Australian Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois

An Australian Shepherd
Photo: bantam10
A Belgian Malinois
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden

Side by side

Australian Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Adult weight
Males 23–29 kg (50–65 lb); females 18–25 kg (40–55 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 25–30 kg (55–66 lb); females 20–25 kg (44–55 lb)2
Height
Males 50.8–58.4 cm; females 45.7–53.3 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 60–66 cm; females 56–62 cm2
Lifespan
Median 13.7 years3
Median 12 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Sheepdogs & cattledogs5
Sheepdogs & cattledogs2
Coat
Coat of medium length5
Short coat2
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
A brush once a week
Exercise
Plenty
Class
Sport
Working

Which suits you

Lifespan
In UK vet records the Australian Shepherd lives longer: a median of 13.7 years, against 12 for the Belgian Malinois.
Grooming
The Australian Shepherd needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Belgian Malinois needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Australian Shepherd: affectionate on its own terms; Belgian Malinois: likes its own space) and on sensitivity (Australian Shepherd: average; Belgian Malinois: needs a calm, predictable home).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 24 kg (52 lb) for the Australian Shepherd and 25 kg (55 lb) for the Belgian Malinois.
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: keen to work with you.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Australian Shepherd
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Medium

In temperament the Australian Shepherd is quick to learn, energetic and keen to have a job, and it may be reserved with strangers while devoted to its own people.

Belgian Malinois
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Medium

In temperament it is intense, quick and highly responsive, devoted to its handler and often reserved with strangers.

The Australian Shepherd page →The Belgian Malinois page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Keen to work with you
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour6. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home7,8.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 24 kg.
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
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01020302m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Australian Shepherd with
Belgian Malinois vs German ShepherdAustralian Shepherd vs Miniature American ShepherdAustralian Shepherd vs Border CollieAustralian Cattle Dog vs Australian ShepherdBelgian Malinois vs Doberman PinscherAustralian Shepherd vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·