Keeping your Malinois looking sharp isn’t as daunting as it might seem. In fact, when it comes to Belgian Malinois grooming, these dogs are often considered a “wash-and-wear” breed with relatively low maintenance needs. But low-maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. Belgian Malinois do shed quite a bit and still need a consistent grooming routine to stay healthy.
This guide will walk you through the grooming routine of a Belgian Malinois, including how often to brush and bathe them, whether they need haircuts, and tips for ears, paws, nails, and more.
Understanding the Belgian Malinois Coat & Grooming Needs
Belgian Malinois have a short double coat that is weather-resistant and offers protection from the elements. This double-layer coat consists of a dense, soft undercoat and a slightly harsher outer coat. Thanks to this coat type, the Belgian Malinois’ grooming needs are moderate – they don’t require elaborate haircuts or daily salon trips, but they do shed year-round and especially heavily during seasonal transitions. You’ll likely notice “shedding season” in spring and fall when your Malinois blows coat to adjust to the changing temperatures. During those times, you may find tufts of fur around the house and will need to step up the brushing frequency.
On the bright side, Belgian Malinois do not inherently smell bad as a breed. A healthy, well-groomed Malinois usually has only a light “doggy” odor. If your Mal does develop an unpleasant smell, it could be due to an underlying issue. You can read more about that in our post Do Belgian Malinois Smell Bad?. Generally, keeping up with basic grooming (especially brushing and occasional baths) will ensure your Malinois stays fresh and odor-free.
Belgian Malinois grooming needs aren’t overly demanding. They don’t require excessive grooming, but they do shed, so they need to be brushed consistently.
Regular brushing not only removes dead hair but also keeps their coat looking tidy and distributes natural oils for skin health. Unlike some high-maintenance breeds, a Malinois’s coat will look great with routine care and without any fancy styling.
Key Coat Features of the Belgian Malinois
Their fur is short and lies flat, with slightly longer hair around the neck, tail, and back of the thighs (forming a subtle “ruff”)wahlusa.com. The coat’s texture naturally repels dirt and water to an extent, which means mud and debris often brush out easily once dried. This is good news for owners – your Malinois might get dirty during an adventure, but a quick brushing after the mud dries usually gets them clean again. Still, baths are needed once in a while (more on that later).
How Often Should a Belgian Malinois Be Groomed?
One of the most common questions new Mal owners ask is how frequently they should groom their dog. The answer: regularly, but not obsessively. A Belgian Malinois should have certain grooming tasks done on a consistent schedule:
Brushing
Aim to brush your Malinois at least once a week under normal circumstances. During heavy shedding periods (spring and fall), you may want to brush daily or every couple of days to keep the fur tumbleweeds under control. To keep your house clean and tidy, we recommend you to perform coat brushing outside. Choose your yard or some other open space that is quiet. One of the best option to pick up all the dead hair from your Malawa dog is the VacuGroom.
With the help of this product, your home will stay clean and tidy. The vacuum is easy to use, and its container ensures that all the grooming hair ends up inside it instead of on your furniture. Regular brushing removes dead hairs and keeps their coat from looking scraggly. It’s also a great way to bond with your dog and check for any skin issues or parasites.
Bathing
Belgian Malinois do not need frequent baths. In general, a bath every 2 to 3 months is plenty. Many owners stick to about 4-6 baths per year unless their dog gets into something really dirty or smelly. Over-bathing can strip the coat of natural oils, so it’s best to bathe only as needed. A good rule of thumb is every 8-12 weeks, but use your nose and eyes.
If your Malinois starts to develop an odor or has visibly dirty fur, it’s bath time. Always use a dog-friendly shampoo. Check out What Is the Best Shampoo for Belgian Malinois? for detailed tips).
Nail Trimming
You should trim your Malinois’s nails about once a month, or roughly every 3-4 weeks. Some dogs wear their nails down naturally with lots of outdoor exercise (Malinois are active, after all), so you might stretch it to 5-6 weeks in those cases.
A good guideline from experts is to trim nails every 2-4 weeks to prevent overgrowth. If you can hear your dog’s nails “clicking” on the floor, they’re definitely due for a trim. Keeping nails short will help your pup move comfortably and avoid splaying on slippery surfaces.
Use our Electric Pet Nail Grinder for gentle trimming. Thanks to the lightweight file, your dog won’t feel uncomfortable during the trimming session.
Ear Cleaning
Plan to check and clean your Malinois’s ears about once a week. Their ears stand upright, which gives them good air flow compared to floppy-eared breeds, but wax and debris can still accumulate.
A weekly inspection and gentle cleaning will prevent ear infections. We’ll cover the how-to further down, but remember not to overdo it – only clean the visible parts of the ear with a vet-approved solution or a damp cotton ball. Weekly ear checks are a great habit.
If you’re not sure what ear solution to buy for your Malawa dog, then check our Belgian Malinois Ear Solution.
Tooth Brushing
While not everyone’s favorite chore, brushing your dog’s teeth a few times a week is ideal to maintain oral health. Dental care often gets lumped in with grooming because it’s part of keeping your dog clean and healthy. Aim for 2-3 times a week tooth brushing, or at minimum provide dental chews if brushing isn’t feasible. (Your Belgium dog probably won’t complain about a tasty dental treat!)
Groom your Belgian Malinois on a weekly basis in some form – whether it’s a thorough brushing session, an ear check, or a quick nail inspection. A full grooming session (brushing, nails, ears, etc.) can be done every couple of weeks, with baths only every few months. By sticking to a routine, you’ll keep your dog looking great and catch any potential issues early.
Do Belgian Malinois Need Haircuts?
No – Belgian Malinois do not require haircuts the way poodles or shih tzus do. In fact, you should avoid cutting or shaving a Malinois’s coat in general. Their double coat is there for a reason: it insulates them from both cold and heat, and provides a barrier against sun and minor scrapes. Shaving a double-coated dog can interfere with these natural protections and their ability to regulate temperature.
Unlike breeds with continuously growing hair, a Malinois’s fur grows to a certain length and stops. You won’t see a Malinois obscured by a giant fluff ball of hair. They pretty much keep the same sleek outline year-round (just with more fur shed during seasonal changes). Therefore, routine haircuts are not part of Belgian Malinois grooming needs.
Trimming is allowed for Malawa dogs
That said, occasional trimming or tidying can be helpful in some cases. Even short-coated dogs might require a little trim in areas of excessive or unruly hair growth. For a Malinois, this could include:
- Tidying up the fur around the tail or hindquarters if it gets a bit bushy.
- Trimming any long hairs on the paws or between the paw pads (to help with traction and cleanliness).
- A slight trim of the “pants” or fur on the back of the thighs if your Mal’s got some extra fluff there.
- Sanitary trims if needed (trimming around the groin area to keep things clean).
These are usually minor touch-ups done with scissors or a small trimmer, not full-body haircuts. Many Malinois owners find they rarely need to do even this much. If you do decide to trim, be very cautious and use blunt-tipped scissors or a safe pet trimmer. It’s wise to have someone experienced show you how, or just ask a professional groomer to do occasional tidy trims if truly needed. But for the most part, you can put the clippers away – your Malinois’s wash-and-wear coat will take care of itself as long as you brush it regularly and keep it clean.
Never shave your Belgian Malinois’s coat completely (unless under specific vet advice for a medical procedure). Shaving can damage the coat and it may not grow back in the same way.
Plus, a shaved Malinois is at higher risk of sunburn and overheating or getting too cold. Embrace the low-maintenance nature of their natural coat! If you keep up with brushing and the occasional bath, your Mal’s fur will stay in great condition without any haircut at all.
What Is the Hardest Dog Breed to Groom?
You might be relieved to hear that the Belgian Malinois is nowhere near the top of the “most difficult to groom” list. Thanks to their short coat and minimal grooming needs, Malinois are relatively easy-care in the grooming department. But what breed wears the crown for the hardest to groom? While opinions vary among groomers, a few breeds are frequently mentioned:
One standout example is the Bergamasco Sheepdog, which many consider among the toughest to groom. Why? Bergamascos have a very unique coat that forms long mats or “flocks” that look like dreadlocks. Managing those cords is an art form – it requires separating and cleaning them carefully, and bath time can take ages (imagine washing and drying thick ropes of hair!).
Other breeds that often get cited as grooming nightmares include Poodles (and poodle mixes like doodles). Their curly hair grows continuously and matts easily if not brushed daily.
Show poodles need intense styling and scissoring which is definitely not for the faint of heart. Old English Sheepdogs, Afghan Hounds, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises – these all have high-maintenance coats requiring constant brushing and regular haircuts to prevent matting. Even Chow Chows and Samoyeds can be challenging with their ultra-thick double coats that shed heavily and can mat.
Compared to those, grooming a Belgian Malinois is a walk in the park! You won’t need to spend hours every week brushing or frequenting the groomer for fancy haircuts. Malawa dogs are often described as a wash-and-wear breed. Give them a good brush, the occasional bath, keep nails trimmed – and you’re done. Their grooming routine is straightforward and manageable for the average dog owner. So if you’ve heard horror stories about grooming certain breeds, rest assured that your Mal’s coat is pretty simple by comparison.
Final Thoughts on Grooming Your Malinois
Grooming your Belgian Malinois should be a positive experience for both you and your dog. It’s not only about keeping them clean and good-looking, but also an opportunity to check on their health and strengthen your bond. Start getting your Mal used to being handled and groomed from a young age – play with their paws, look in their ears, reward them for calm behavior during brushing. This will pay off greatly in making grooming sessions stress-free as they grow up.
Remember the key points: brush regularly, bathe occasionally, trim nails safely, keep those ears clean, and don’t worry about haircuts. With a simple grooming routine, your Malinois will always put their best paw forward. You’ll have a clean house (well, relatively – there will be some fur, let’s be honest!), a shiny pup, and fewer chances of issues like infections or painful mats.
Finally, grooming is just one aspect of caring for a Belgian Malinois. These active, intelligent dogs have lots of energy and other needs to be met. For a broader look at Mal care (training, exercise, nutrition, and more), be sure to read our Belgian Malinois Care Guide. It will give you a comprehensive overview of keeping your Mal happy and healthy in all facets of life.
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