Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier"
Compare Belgian Malinois and American Pit Bull Terrier. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or American Pit Bull Terrier?
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Name | Belgian Malinois | American Pit Bull Terrier |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Hunting Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 44 | 336 |
Reviews | 1 | 4 |
Rate |
Other Names | Malinois | APBT, Pit Bull, Pitty, Pit, Pitbull |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. |
FCI Group | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | American Canine Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Backwoods Bulldog Club |
Price | $1200-$1400 | $500-$700 |
General Appearance - Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier
Size | Large | Medium |
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Weight | Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg) | 22-78 pounds (10-35 kg) |
Avg. Weight | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg) | 50 pounds (22.5 kg) |
Height | Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) | 14-24 inches (35-60 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) | 19 inches (47.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier
Coat | Weather-resistant Straight | Fine |
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Colors | Brindle Cream Fawn Black | Blue Gray White Tan Brown Red Yellow Black |
Grooming | Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The American Pit Bull Terrier requires minimal grooming. |
Shedding Level | Belgian Malinoiss shed moderately. | American Pit Bull Terriers shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier
Temperament | Active Alert Confident Friendly Hard working Protective Stubborn Watchful | Affectionate Clownish Friendly Loyal Strong Willed Aggressive Courageous Intelligent Obedient Stubborn |
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Intelligent Rank | Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. | Average: American Pit Bull Terrier's has average obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train. | American Pit Bull Terriers are easy to train. |
Playfulness | The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. | The American Pit Bull Terrier is a playful breed. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | Belgian Malinoiss may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. | American Pit Bull Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs | Belgian Malinoiss are a social breed. | American Pit Bull Terriers are a social breed. |
Barking | Average to high: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. | Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier barks occasionally. |
Watchdog Ability | Belgian Malinoiss are one of the best watchdogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | Belgian Malinoiss strongly protect their territory. | American Pit Bull Terriers are average defenders. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody. |
High The American Pit Bull Terrier has a high chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Belgian Malinoiss have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | American Pit Bull Terriers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Wanderlust potential of the Belgian Malinois is strong enough to escape from home. | Wanderlust potential of the American Pit Bull Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. |
Prey Drive | Belgian Malinoiss have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | American Pit Bull Terriers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. |
Apartment Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | American Pit Bull Terriers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
Adaptability | Belgian Malinoiss adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | American Pit Bull Terriers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Belgian Malinoiss do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | American Pit Bull Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Good With - Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier
Stranger Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are average friendly towards strangers. |
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Child Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are kid-friendly dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are average friendly towards cats. | American Pit Bull Terriers are not cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are average friendly towards other dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are not dog-friendly. |
Office Friendly |
No Belgian Malinois is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No American Pit Bull Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are usually recommended for elderly people. | American Pit Bull Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are generally with other pets. | American Pit Bull Terriers do best when they’re the only pet at the family. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Belgian Malinoiss are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No American Pit Bull Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really American Pit Bull Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier
Health Issues | The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | American Pit Bull Terriers tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. |
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Health Problems | Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Eye Problems Hip Dysplasia | Demodectic Mange Hip Dysplasia Skin Allergies |
Life Expectancy | 12-14 years | 10-14 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No |
Energy Level | Belgian Malinoiss are high energy dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
Exercise Need | Belgian Malinoiss need a lot of exercises. | American Pit Bull Terriers have an average exercise need. |
Sleeping Need | Belgian Malinoiss don't need too much sleep. | American Pit Bull Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Low to Average. | Average. |
Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The American Pit Bull Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Belgian Malinois vs American Pit Bull Terrier
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 6-10 puppies | 5-8 puppies |
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