You have figured out that you want a large guard dog, but wait… is it enough?
Obviously NOT!
You might have asked your friends, dug through pet websites, and maybe watched some YouTube videos to find the best dog. Honestly, it is confusing, but it gets even worse when you are stuck between two dogs.
Belgian Malinois and Rottweiler are both active, intelligent and protective dog breeds, but still they are different. Yes, they differ in their behavior, training and love toward kids, so you can’t really take a risk.
Rottweller is the seventh, whereas the Malinois is ranked the 32nd most famous dog in the United States, AKC explains. So yeah, there is no way they are alike.
But if you are confused and overwhelmed with all the crazy information out there, take a deep breath. And you are in the right place because this guide has everything you need to know about these purebred dogs before you regret buying one.
Must‑Know Comparisons: Belgian Malinois vs. Rottweiler Dog Breeds
Size & Build Differences
Rottweiler and Malinois have almost the same height of 22-28 and 22-27 inches, respectively, but they differ in their weight. Rotties are a bit heavier, 85-135 pounds, compared to 55-75 pounds for the Belgian Malinois dogs.
Most people underestimate the Rottweiler, saying they are bulky, but they are actually missing the heavy-boned, deep-chested and muscular dog. They have dropped ears and a curled tail like a half moon.
As far as the Malinois dogs are concerned, you can tell simply by looking at their athletic body, erect ears, and fox-like heads. They have a square proportion and an even, deep chest, but it’s not that prominent.
Malinois were developed in Belgium, and Rottweilers were produced in Germany for herding flocks, so you can guess where they got their agility and strength.
A large dog means a lazy and bulky pet, but these dogs are clearly busting this myth. With that said, you cannot simply choose based on looks, so stick with me and read to find out more about your favourite puppy.
Temperament & Personality
People often think the Rottweiler is aggressive because that’s what the media has fed us so far, but that’s not true.
Yes, they have a higher bite force of 328 PSI, which is almost double that of the Malinois 200 PSI. But they do not bite until they sense something fishy. Rottweilers are super-friendly, intelligent, and love to play with small children and even strangers.
Whereas Belgian Malinois is known for its protective, loyal and stubborn nature. These fearless dogs love their owners and do not like strangers at all. They do or die to protect their loved ones, and this gets risky sometimes.
Belgian Malinois have a dominating personality, and this habit irritates most of the pet owners. But a Rottweiler follows you no matter where you go, just like a kid.
It seems no one ever told Rotties how large they are, and neither did they realize, so they jump into your lap like a puppy to cuddle.
Rottweilers have strong guarding instincts because they have a history of search and rescue at Oklahoma and World Trade Centre sites.
AKC explains that the Belgian Malinois has also served as a military and police dog in K-9s and even has a life-size bronze in Fayetteville, North Carolina. So you can say it’s a sign of their loyalty. Yes, they both are working dogs, but they are not suitable for every home. You have to choose the one that meets your lifestyle.
The Rottweiler is the best for families with children due to its calm and affectionate nature. But the Belgian Malinois, with an aggressive and territorial nature, is only suitable for guarding property or herds.
Training & Intelligence
Belgian Malinois and Rottweiler are intelligent, confident and strong-willed dogs. Mal requires more intense training of 2 hours than rotties. And if you are ignoring this, get ready for couch jumps and broken plates in the kitchen.
Although they both are stubborn, the Malinois is more likely to show destructive behaviour. They are eager to please humans, and honestly, this makes them easy to train.
Sometimes they don’t listen to owners and do whatever they want, and that’s concerning. So you can practice positive reinforcement by rewarding the dog with a treat. And we all know how much they love them.
PetMD notes that Rottweilers are prone to obesity if they lie all day, and they also have a risk of arthritis, so you can’t really afford to miss exercise.
You don’t have to teach these dogs every single day because they are independent thinkers and have innate protective instincts. But if you want them to behave well with kids and even toward strangers, focus on early socialization.
Honestly, introducing them to your family and other animals shapes their behaviour. But still, Rottweiler and Belgian Malinois are not recommended to first-time owners because of their mouthy nature and high training needs. So they require experienced and active trainers.
Pet Rottweiler and Belgian Malinois only when you have enough time to spend on walks. Rottie doesn’t like to live and eat outside the home, ARC shares.
Energy Level
Belgian Malinois have high to very high energy levels compared to the low to medium energy of the Rottweiler. They both run at a high speed of 35 MPH and 22 MPH, so you can imagine how active they would be.
They are always in search of something crazy for mental stimulation and love to play chasing, fetching and tug of war. So yes, they will often win against you.
Mal and Rotties roam around the home and lift up your mood with their mischievous activities. You cannot sit even for an hour straight if they are around you.
To be honest, only kids can meet their high energy levels because most of the people get tired after 10-20 minutes.
Coat & Grooming
Most of the time, this factor determines whether you are going to pet that specific dog or not.
Belgian Malinois have a furry coat that sheds a lot, but Rottweiler have a low-shedding coat, so you don’t have to brush them daily.
Rotties are a great choice if you are allergic to animal fur or don’t have enough time for Mal grooming.
Malinois do not drool (low), but the rotties are more likely to drool when happy or see you after hours. So yeah, get ready for that unconditional love if you are opting for the Rottweiler.
Conclusion
Choosing a pet is challenging, but it becomes easy to decide if you have clear directions in your mind. What type of dog do you want and why?
Belgian Malinois is a strong, stubborn, and aggressive dog breed with protective instincts toward owners. And Rottweiler is powerful and opposite with a friendly and loving vibe.
Rottweiler’s dog has a built-in instinct to protect first, but Mal has the prey drive and strict territorial desires, so you can tell which one is the best choice for your home.
Early socialization and training are important for both to shape their behavior but Malinois are designed to guard property and herds only. Mal dogs also require grooming, intense training and cannot live in an apartment, but a Rottweiler does not have these tantrums.
