Malinois growth and adult size

Hi everyone, We’ve rescued a puppy who looks like she’s been mistreated. We don’t know anything about her background, but she’s clearly got some Malinois in her. However, she only weighs about 31 lbs and stands 19 inches tall at just over 6 months old. Has anyone else seen this before, or is it likely just because she’s a crossbreed? Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I’ve got a Malinois from the Cap des Draps d’Or kennel. He’s 8 months old and weighs about 66 lbs (around 4st 10lb). He’s a big lad—is it normal for him to be that heavy? Hi, if he’s got a large frame and isn’t overweight, then I'd say it's normal. Just keep an eye on the quality of his food and avoid any high-impact exercise for now. Personally, I’m not a fan of these bigger builds; it’s not really typical for the breed anymore and it can cause growth issues or, later down the line, mobility problems. My girl isn't KC registered but she’s a Malinois type (she’s just missing the paperwork, lol). She weighs about 60 lbs (around 4st 4lb) and she’s nearly 9 years old. Being on the smaller side, she’s an absolute rocket; she never had any growth issues and her size is closer to the authentic Malinois look, which is supposed to be medium-sized. Basically, you’ve got a Malinois that fits within the current breed standards.

Hi everyone, I have a Malinois from the 'du caps des draps d'or' kennel. He’s 8 months old and weighs 30kg (about 66 lbs). He’s quite a big lad, but is it normal for him to be this weight already?

Hi, I have a 6-month-old Malinois. He weighs about 55 lbs and is 22 inches tall at the withers. I was just wondering if he’s too big for his age? Thanks.

Feeding two or three times a day is a good idea, as it helps reduce the risk of bloat (gastric torsion). Regarding the amount, keep an eye on their stools; if they’re nice and firm without any intermittent diarrhoea (which often crops up in the afternoon when feeding twice a day), then you’re on the right track. You can also vary the amount based on how active the puppy is—if they aren't very active, you can certainly cut back a bit. As for the mouthing, it’s perfectly normal, especially for a Malinois. There are plenty of techniques depending on the puppy and the environment they were in during their first few weeks. If they were with their littermates, working on bite inhibition and control will be much easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeXMUkPnkUE&t=8s The aim is to make him understand that it hurts, so do exactly what his brothers and sisters would: let out a high-pitched yelp to signal him to stop. If he’s a bit of a handful and doesn't seem to care, you can gently pinch his ear with your nails (go easy, though, as their ears are very delicate at that age) until he lets out a yelp himself. He’ll gradually bite with less pressure until he stops altogether. However, this really needs to be fully established by the time he’s 4 months old; after 4 months, it’s much harder to get a reliable result. One last thing: don't pull your hand away. It’s up to the puppy to stop, not for us to retreat.

Yeah, you're right, I'll just give her the daily amount in two meals and we'll see how it goes...? By any chance, do you have any tips for nipping?? Mine won't stop and as I'm about to start training, I'm worried it's going to be a bit of a problem.....

Hi. My Malinois is 3 months old and weighs about 20lbs. Is that about right? Thanks a lot. Unless you are really underfeeding a pup or there is an underlying medical issue, genetics is the only thing that will determine their final size. I’ve seen Malinois pups at 6 months weighing only 17.5lbs, whereas mine was more like 35lbs. You’ve got to stop stressing about your pup’s height and weight. The one thing you should definitely avoid, especially with a Malinois, is overfeeding the puppy thinking it’ll speed up their growth. It’ll just make the puppy obese, and that’s really dangerous for their joints.