Pet Care Blog

Belgian Malinois Growth & Weight Chart: Everything You Need to Know

Dr. Ricky Walther, DVM
Updated: Oct 11, 2024
belgian malinois lying on grass

The Belgian Malinois is an intelligent, medium-sized shepherd dog. Their body is covered with a short, thick coat that keeps shedding throughout the year. They exhibit bravery and agility and are often used as security, military, or working dogs. You can also train them to provide personal protection. They are known to be highly active and need physical exercises and mental stimulation every day. Their friendly and affectionate personality allows them to form strong bonds with their owners. 

Here is everything you need to know regarding the Belgian Malinois' weight and size, how much to feed a puppy Malinois, and more information to help keep them happy and healthy.

Your new puppy may be small — but their vet bills won't be.

Save big on costs with pet insurance, so you can protect your puppy while protecting your wallet.

Male Belgian Malinois Growth & Weight Chart

The following chart provides an idea of the average weight and height of a male Belgian Malinois from birth to three years of age. These figures may vary slightly during your dog's growth; therefore, you must always consult a veterinarian.

Age (months)

Weight (lbs)

Weight (kg)

Height (in)

Height (cm)

0

3 – 9

1.4 – 4.1

8-10

20-25

1

10 – 20

4.5 – 9.1

10-14

25-35

2

20 – 30

9.1 – 13.6

14-18

35-45

3

25 – 35

11.3 – 15.9

18-21

45-53

4

30 – 40

13.6 – 18.1

19-22

48-56

5

35 – 45

15.9 – 20.4

20-23

51-58

6

40 – 50

18.1 – 22.7

21-24

53-61

7

45 – 55

20.4 – 25

22-25

56-63

8

50 – 60

22.7 – 27.2

23-26

58-66

9

55 – 65

25 – 29.5

24-27

61-69

10

60 – 70

27.2 – 31.8

24-27

61-69

11

65 – 75

29.5 – 34

25-28

63-71

12

70 – 80

31.8 – 36.3

25-28

63-71

24

65 – 75

29.5 – 34

25-28

63-71

Female Belgian Malinois Growth & Weight Chart

The following chart shows the average heights and weights of female Malinois from birth to two years of age.

Age (months)

Weight (lbs)

Weight (kg

Height (in)

Height (cm)

0

3 – 9

1.4 – 4.1

8 – 10

20 – 25

1

10 – 20

4.5 – 9.1

10 – 14

25 – 35

2

20 – 30

9.1 – 13.6

4 – 18

35 – 45

3

25 – 35

11.3 – 15.9

18 – 21

45 – 53

4

30 – 40

13.6 – 18.1

19 – 22

48 – 56

5

35 – 45

15.9 – 20.4

20 – 23

51 – 58

6

40 – 50

18.1- 22.7

21 – 24

53 – 61

7

45 – 55

20.4 – 25

22 – 25

56 – 63

8

50 – 60

22.7 – 27.2

23 – 26

58 – 66

9

55 – 65

25 – 29.5

24 – 27

61 – 69

10

60 – 70

27.2 – 31.8

24 – 27

61 – 69

11

65 – 75

29.5 – 34

25 – 28

63 – 71

12

70 – 80

31.8 – 36.3

25 – 28

63 – 71

24

65 – 75

29.5 – 34

25 – 28

63 – 71

When Does a Belgian Malinois Stop Growing?

The Belgian Malinois reaches adult size at about a year old. They experience rapid growth up to 11 months old. During this time, they also attain 90% of their adult weight.

Due to their high energy and activity levels, they may continue growing until 18 months of age. Their muscular build continues developing until they reach their second year, which is impacted by lifestyle and diet.

The Belgian Malinois fully depends on their mom from birth to around two weeks. During this period, they lack teeth and can neither see nor hear. Their sense of taste and touch helps them curl to their parent for warmth and milk. Their ears start functioning, and their eyes begin to open at two weeks old.

At four to nine months, they begin teething and develop a desire to chew everything around their habitat. They are the most affectionate at this age, allowing you to form an extraordinary connection with them.

Looking to save on vet bills? See which pet insurance is right for you.

Instant results. 1M+ pet parents served. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 stars across hundreds of reviews.

How Much Bigger Will My Belgian Malinois Get?

belgian malinois stretched on ground

Your Belgian Malinois will not proceed to grow in height after two years, but they may continue gaining weight. For this reason, it is essential to regulate their diet to avoid obesity. You must feed your dog the correct amount of food according to their age.

A proper diet from birth supports proper development and puts less strain on your dog's joints. You can check with your vet to determine the right amount of food for your Malinois, as how much and when to feed your pup may depend on its activity level, size, and more. Dog food bags also typically have a helpful chart to help you serve the right amount of food for every age.

Genetics is the main factor that affects the maximum size of your dog. If you neuter your Malinois before they are a year old, their height may be affected. Your dog's gender affects their maximum size limit. Male Belgian Malinois grow taller and heavier than the females.

There are various ways to measure the growth progress of your Malinois. The simplest way is by using a measuring stick:

  • You begin by placing the stick flat against the wall and perpendicular to the floor. 
  • Make your dog stand next to the measuring stick, with their front legs on the same line as the measuring stick.
  • Their feet should be shoulder-width apart, and shoulders and hips should be square.
  • Your dog should remain still, with their head in a neutral position.
  • Find the dog's shoulder blades by feeling the skin along the base of the neck.
  • You can then check the measurement by marking the highest point of your dog's shoulder blades on the measuring stick.

What is the Size of a Full-Grown Belgian Malinois?

A fully-grown Belgian Malinois is classified as a medium-sized breed. An adult female weighs 40 to 60 pounds, whereas a male weighs 60 to 80 pounds.

Dogs often reach their full height sooner than their adult weight. A Belgian Malinois puppy reaches full height around the first birthday and continues to gain weight until about 24 months old.

How Do I Make Sure My Belgian Malinois is Healthy?

You need to make regular visits to the veterinary doctor to assess your dog's overall health and development. Before you first visit your local vet, we recommend purchasing pet insurance.

Pet insurance gives you a financial safety net in case of any required medical treatment for unexpected health issues in dogs, like injuries and illnesses, many of which can cost thousands of dollars. With pet insurance, you will be reimbursed for a portion of the money you may pay out-of-pocket on veterinary service for covered conditions.

Add-on wellness plans are also available to help with the vet visit costs of preventive pet care, including flea/tick prevention, spay or neutering, and so much more.

How do you know which plan is right for you and your Malinois? Pawlicy Advisor offers Belgian Malinois pet insurance that help you protect your pup’s health and save money over their lifetime.

Other ways include keeping your dog engaged by providing training sessions, interactive toys, and dog puzzles. This helps with mind stimulation and the prevention of harmful behaviors. Incorporate high-quality diets into your dog's feeding routine. You can alter the feeds based on your dog's activity level, weight, and age.

With a veterinarian's permission, you can use supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine to improve your dog's joint health. If your dog fails to gain weight as expected, consult a veterinarian to sort out underlying health issues.

Ricky Walther, DVM

Dr. Ricky Walther
DVM

Ricky Walther, DVM, is a small animal general practitioner in the greater Sacramento, California area. Realizing the positive financial and medical impact that pet insurance can provide for pet parents and the profession, he lends support and advice to companies like Pawlicy Advisor "The Pet Insurance Marketplace") that simplify the process of connecting with veterinary financing resources.

Do you want to find the best pet insurance?

Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Ready?

Analyze My Pet

About Pawlicy Advisor

Recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association and veterinarians nationwide, Pawlicy Advisor makes buying the best pet insurance easier. We compare top brands and match you to the right protection at a great price. Our free service has helped over 1 million happy pet owners.

See Customer Reviews

More on Dog Care

well cared for dog
14 minute read
39 Dog Care Tips: The Ultimate Pet Parent’s Guide
dog ladybug costume
5 minute read
5 Halloween Pet Safety Tips Every Owner Should Know
woman reading map with dog
9 minute read
Best U.S. Cities For Dogs
rescue puppy pitbull
9 minute read
Bringing Home A Rescue Puppy
dog with a cold
6 minute read
Do Dogs Get Colds? Here's Everything You Need To Know
Dog and vet looking at medical chart
13 minute read
Dog Health Issues: Common Conditions by Breed, Size, Age
Small dog in carrier receiving a shot
10 minute read
What Vaccines Do Dogs Need?
Mongrel dog overheating outdoors
7 minute read
How Hot Is Too Hot For Dogs?
Dog cooling off with hose
6 minute read
How to Cool Down Dogs
dog retrieving ball in the snow
10 minute read
How To Keep Dogs Warm, Healthy & Happy During Winter

Guides

How to Choose Pet Insurance

Best Pet Insurance Companies

How Pet Insurance Works

When Pet Insurance Is Worth It

When Wellness Plans Are Worth It

Vet Visit Costs

Compare Pet Insurance Companies

Lemonade vs MetLife

Fetch vs Embrace

Pumpkin vs Figo

ASPCA vs Pets Best

See All Comparison Charts

Best Pet Insurance by State

NY - New York

CA - California

TX - Texas

FL - Florida

WA - Washington

Find Your State

Dog & Puppy Insurance

Golden Retriever

French Bulldog

German Shepherd

Shih Tzu

Chihuahua

Find Your Dog Breed

Back to Blog
A family with pets that are insured by Pawlicy Advisor
Pawlicy Advisor is the #1 pet insurance marketplace for comparing quotes from top brands all in one place — and finding the right coverage at a great price.
Join over 1,000,000+ pet owners, today.
Get a Quote
Our pet insurance partners
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Logo
Pets Best Pet Insurance Logo
Embrace Pet Insurance Logo
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Logo
MetLife Pet Insurance Logo
Prudent Pet Insurance Logo
Figo Pet Insurance Logo
Fetch Pet Insurance Logo
Lemonade Pet Insurance Logo
Spot Pet Insurance Logo
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Logo