If you’re a dog owner curious about the size of a Belgian Malinois at various ages, this comprehensive guide has you covered. We’ll break down the Belgian Malinois size and weight from puppyhood to adulthood, including an easy-to-follow weight chart, so you know what to expect as your Malinois grows. When deciding what dog breed to own, size can play a crucial role. So, if you live in the apartment or some smaller house, knowing how big Belgian Malinois can get is important.
Belgian Malinois Size Overview (Height & Weight)
A fully-grown Belgian Malinois is considered a medium-large breed in terms of stature. In adulthood, males typically stand about 24–26 inches (61–66 cm) tall at the shoulder, while females reach around 22–24 inches (56–61 cm). When it comes to weight, adult males usually weigh between 60–80 pounds, whereas females weigh roughly 40–60 pounds.
This means that the average weight of a Belgian Malinois falls somewhere in the middle of those ranges – often around 60 pounds give or take, depending on sex and individual genetics. In other words, a healthy adult Malinois has an average Belgian Malinois weight that is solid but not as heavy as some larger breeds.
The AKC describes Malinois dogs as well-muscled, but generally more elegant and lighter on its feet than its close relative, the German Shepherd. Despite being strong and sturdy, Malinois are not massive or bulky. They tend to be lean, athletic dogs.
A lot of people are actually surprised when they see a Belgian Malinois in person — they’re not as big as you might expect! These dogs are more on the medium side, with a lean, muscular build that usually lands between 50 and 70 pounds. Their weight fits perfectly on an athletic, well-balanced frame built for endurance and agility.
Keep in mind that males and females can differ a bit in size. Males tend to be a little taller and heavier, while females are generally smaller and lighter. Still, both are incredibly strong, fast, and athletic. So no matter which one you have, you’re getting a compact, powerful dog. Now, let’s take a look at how these pups grow from tiny furballs into full-sized adults.
Belgian Malinois Growth Chart by Age (Puppy to Adult)
Belgian Malinois puppies grow rapidly in their first year, shooting up in height and putting on weight at a swift pace. Below, we’ll go through the life stages of a Malinois and provide a simple Belgian Malinois weight chart with typical ranges. Keep in mind that individual dogs may grow at slightly different rates, but these figures give a good general idea.
Puppy Stage (0–6 Months)
- Newborns: At birth, Malinois puppies are tiny (only a few pounds). A newborn Belgian Malinois might weigh roughly *3–9 pounds (1.4–4.1 kg). In their first weeks, they are completely dependent on their mother.
Fun fact: the average litter size for Belgian Malinois is about 6 to 10 puppies, so a Malinois mom usually has her paws full with a bunch of little ones!
- 3 Months (12 Weeks): By the time a Malinois puppy is three months old, growth is in full swing. At 12 weeks, they typically weigh somewhere around 15–22 lbs (7–10 kg) and stand ~12 inches tall at the shoulder. They’re still small compared to an adult, but you’ll notice they’ve gained strength and size very fast since birth.
- 6 Months: Around the half-year mark, Belgian Malinois pups often weigh about 40–50 pounds (18–23 kg). By 6 months old, many Malinois are already nearing adult height, perhaps 18–20+ inches tall at the shoulder. They may look a bit gangly or uncoordinated at this stage – think long legs and big paws that they haven’t quite grown into yet This “awkward teenager” phase is normal and just means there’s more growth to come.
During the puppy stage, you’ll notice bursts of growth (aka growth spurts). One month your pup might seem relatively small, and a month later they’ve suddenly shot up in size. Belgian Malinois puppies can gain several pounds per week when young. By 4–6 months, most Malinois pups have reached roughly half to two-thirds of their adult weight. It’s crucial during this time to feed a balanced puppy diet to support healthy development (and don’t be shocked when your little pup outgrows their collar or crate – it happens fast!).
Adolescent Stage (6–12 Months)
From 6 months to 1 year, your Malinois enters adolescence – they’re not quite a tiny pup anymore, but not fully filled out as an adult either. This is the stage where they approach their adult size:
- 9 Months: At around 9 months old, many Belgian Malinois are 50–65 lbs and getting close to their full height. Both male and female adolescents might be in this weight range (males likely on the higher end, females on the lower). They might stand roughly 22–24 inches tall at 9–10 months – basically as tall as they’ll ever be, or maybe an inch shy. It’s often said that dogs reach their full height before their full weight, and Malinois are no exception.
- 12 Months (1 Year): By the one-year birthday, a Belgian Malinois is usually very close to adult size. Many 12-month-old Malinois weigh in the ballpark of 60–70+ pounds. Males might be closer to 70–75 lbs if they’re going to be big, while females might be around 50–60 lbs at this age. On average, by 12 months a Malinois has reached about 90% of its adult weight. In terms of height, most are at full adult height by now (approximately 22–26 inches depending on gender). So essentially, that cute little puppy is now a lanky young adult dog!
It’s worth noting that while a 1-year-old Malinois looks adult-sized, they often still have a bit of filling out to do. Between 12 and 18 months, they continue to build muscle and may gain a few more pounds. During this adolescent period, proper nutrition and exercise are important. Malinois are high-energy dogs that burn a lot of calories, so make sure they’re getting quality food to support their growth without overfeeding (you want strong muscles, not an overweight pup).
Adulthood (18–24 Months and Beyond)
Most Belgian Malinois reach their full adult size by around 18 months to 2 years old. After their first birthday, growth slows down considerably:
- 18 Months: By a year and a half, a Malinois has typically stopped growing in height (their legs and frame are fully developed). However, they may still be filling out in weight, gaining a bit more muscle mass. For example, an 18-month-old male might go from 70 lbs in one year to about 75–80 lbs by this time as he gains muscle and bulk, whereas a female might go from 55 lbs to around 60–65 lbs. This is why some Malinois look a bit skinny at one year old – they often bulk up over the next 6 months with proper exercise.
- 24 Months (2 Years): By the two-year mark, your Belgian Malinois should be at full maturity. At this point, adult females usually settle around 40–60 pounds, and males around 60–80 pounds as mentioned earlier. Their height will remain in that 22–26 inch range. In short, two-year-old Malinois are as big as they’re going to get in terms of frame. Any further weight changes in older years are generally due to conditioning (muscle vs. fat) rather than growth.
After two years, Malinois will not get any taller, and you shouldn’t see significant weight increases unless the dog becomes overweight. In fact, staying lean is healthier. These dogs are built for agility and working endurance, so a fit Malinois is typically on the lighter side of the range rather than the heavier. Be mindful of diet and exercise as your dog enters middle age and senior years. You may need to adjust food intake to prevent them from gaining excess weight once their metabolism slows down. Read our blog post about choosing the best Belgian Malinois diet and how to feed it through different life stages.
Male vs Female Belgian Malinois Size Differences
When discussing Belgian Malinois average weight, it helps to distinguish between males and females, as there is a notable difference. Male Belgian Malinois tend to be larger and heavier than females once fully grown. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Adult Males: Typically 60–80 lbs in weight, standing about 24–26 inches tall at the shoulder. A big male on the upper end might weigh around 75–80 pounds of lean muscle.
- Adult Females: Generally 40–60 lbs in weight, with height around 22–24 inches at the shoulder. An average female Malinois might be ~50 pounds, making her a bit lighter on her feet compared to a male.
It’s also been observed that male Malinois might continue to fill out a bit longer than females. By around 18 months, most females have reached their adult shape and weight. Males might pack on muscle up till 2 years old. However, beyond these averages, remember there’s natural variation.
Some female Malinois can be at the higher end (near 60 lbs) and some males at the lower end (~60 lbs) depending on genetics and diet. If you have a female Belgian Malinois, don’t be surprised if she’s significantly smaller than a male from the same litter. Sexual dimorphism (size difference between sexes) is normal in this breed.
In terms of personality and capability, size doesn’t make much difference – both males and females are athletic, high-energy dogs. But if you’re planning things like crate size for your Belgian Malinois or buying a harness, you’ll account for a bigger chest and neck girth in males versus a sleeker frame in females.
German Shepherd vs. Belgian Malinois Size Comparison
It’s very common to compare the Belgian Malinois with the German Shepherd – not only do they look somewhat similar (and both excel as working dogs), but their size ranges overlap. However, German Shepherds are on average a bit larger and heavier than Malinois. According to breed standards and experts:
- German Shepherd (GSD) Males: ~65–90 lbs in weight, standing 24–26 inches tall at the shoulder.
- German Shepherd Females: ~50–70 lbs, height around 22–24 inches.
- Belgian Malinois Males: ~60–80 lbs, height 24–26 inches.
- Belgian Malinois Females: ~40–60 lbs, height 22–24 inches.
German Shepherds are approximately 10% larger in weight than Belgian Malinois, even though height is equal. So if size is a deciding factor for you, know that Malinois are slightly more compact on average.
Aside from weight, another difference is proportion. German Shepherds have a longer body length relative to height (giving them a longer back), while Malinois have a more square build (length and height nearly equal). This doesn’t change their weight much but does affect appearance and movement.
Conclusion
Belgian Malinois might not be the biggest dogs around, but they sure pack a ton of power and agility into their medium-large frames. From a tiny 3-pound pup to a strong, athletic 60-pound adult, watching a Malinois grow up is seriously impressive.
By the time they hit their first birthday, most Malinois are close to their full height and have put on most of their adult weight. Around two years old, they’re fully grown and ready to take on anything. Their size is just right for the jobs they’re famous for—herding, protection work, agility, or just keeping up with you on a hike. They’re strong enough to be tough, yet compact enough to stay lightning-fast.
Think of the Belgian Malinois weight chart as a handy reference, not a hard rule. Just like people, some dogs are naturally a bit heavier or lighter. The main goal is to keep your Malinois fit, active, and happy—with plenty of exercise to match their high-energy nature. That’s how their weight will stay right where it needs to be.
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