them. But they can get along if they are raised together with other breeds from a young age and trained to be good friends.

So, what about other pets? If you have other animals like cats, hamsters, and birds, your Belgian Malinois may not get along well with these small animals. Given the breed’s high prey drive, they can chase and attack the animals. But if you socialize them early, it shouldn’t be much of a problem to raise both your Belgian Malinois and another small pet.

Are Belgian Malinois Kid-Friendly?

When raised together or socialized properly, Belgian Malinois can be great with kids. If you’re looking for a Belgian Malinois to join your family, a puppy may be a better option than an adult one. Dogs who are introduced at an early age tend to do well in households and tend to be friendly and docile as they grow up. It’s also equally important to teach children how they should act around a Belgian Malinois as they can provoke the dogs.

Conclusion

The Belgian Malinois is one of the most intelligent and powerful breeds in the world. With a lot of care, training, and patience, these dogs can make great family pets. Although many people are hesitant to adopt them because they are can be aggressive, with proper training and care, this breed can be among the friendliest dogs around.

Thank you for reading the article.

Now that you know how Belgian Malinois can be aggressive, find out more about the breed here. 

Do you have a Belgian Malinois? How is it like living with them? How ferocious are they? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!