Belgian Malinois Growth Chart – Size & Weight Chart

Belgian Malinois are also known as Belgian Shepherds, and they are a lean, muscular, and athletic-looking breed of dogs.

To monitor their height and weight as they grow from puppyhood to adulthood, you should keep a Belgian Malinois growth chart with you.

So, how big do they get? Generally, a fully grown Belgian Malinois is classified as a medium-sized breed and should weigh between 40 and 80 pounds with a height of between 22 and 26 inches. Females are smaller and lighter than males.

This herding dog originated from Belgium and is often used as a military, police, and protection dog.

Continue reading to learn more about their growth and how you can help them maintain a healthy weight as they grow.

When Do Belgian Malinois Stop Growing?

Generally, Belgian Malinois reach their adult height just before they reach their first birthday, which is usually between the ages of 10 and 11 months.

However, they might grow slightly more until they reach 18 months of age.

When it comes to weight, Belgian Malinois will attain 90% of their adult size when they are one year old, then take one more year to fill up their body frame and reach their adult weight.

But some Belgian Malinois takes up to three years to reach their adult weight and this depends on their diet and lifestyle.

Belgian Malinois Weight Chart

A Belgian Malinois growth chart shows you the weight estimation of your puppy depending on their age. Since it is an estimation, your dog’s weight may deviate slightly from the number in the Belgian Malinois weight chart.

However, if the deviation is too much, you should contact the vet as they could be overweight or underweight.

At three months, a male Belgian Malinois should weigh between 23 and 27 pounds, at six months they should weigh between 43 and 52 pounds, and at one year they should weigh between 59 and 70 pounds.

A female Belgian Malinois at three months should weigh between 17 and 25 pounds, at six months weigh between 32 and 46 pounds, and at one year weigh between 42 and 63 pounds.

Belgian Malinois Puppy Weight Chart

Best Dog Food For Belgian Malinois Puppies (2022)

• Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Dog Food (Editor’s Choice)
• Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dog Food (Runner-Up)

Belgian Malinois Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks

At this stage, the puppy is fully dependent on the mother as they are born deaf, blind, and toothless, and cannot do anything at all. They can touch and taste, and they cuddle next to their mother for warmth and milk.

They spend most of their time sleeping and cannot walk properly as their muscles are not yet developed.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

At three weeks, your puppy’s sense of sight and hearing are developed, and their muscles become strong, meaning they can wag the tail, stand, run, and bark.

As they grow, their teeth grow, start playing with littermates, and they become aware of their environment.

Weaning happens during this period, and they will begin to have control over their bladder. This is also the time to introduce socialization and obedience training.

4 Months – 9 Months

Teething happens during this stage, and you’re your puppy will chew anything in their surroundings. Vaccinations are given during this period as well.

Your puppy needs to know you are the pack leader and through more socialization and obedience training, you can have a great bond with them.

This is the time to spay or neuter your Belgian Malinois. You should also spend more time playing and exercising them for improved bone and muscle health.

10 Months – 18 Months

This is the period where they are sexually mature and if you did not spay or neuter them, they can start breeding.

Most Belgian Malinois will reach their adult weight and height, but some will continue growing past the 18-month-old mark. You can switch from puppy food to adult food with the help of your vet.

Adult

As an adult, your puppy will start behaving like a regular Belgian Malinois, but they will still enjoy your company.

There are not so many changes happening in adulthood, and all that your dog now needs is regular exercise, balanced meals, and regular visits to the vet to stay healthy and active.

How Big Do Belgian Malinois Get?

There are ways that you can tell how big your Belgian Malinois will get such as looking at their parents, paws, our Belgian Malinois size chart, or even doing a DNA test.

The size of your puppy’s parents is a clear indication of their adult size since physical characteristics can be transferred from the parents to the offspring.

Sourcing your puppy from a reputable breeder means that you get to see the parents and get an idea of how big your puppy will be.

However, if you do not have access to the parent’s information, you can do a DNA test that tells you which breed your dog is and their expected adult weight and height.

Another way to predict your puppy’s adult size is to check their paws. If they are bigger and not proportional to their body, then they are still growing to fill up their body frame.

Finally, you can use a Belgian Malinois weight chart to tell their weight as they grow. Generally, a fully grown Belgian Malinois should weigh between 40 and 80 pounds with a height of between 22 and 26 inches.

Male vs Female Belgian Malinois Size Chart

Belgian Malinois are elegant, square, and well-balanced dogs in appearance with a proud carriage of the neck and head.

When it comes to the size of a male vs female Belgian Malinois, they look identical and can be difficult to tell the difference at first but there are a few differences that set them apart.

Males are more muscular and taller than females. Males are more adventurous and playful while females are more receptive and smaller and tend to stay close to their owners.

When it comes to their height and weight, a male Belgian Malinois weighs between 60 to 80 pounds with a height of around 24 to 26 inches while the females weigh between 40 and 60 pounds with a height of around 22 to 24 inches.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Belgian Malinois Affect His Growth?

When it comes to neutering your male Belgian Malinois or spaying your female Belgian Malinois, the process mustn’t be delayed as the dog’s body is changing and growing and the hormones could be affected.

Spaying and neutering should be done between the ages of 4 and 8 months. Males can be neutered as early as four months while females should be spayed before they turn 8 months old.

Spaying and neutering help with reducing aggressive behavior and tension in dogs making them more friendly and peaceful. These procedures also ensure there is no accidental breeding.

If done too early the growth of your dog can be affected and if done too late, their internal organs can be affected as they are invasive procedures.

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois Size

The German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois have fairly similar heights, but some German Shepherds can be slightly taller.

German Shepherds are heavier because they have more muscle mass, but the Belgian Malinois is leaner.

On average, the height of a male German Shepherd is between 24 and 26 inches and weighs between 65 and 90 pounds while their female counterpart weighs between 50 and 70 pounds with a height of between 22 and 24 inches.

On the other hand, the weight of a male Belgian Malinois ranges from 60 to 80 pounds with a height of between 24 and 26 inches while the females weigh between 40 and 60 pounds with a height of around 22 to 24 inches.

Factors That Affect Belgian Malinois Growth 

The following factors can affect the growth of your Belgian Malinois:

Genetics & Gender

Genetics is an obvious factor that impacts the size of any dog including a Belgian Malinois. This means that your dog has a high chance of growing to be the same size as the parents.

That is why you should get a puppy from a reputable breeder as it will allow you to see the parents and get an idea of how big the puppy will get.

For most Belgian Malinois, the males are taller and larger than females.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition during puppyhood will ensure that your puppy grows to their full size when they reach adulthood.

Food has a huge impact on the growth of a dog, that is why you should feed them a complete and balanced diet that has all the necessary nutrients to help them in their development.

Avoid feeding your dog low-quality foods or harmful human food. Seek help from your vet for diet recommendations that is suitable for your dog.

Physical Activity & Health

Belgian Malinois are active and alert dogs, and they need more training and exercise to stay active and match the numbers on their growth chart.

If you do not allow them to run around, their bone and joint development can be affected, and they could be overweight which may lead to other health issues such as obesity.

There are health conditions that may affect the growth of your Belgian Malinois such as ringworms as they absorb the dog’s nutrients which slows down their growth.

How Much to Feed a Growing Belgian Malinois Puppy?

The amount of food that you feed your Belgian Malinois depends on their size, age, and activity level. Puppies need more nutrients than adult dogs because they are still developing and growing.

The amount of food will start from one cup every day and as your puppy grow, the amount goes as high as 3 cups per day.

Since the stomach of puppies is smaller than adult dogs, they often get hungrier. That is why they should be fed four times a day to ensure they get enough calories to remain healthy and active.

In addition to their daily food, you should feed them multivitamins, chewable snacks, and dietary supplements to help them grow healthy and strong.

If you have any concerns about the diet of your Belgian Malinois, contact your vet.

What Are the Most Common Conditions to Be Aware of In Growing Belgian Malinois Puppies?

Naturally, Belgian Malinois are lean, muscular, and strong, but some conditions can affect them as they are growing which could impact their final size. They include bloat, obesity, and thyroid disease.

Belgian Malinois are vulnerable to obesity which is why you should aim at keeping them at a healthy weight or they will suffer from metabolic dysregulation, joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart disease.

Bloat, also known as Volvulus or Gastric Dilation is another condition that affects Belgian Malinois because they have a narrow and deep chest.

Bloating is a severe condition and can be fatal if it is not treated as it can cut off the supply of blood to important organs in the body.

Signs of bloat include lethargy, retching, and distended abdomen, and you should take your dog to the vet if you see any of these signs.

Thyroid disease is the final condition to be aware of and this is where the dog does not produce enough thyroid hormone which leads to weight gain, growth issues, general lethargy, and behavioral changes.

Do Belgian Malinois Experience Growing Pain?

Since Belgian Malinois is a large breed, they are likely to experience growing pains due to some orthopedic issues such as osteochondrosis and hip dysplasia.

These conditions make your puppy reluctant in doing daily activities, limp and experience abnormal gait.

If your puppy suffers from these conditions, they may show signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy, swelling, pain, and heat around affected areas. If your puppy shows these signs, take them to the vet for medical assistance.

What To Do If My Belgian Malinois Is Not the Right Weight?

If your Belgian Malinois is overweight or underweight, then they are not in the ideal weight for their specific age category.

If you notice that the weight of your dog has changed, you should take them to the vet for a medical check-up as there could be an underlying condition causing the changes.

If your Belgian Malinois is underweight, you can help them gain weight at home by increasing their food portions and adding supplements to their food to help them absorb the necessary nutrients.

If your Belgian Malinois is overweight, they can lose the weight at home with your help through exercise and diet.

With exercise, you can increase the level of their physical activity for example going for more walks and introducing jogging and swimming to their routine.

With diet, you should reduce the food portions, feed them balanced and complete meals, and eliminate treats or switch them with fresh vegetables and fruits.

You should always seek your vet’s help when helping your dog to lose or gain weight.

How To Properly Weight A Measure My Belgian Malinois?

Monitoring the weight of your Belgian Malinois is essential in ensuring that they maintain a healthy weight throughout their life.

It is recommended that you weigh your dog twice a year, however, if they suffer from an underlying condition that affects their weight, you should weigh them more often with the advice of your vet.

You can weigh your Belgian Malinois at home using your bathroom scale using the following steps:

• Ensure that the scale is reading zero.
• Pick up your dog and hold them tight in your arms so that they do not fall.
• Step on the scale and record the number.
• Step out of the scale, put your dog down and give them a treat.
• Step on the scale and weigh yourself.
• Subtract your weight from the weight of you holding your dog. The answer is your dog’s weight.

Belgian Malinois Genetics and Common Health Problems

Belgian Malinois is an intelligent dog breed that stands out for their great physical endurance and excellent health. However, there are genetic health conditions that they are predisposed to as a breed. They include the following:

Hip Dysplasia – this is a hereditary disease that affects the bone structure where the hip joint does not fit properly into the socket.

It can be painful and causes lameness in dogs and this affects their daily activities such as walking and even sitting down.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy – this is a degenerative disease that appears gradually and progressively in dogs.

This disease causes different issues such as vision problems (daytime blindness and difficulty perceiving moving objects), pupillary dilation (the eye’s inability to respond to light), and cataracts (degeneration of the retina).

Retinal Dysplasia – this is the progressive deterioration of the visual capacity of the dog’s eyes because of the retina having an abnormal development.

Other causes of retinal dysplasia include the herpes virus, exposure to certain toxins, trauma to the eye, and excessive solar radiation.

Final Words

Typically, Belgian Malinois are muscular and lean and since they have high exercise and energy needs, you need enough space to keep them as a pet.

If you have a small space like an apartment, it can be hard to own and take care of one.

They need to be kept busy, and with proper socialization and training, they are great companions to everyone including kids and other pets.

They are known to be affectionate breed and not aggressive.