The Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-wah), first bred around the town of Malines in the northwestern region of Belgium, is one of four closely related breeds of Belgian herding dogs. In some countries, the Malinois is classified together with the Tervuren, Laekenois, and Belgian Shepherd (aka Groenendael) as one breed collectively known as the Belgian Sheepdog. In America, the Malinois has been registered as a separate breed since 1959. It bears similarities to the German Shepherd Dog but has a different head, and is longer-legged and finer-boned, than the better-known German dog.
Mal has long been known as an unrivaled cattle herder in his homeland. They were first bred by dog lovers who were primarily concerned with producing dogs with a hard-working character and who ignored current trends and the wishes of pet owners. This emphasis on performance makes Mal the dog of choice for Belgian sheep herders and cattle breeders.
In 1911, Mal was first brought to America. They thrived here until the outbreak of World War II which ended imports of European breeding livestock. The breed languished in the postwar years until the early 1960s, when Mal admirers began the process of repopulating its population in America.
Mal Dogs are still considered herders of all types of livestock, but their versatility and high work ethic have opened up career opportunities in many other jobs and activities. They are highly sought after as police and military dogs. They served so well that a memorial to military dogs in Fayetteville, North Carolina, features a life-size bronze statue of a Belgian Malinois.