Beaucerons tend to be larger, higher-energy, and less stranger-friendly. Belgian Malinois dogs live longer, shed less, and are a bit lower-energy. We’ll talk about these differences in more detail below.
Comparing Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois
Key Differences Between Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois
The key difference between the Beauceron and Belgian Malinois is their size. Beaucerons are quite a bit larger! Other differences between these breeds include coat color, lifespan, temperament, trainability, energy level, grooming needs, and shedding level. Let’s explore these more in-depth below!
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Size
Beaucerons stand 24-27 inches in height, which isn’t so different from the Belgian Malinois at 22-26 inches. When it comes to weight, there’s a greater contrast. Beaucerons are more bulky, weighing 70-110 pounds regardless of gender. Belgian Malinois dogs weigh 45-75 pounds, with females being on the lower end of that spectrum (between 40-60 pounds). Of course, you can’t see this in a photograph—but it should be relatively easy to notice in person.
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Coat Colors
If the weight difference fails you, the next step is to look at the dog’s color! These breeds each come in various colors but don’t share coat colors and patterns. This makes it pretty easy to differentiate them when you know what to look for. Here are the acceptable coat colors according to the Beauceron breed standard:
Black and rustBlack and tanHarlequinGray, black, and tan
As you can see, Beaucerons always have some amount of black fur mixed with another color. Belgian Malinois dogs may be any of the following colors:
FawnMahoganyRedRed sableFawn sable
They can also have a black mask marking, meaning they have black fur around the eyes and snout. Beaucerons have no markings according to the breed standard, though they are multi-colored!
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Lifespan
Belgian Malinois dogs live a long lifespan for their size at a whopping 14-16 years! Beaucerons live a shorter time at 10-12 years. If a long lifespan is important to you, a Belgian Malinois may be the better choice. That said, many factors go into how long a dog will live, and these are only averages. Some puppies are poorly-bred or otherwise ill and die young. Other dogs will live well past their expected lifespan! Genetics, health, diet, exercise, and veterinary care all play a role in how long an individual dog lives. A dog fed a well-balanced diet, exercised daily, and given routine veterinary care is likely to live longer than a dog who is malnourished, rarely gets exercise, and doesn’t receive veterinary care.
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Temperament
There is one difference in the temperament of these two breeds, and it’s how they are with strangers! It’s also only a slight difference. Beaucerons are typically reserved around strangers. They may be fearful or stand-offish if not properly socialized. They can also take their guarding instincts too far and become aggressive, thinking they’re defending their family, property, or themselves! This is possible with Belgian Malinois dogs too, but slightly less likely. These dogs were both bred for herding, but today they work a plethora of jobs: livestock guardians, guarding homes, and working for the police, military, and search and rescue teams. They’re intelligent and high-energy. It’s important to keep up with their need for exercise and mental stimulation and to train them young to keep their guarding instincts under control.
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Trainability
Speaking of trainability, both breeds are incredibly intelligent and love to please their people. However, they have some instinctual behaviors that can add a challenge to their training. Neither is recommended for first-time pet parents. Let’s start with the Beauceron. Beaucerons are going to be extra bouncy as puppies—and even into adulthood if they aren’t well-trained. As they grow older, you and your visitors will likely tire of the behavior! These dogs can knock someone over at full size, so it’s important to teach them not to jump on people. They also tend to hop up and grab your arm, which should never be allowed! But, it’s also important to note that this is an instinctual, playful behavior and that your dog doesn’t mean any harm. Have patience and use gentle training methods, like redirection. This means, for example, tossing a ball when you see they’re getting hyped up. This allows them to do what they need—catch something in their mouth—without grabbing at people. Ideally, you can begin to catch them before the unwanted behavior happens and redirect their attention. Belgian Malinois dogs tend to have a strong prey drive. If they see something moving, they want to chase and catch it! Again, this isn’t ill-intentioned—it’s just their instincts playing out. However, it can be harmful in a few ways. Firstly, your Belgian Malinois should never be allowed off-leash in an unenclosed space. It’s best if you have a backyard with a tall fence that they cannot jump. If your dog runs off after something, it could cross busy streets or get so far that you can’t find it again! Work on recall, but don’t expect it to be reliable when their eye catches on something! They might also chase children or smaller pets. This can end in injury for the one being chased, even if your Malinois was just trying to play. It’s important to socialize them well and to never let them chase children. Both breeds have strong guarding instincts. It can be difficult to teach them when it’s acceptable to guard and when they need to relax. This is why early socialization and training are so crucial!
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Energy Level
Both breeds are high-energy with a need for mental stimulation. They’re incredibly smart and hard-working dogs. Owning these breeds is a lifestyle; they aren’t an addition to your life who will sit on the sidelines! Beaucerons benefit from a range of exercises and locations. This can include daily walks, games of catch, and preferably some more exertive activities like jogging or running. They won’t thrive if expected to exercise themselves in the backyard or settle for one daily walk. Belgian Malinois are very similar, but if anything, they’re clingier than Beaucerons! They enjoy having human family members join in on their activities. Think of things like hiking, running, or even biking. Walking won’t be enough to tire them, and they need to be able to let all of their energy out! Both dogs also benefit from dog sports when done ethically. Even training at home is beneficial as it exercises their minds and bodies. Remember, these dogs are suited to a wide range of jobs—and as working dogs, they love having tasks to do, even if it’s just cleaning up their toys around the house! Lastly, enrichment activities that stimulate their brains are a must. Lick mats or puzzle toys at mealtime are a great place to start!
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Grooming
Both dogs benefit from weekly grooming, but a Belgian Malinois can be brushed less often with fewer consequences. Brushing your dog’s coat helps to distribute their natural oils. This makes the coat healthier, promotes new growth, and also makes them look a lot better. It also helps to reduce shed—which, as we’ll discuss next, is super important for a Beauceron. Each breed will also have a shedding season twice yearly. During this time, they’ll shed more heavily and should be brushed daily.
Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois: Shedding
Beaucerons shed a ton! Their fur is likely to coat your floors, furniture, clothing, and anything else around your pup. You can reduce this by grooming them weekly, as we discussed above, but it’s always going to be there. A vacuum and a lint roller are must-haves! Belgian Malinois are moderate shedders. They shed like any other dog but are relatively low-maintenance. During shedding season, they will shed heavily.
