The Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix is the cross that results from breeding an American Pitbull Terrier with a Belgian Malinois Mix. Not only are these dogs cute and affectionate companions, but they also excel in confidence and versatility. Both Pitbull and Mals are people-oriented and love being part of any activity. You can have the best traits of both parents in one with a designer dog.
Though quite uncommon since it is a fairly new breed, you may find few Pitbull Mals at a shelter or rescue, and also, some breeders occasionally offer them. It is not yet registered with the American Kennel Club.
Let’s take a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of this breed. We’ll give you a comprehensive idea about the physical characteristics, temperament, health problems, socialization, training, exercise needs, and grooming.
Breed Origin of Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix
Since there’s not a lot of information about this breed, we could tell that it’s quite a new breed without any breed standard. But it’s safe to say that these pups will have characteristics that are attributable to both parents. Hence, knowing the history of the parent breeds can give you tangible information about what sort of pooch you could expect.
Where Does The American Pitbull Terrier Come From?
With ancestry hailing from an isle in England, the American Pitbull Terrier is one with a dogfighting past. They were bred from some shepherd dogs that participated in the inhumane sport of bull and bear-baiting in the 19th century. The spectators of this sport were mainly people of the lower class that saw it as an entertaining means of relieving themselves of life’s distress.
In 1835, bull and bear-baiting became prohibited following the legislation of Cruelty to Animal Act by the UK Parliament.
Shortly afterward, the attention of the general public deviated to ratting and dog fighting. These sheepdogs were mixed with Terriers to create a more energetic and tenacious dog. However, some measures were taken to prevent human-biting, thereby protecting the handlers of these dogs.
When immigrants traveled with their belongings to the United States, they were accompanied by their Pitbulls. In America, Pitbulls were less known for their dogfighting prowess but embraced as all-around dogs. They have found a place in the hearts of many families, loved by children and cherished as hard-working farm dogs.
Where Does The Belgian Malinois Come From?
Having a close resemblance to the German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, is truly a distinct dog breed developed in Belgian Malines, with an origin that goes back to the late 1800s. At this time, all the varieties of Belgian sheepherding dogs were grouped as one breed, known as the Chiens de Berger Belge.
It was not until 1901 were the Mals labeled as a breed of their own after a study carried out by Professor Reul on various Belgian sheepdogs.
In 1911, the importation of Mals into America began and they continued to thrive in number and popularity until the dawn of world war 2, which called a halt on European import of this breed. Despite the war jeopardizing the survival of the Belgian Malinois, American troops finally returned from Europe with their Mals, paving a way for the success of this breed.
The Belgian Malinois was finally recognized and placed under the working group by the AKC in 1959. In recent times, this strong, adaptable and hardworking breed piqued the interest of many, and is now deployed by the military or as police dogs in drug detection, suspect apprehension, and search and rescue. They are, nevertheless, affectionate and make excellent family pets.
Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix Temperament, Training and Socialization
While canine temperaments are linked to genetics, they can be equally influenced by environmental factors such as socialization, training, diet, temperature, exercise, and more. As in every mixed breed, be ready for a wildcard if you decide to have a Pitbull Mal mix. You’ll get a better grasp of your pup’s personality by looking at his littermates, parents, and relatives.
The Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix is a confident, alert, and energetic breed that is affectionate and highly devoted to his humans. He excels as a human companion and derives happiness from engaging in family activities. However, patience and consistent discipline is required to bring the best out of this astonishing breed.
As a first-time owner, the Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix may be a hassle to handle since they are intense and can become rambunctious if not properly cared for. Flee from this breed if you are not willing to spend time socializing, training, and bonding with them. They may pick up unfavorable habits and become problematic when abandoned or neglected.
Both the Pitbull and Mals have great watchdog abilities and are protective of their family, but you can only get an excellent guard dog if your pup takes after the Mal traits. Pitbulls are more welcoming and show no aloofness towards strangers like Mals.
The Pitbull Mal mix is not the type of dog that can be confined to an apartment or living space. They have so much stored energy to burn off and would need a large outdoor area to roam and play. More than leisurely walks or strolls is needed to meet the exercise needs of this pooch. A good jog, fetch, frisbee, agility, or tug of war with praise afterward will suffice.
If you are looking for a sharp pooch with the best brain, look no further from a Pitbull Mal mix. He is intelligent and has great enthusiasm to learn. He’ll thrive on accomplishing tasks and positive reinforcement. Make sure your pooch receives training right from puppyhood since it’s the best time for learning and bonding with their humans.
The importance of early socialization cannot be overemphasized. It’ll play a big role in how your dog interacts and responds to different situations. At a young age, try to expose him to all sorts of people, sights, and environment and you’ll be rewarded with a well-rounded pooch.
Also Read: Pitbull Cocker Spaniel Mix: A Fun, Fast and Feisty Friend
Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix Looks and Aesthetics
As is common with designer dogs, you should expect appearance to vary to a great extent. It’s possible that your Pitbull Mal mix will look more like the Pitbull or more like the Belgian Malinois or just a fair mix of both appearances.
The Pitbull is built with a compact and sturdy body. Their brick-like head and thick muscular neck give them a unique appearance. Between the cheek and jaw is broad and the eyes are almond-shaped.
On the other hand, Mals have a square lean build with elegant stride. Black masks and ears are common patterns in the breed. They have an alert expression with a head carriage described as proud. Ears are erect and the tail is often smooth.
The Pitbull Mal Mix is going to be either single-coated like the Pitbull or double-coated like the Belgian Malinois. Your pup’s coat may come in different color variations such as black, white, blue, brown, tan, or fawn as in Pitbulls or just retain any shade from fawn to mahogany as seen in the Mals.
How Big Does A Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix Get? (Size, Height, and Weight)
The easiest approach to obtain a better idea or potentially make an educated guess about the Pitbull Mal adult size is to look at the parents’ measurements closely
The Pitbull Mals will come out as a well-muscled, proportionate, medium-sized dog so you don’t have to be worried about your pooch getting too large. You can expect a full-grown Pit Mal mix to measure as high as 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 35 to 70 pounds. Also, males tend to be larger than females.
Although the Pitbull Mals is a breed with fairly average size, they are energetic and will require a large space to room and play just like their larger counterparts.
Health Problems Of Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix
Pitbull cross Belgian Malinois have a life expectancy of 9 to 14 years and are generally healthy dogs. With proper care, nutrition, and exercise, the lifespan of these sturdy dogs may be prolonged. Most dog people may agree that crossbreeding produces healthier offspring with longevity due to a widened gene pool yet not everyone is willing to embrace the randomness of a mixed breed.
Even as a designer dog, the Pitbull Mal mix will inherit some genetic health problems from the parent breeds. It’s wise to know the common health concerns your pup could be met with and devise preventive measures. These are some issues you need to be aware of:
- Hip and elbow dysplasias
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Thyroid disease
- Cataract
- Allergies
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Congenital Heart Defects.
If you are getting your dog from a breeder, make sure he is reputable and can provide you with the necessary health clearances. However, adopting is best if you find one of these lovely pups in a shelter. You’ll be surprised, their fosters can give you uncannily accurate answers about their health and personality.
A good number of other genetic health issues occur in the Pitbull Mals but are highly unlikely, and some disappear after puppyhood. You can considerably reduce the risk of dysplasias in your dog by giving him healthy diets and preventing obesity.
Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix Diet, Grooming and Routine Care
With an energetic and hardworking breed like Pit Mal mix, a proper diet is highly essential for their well-being. Provide him with a high-quality diet, vitamins, and healthy treats, and make sure he doesn’t eat human food.
Maintaining the Pitbull Mal coat requires minimal effort and is a relatively simple task. Both Pitbull and Malinois often shed moderately except during the fall and winter shedding season, when shedding is usually excessive. Normally, weekly brushing is sufficient for a Pitbull Mal mix but in the shedding season, you could become a daily routine.
Only occasional bathing with a dog shampoo is required for a healthy, odorless, and shiny coat. An exception is when your pooch gets his fur stained or messed up. Pay attention to your dog’s nails to know when it’s time for trimming. You’ll often hear the toenails click when your dog walks as soon as he touches the ground.
To prevent tartar buildup and bacterial growth, it’s advisable to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week. Ear cleaning from time to time is also important. On a final note, always examine your dog’s body at home. Look out for rashes, injury, bumps, redness, weight change, lethargy, and more.
Also Read: The Only Pitbull Vizsla Mix Guide You’ll Ever Need
Is Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix The Right Dog For You?
There is a lot to consider when deciding whether or not the Pitbull Mal mix would be perfect for you or your household.
To begin with, the fun-loving and social nature of the Pitbull Mals is not without an overbearing streak which may pose great difficulties, especially for first-time owners. They need a leader who is firm, disciplined, and consistent to harness their hidden potentials. If you are not ready to spare your time for this affectionate pooch, they may not be suited for you.
The Pitbull Belgian Malinois Mix is rather playful and will never settle for less. They can’t tolerate being locked up in an apartment. Their excess energy can only be depleted if they have enough room to play and exercise. Constant mental and physical stimulation will help improve your dog’s health. But, truly you’ll be rewarded with a confident, loyal, and hardworking companion.
It’s a matter of luck whether they’ll be a good guard dog because of the Pitbull’s influence, but you’ll certainly have a watchful pooch who is protective of his family. They encompass many sought-after qualities that make them lovely human companions. Now, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you.
