Belgian Malinois

American  

[mal-uhn-wah] / ˌmæl ənˈwɑ /

noun

1. one of a Belgian breed of medium-sized dogs having a short coat, tan to dark brown in color, a black mask, and erect ears, bred originally as a sheepherding dog.

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Etymology

Origin of Belgian Malinois

1965–70; < French malinois pertaining to Malines

Example Sentences

The decision turned on a technicality: Police demanded the surrender of four German shepherds; the disputed dogs are, in fact, one Dutch shepherd and three Belgian Malinois.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

Laura Mackenzie-Hawkins, from Greater Manchester, has four wolf-dogs and one Belgian Malinois, who she said she had rescued from a young couple living in a second-floor flat.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

A friend of mine who lives in upstate New York keeps acquiring Belgian Malinois that she trains for editorial shoots and agility competitions.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

Cavalcante began to crawl through heavy underbrush to try to escape, prompting the Customs and Border Patrol team to release a search dog — either a shepherd or a Belgian Malinois — to pursue him.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 13, 2023

Sir was a 4½-year-old Belgian Malinois who joined the force in March 2022, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023