Belgian Malinois vs Rottweiler
Side by side
Belgian Malinois
Rottweiler
Adult weight
Males 25–30 kg (55–66 lb); females 20–25 kg (44–55 lb)1
Males 43–54 kg (95–119 lb); females 37–46.4 kg (82–102 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 5,321, middle 50%)2
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
A moderate amount
Class
Working
Watchdog
Which suits you
Size
The Rottweiler is much larger: about 45 kg (99 lb) as an adult, against 25 kg (55 lb) for the Belgian Malinois.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Belgian Malinois lives longer: a median of 12 years, against 10.6 for the Rottweiler.
Grooming
The Rottweiler needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Belgian Malinois needs a brush once a week.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Belgian Malinois, and a moderate amount with the Rottweiler.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Belgian Malinois: likes its own space; Rottweiler: a lap or leaning dog) and on sensitivity (Belgian Malinois: needs a calm, predictable home; Rottweiler: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Belgian Malinois
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Medium
In temperament it is intense, quick and highly responsive, devoted to its handler and often reserved with strangers.
Rottweiler
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
By temperament the Rottweiler is calm, self-assured and watchful. It is devoted to its own household but reserved with strangers.
Breed traits
Day to day
Belgian Malinois
Rottweiler
Activity
Differs
Needs lots of exercise
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Needs daily brain work
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Belgian Malinois
Rottweiler
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Keen to work with you
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Belgian Malinois
Rottweiler
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Rottweiler grows to the heavier adult, about 46 kg against the Belgian Malinois's 25 kg.
Belgian Malinois
Rottweiler
More comparisons
Compare the Belgian Malinois with
Sources
- 1
- 2VetCompass UK. Primary-care veterinary records. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 9Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 10American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 11
Parts of this page were written by AI ·