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AnimalsTranscript
00:00 The German Shepherd dog or the Belgian Malinois.
00:02 These two dog breeds look so much alike that you'll be forgiven to mistake one for the other.
00:07 But in this video we will not only teach you how to differentiate between them,
00:12 we'll show you which one of them is best for you.
00:15 The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States,
00:19 and they're super intelligent working dogs.
00:22 The Belgian Malinois is also a very intelligent dog in its own right,
00:26 but it's definitely not as popular as the German Shepherd.
00:30 Both of these dog breeds were originally bred as herding dogs,
00:33 and their names give you everything you need to know about where they were originally bred.
00:37 Despite their striking physical similarities,
00:40 there are stark differences between these two dog breeds.
00:43 It makes us feel like this is one of the easier choices you're going to have to make.
00:48 But make sure to watch the video till the end,
00:51 as the last point we talk about is the most important in helping you determine
00:55 which of these dog breeds is right for you.
00:58 Without further ado, let's jump right into the video.
01:00 Appearance
01:02 The Belgian Malinois stands at 22-26 inches at the shoulder,
01:06 the same as the German Shepherd.
01:08 However, the German Shepherd weighs in at about 75-95 pounds,
01:12 while the Belgian Malinois weighs in at 40-80 pounds.
01:16 A significant difference already!
01:18 The German Shepherd has a medium-length double coat that's weather-resistant,
01:22 which makes the German Shepherd great for any weather condition.
01:26 The double coat can come in different colors and patterns.
01:29 They can be black and cream, black and silver, black and tan, amongst others.
01:34 The Belgian Malinois is also double-coated.
01:37 Normally, its coat has a fond mahogany color.
01:39 The Malinois has a characteristic black mask on its face.
01:43 This is matched with black ears and black tips in its hair.
01:46 Lifespan
01:48 The average lifespan of the Belgian Malinois is 12-14 years,
01:52 while that of the German Shepherd ranges from 10-14 years.
01:56 So for this one, we're going to have to put it in as a draw,
01:59 with a very slight edge for the Malinois.
02:01 General health
02:03 The German Shepherd is a typically healthy dog breed.
02:07 However, every dog breed is prone to health issues.
02:10 For the Shepherd, this could be hip and elbow dysplasia,
02:14 bloat, allergies, degenerative myelopathy, amongst others.
02:18 The Belgian Malinois is just as healthy as the German Shepherd.
02:22 The dog breed is, however, also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia,
02:26 anesthesia sensitivity, and progressive retinal atrophy,
02:30 which is a degenerative eye disorder that might eventually lead to blindness.
02:34 As a responsible dog owner, it is expected that you make your regular visits to your vet
02:40 to prevent most of these diseases that these dogs are prone to.
02:43 We also advise that you purchase either of these dog breeds from reliable breeders
02:47 who can give you a reliable health history of the parent dogs.
02:51 So look at the different diseases that they are predominantly exposed to
02:55 and what you can do to prevent them.
02:57 Whichever of those fit into your lifestyle, more decides the dog you get.
03:02 Adaptability
03:03 This is where we start to see the stark differences between these two breeds.
03:07 The German Shepherd is very capable of adapting to any living or working situation.
03:12 This is why they are the most popular service dogs in the United States.
03:17 They can be trained to do almost anything from serving the blind to working with the military.
03:22 And as such, they'll do well with any kind of family.
03:26 On the other hand, if you live in an apartment,
03:28 it will most likely be a problem for the Belgian Malinois
03:31 because they are simply not built to stay indoors.
03:33 It is not ideal for a novice owner to buy any of these breeds
03:37 as both dogs require experienced handling, even more so with the Belgian Malinois.
03:43 The Belgian Malinois does better if it's left alone
03:46 compared to the German Shepherd who loves to be around his family.
03:49 However, it is not ideal for either of the dog breeds to be left alone
03:53 for long hours or with children.
03:55 The Belgian Malinois is more than capable of adapting to hot or cold weather.
04:00 The German Shepherd is more adapted to cold weather,
04:02 but like the Malinois, will also fare well in the heat.
04:05 For this one, the German Shepherd wins, because it's the dog for everyone.
04:10 It can live wherever you want, in whatever climate,
04:13 and it can be trained to do whatever, too.
04:15 But don't pick yet, as the most important thing to compare between these two dogs
04:19 before getting one is their personality.
04:22 But before we get into that,
04:23 be sure to subscribe to the channel and turn on the bell notification,
04:27 so you get notified when we upload a new video!
04:30 Personality
04:31 The German Shepherd is one of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
04:35 This makes them very trainable dogs.
04:38 They love to be engaged and to be given tasks to carry out.
04:41 This makes them excellent at assisting physically challenged people.
04:45 They are also adept to rescue and policing dogs.
04:49 Like we mentioned earlier, these dogs can be trained to do almost anything.
04:53 The German Shepherd is a high-energy breed that requires lots of exercise and activity.
04:57 When it's not provided, German Shepherds can become bored and destructive.
05:02 They also tend to get aggressive when they are left to themselves for long periods.
05:06 Socially, German Shepherds are aloof and not keen on making new friends.
05:11 They aren't quick to socialize.
05:12 But once a bond is formed, they are one of the most loyal dog breeds.
05:16 They are good with family and are extra protective of their family.
05:21 They will not hesitate to attack when threatened.
05:23 This makes them great for watchdogs.
05:25 If properly trained and well socialized, German Shepherds are excellent with kids.
05:30 They are skilled as babysitters,
05:32 as they are able to intelligently combine being gentle with kids and being protective of them.
05:37 It is still advised that small kids are kept away from German Shepherds, though.
05:42 There is a risk of this big dog mistakenly knocking over a small child.
05:46 The Belgian Mountainois is the quintessential working dog.
05:50 They possess an incredible amount of energy, and they do not expend it.
05:54 Belgian Mountainois require lots of exercise and activity to keep them physically and mentally sound.
05:59 The Belgian Mountainois is not just for anyone.
06:02 As an owner of this dog breed,
06:04 you need to provide the time and commitment to satisfy this dog's need for exercise and activity.
06:09 This can be very demanding.
06:11 So before you get this breed, make sure you have a very active family,
06:15 and that you are experienced dog owners.
06:18 Only very experienced dog owners can handle the Belgian Mountainois.
06:21 Early socialization and training is vital for this dog.
06:25 They have very strong protective instincts that can make them very aggressive to strangers.
06:30 But with proper training and early socialization, this attitude can be tempered.
06:35 Well-trained Mountainois are people-friendly and are able to use their intelligence to curb actual threats.
06:41 As a result, the Mountainois is an excellent guard dog and will fiercely protect their owners when threatened.
06:48 The sheer intelligence and athleticism of the Belgian Mountainois
06:51 have made them ideal candidates for police and military work.
06:55 The Belgian Mountainois have been in the employ of the US military and US Secret Service for years.
07:01 They have also proven to be excellent dogs for search and rescue missions.
07:05 In conclusion, if you are a new dog owner, or you have a very dynamic family that is always evolving,
07:12 then you want to get a German Shepherd that can evolve with you.
07:16 On the other hand, if you already know the type of dog you want,
07:18 and you already have a strict dog policy as an experienced dog owner,
07:23 then the Belgian Mountainois should be a great addition to your household.
07:26 Whatever dog you eventually decide to go for, you really can't go wrong with either of these breeds.
07:32 And there you have it!
07:33 Which of these two dog breeds do you prefer?
07:35 Let us know in the comment section!
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07:47 Also, here are two other videos that we think you'll love, so check them out!
07:52 Bye!