Are you considering adding a Belgian Malinois to your household that already has a Rottweiler? It’s important to know whether these two breeds can get along peacefully before making any decisions. So do Rottweilers, and Belgian Malinois get along?
Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois can get along if they are socialized as puppies and correctly introduced. Unfortunately, it can be hard to fix if something goes wrong in the early stages, as Belgian Malinois have long memories, and both breeds are highly territorial and protective.
In this blog post, we will delve into the history and temperaments of both Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois and explore how they interact with each other.
Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or new to the game, this post will provide valuable insights and help you determine if these two breeds can coexist in harmony.
Getting them introduced safely
The Belgian Malinois is a breed that is great with kids and small dogs as it can be gentle and understanding when it wants to. However, a larger dog can get protective of its territory and family, so a proper introduction is doubly essential.
To perform a good introduction, allow the dogs to meet on a neutral ground. That is, an area that neither considers being their territory. This can be outside the home, a park, or at a neutral party’s house.
If you bring another dog directly into the home of a Belgian Malinois or a Rottweiler, they are likely to become very defensive. Their guard instincts will kick in to protect the family.
Having a good introduction is especially important with a Belgian Malinois because they have a long memory. If the introduction goes bad, it may be challenging to improve the relationship after a long time.
Getting each dog socialized early
For both Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois, early socialization with other dogs is key to building good relationships. They are both breeds that benefit significantly from being socialized early on. Unfortunately, they are also difficult to socialize later in life if they were not exposed to other dogs when they were puppies.
The first few weeks and months of a puppy’s life are critical in deciding its ability to get along with other dogs later in life.
When your puppies are vaccinated and ready to socialize, it’s essential to set up short walks, playdates, and other opportunities for your Rottweiler or Belgian Malinois to meet other dogs.
It’s even better if the two grow up together, as they can get socialized with one another.
Getting professional training
Especially if one or the other dog is older, getting professional help can be useful. There can be many reasons an adult Rottweiler and Belgian Malinois aren’t getting along. For example, they could have had a bad introduction, bad experiences as puppies, or not been socialized properly.
A professional trainer can help you prevent their worst and most hostile behaviors, warming them up to each other over time. You can also take lessons yourself to learn how to train the dogs and handle many different situations.
A trainer will likely help you assess the dogs’ behavior and recommend an appropriate plan to curb their worst behaviors over time.
Do differences in breeds affect their ability to get along?
Yes. Different breeds of dogs have different sizes and temperaments, which affect their ability to get along. For example, both the Rottweiler and Belgian Malinois are territorial and protective breeds, which is great for when they are getting along, but difficult for an initial introduction.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois- size differences
Rottweilers are 22-27 inches to the shoulder in height, whereas Belgian Malinois are 22-26 inches in height, making them almost identically sized breeds. Having dogs of the same size is helpful for when they are playing together, as neither will have the upper hand.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois – Temperament compared
Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois have similar temperaments. They are both protective and territorial while also being loyal. They both tend to care deeply about their owners and enjoy attention. Thankfully, both are also intelligent species that can be trained well and are generally obedient.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois- Guarding Instincts compared.
Both Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois have strong guarding instincts. They are two of the most popular breeds of guard dogs. Their guard instinct is first and foremost for their family and owners, who they are highly protective of. They can also get highly protective of their territory once it is marked out for them.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois – are they territorial?
Yes, both the Rottweiler and Belgian Malinois are territorial animals. Beyond being protective of their owners, they tend to protect their territory as they claim it as well.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois – are they dominant?
Dominance is not a recognized trait in dog breeds anymore. Furthermore, the studies that found captive wolves have ‘alphas’ and ‘betas’ have been largely discredited.
Today, research suggests dogs are more or less aggressive and obedient depending on their training, temperament, and socialization. For example, Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois may be considered dominant in the sense that they have strong guard instincts but otherwise are just as loving and loyal as other dog breeds.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois – Energy Levels compared
Rottweilers are medium to high energy dogs in their adulthood. They still require lots of exercise and can be playful, but they are often content to lounge around and guard.
Belgian Malinois are very high-energy dogs. They need tons of exercise and are very playful. That means the two breeds can balance each other out on energy levels, although Rottweilers may resent the Malinois from time to time for bothering them too much.
Rottweiler vs. Belgian Malinois – Training needs compared
Both breeds are obedient and trainable but are better trained from a young age. It can be harder to teach each of them in their adulthood. Therefore, introducing the two breeds is more difficult if either has already reached maturity without proper training and socialization.
Are Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois Compatible?
Once friends, Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois make great guard dog companions. The problems only arise when it comes to initial introductions. Then, because they are both highly protective, they can get highly defensive when another dog enters their territory.
For that reason, it’s essential to take a few steps to get a Rottweiler, and Belgian Malinois adequately introduced and socialized.
If they are socialized while young, they meet on neutral ground and are given many opportunities to get to know each other, they are sure to become great friends eventually. Also helpful is if they are opposite genders, as same-gender dogs tend to find each other to be competitive.
Final thoughts
Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois are both amazing, loyal dogs that will guard you with their lives. They are beautiful breeds that can get along if you give them the time and space to get to know one another.
It’s unfortunate that the thing that makes each so loyal and loving to their families also makes them very wary of other dogs with similar instincts. But because Rottweilers and Belgian Malinois are around the same size and temperament, there is less risk of one causing a big problem for the other.
In the end, it’ll come down to how they were trained as puppies and how they are introduced to determine their compatibility. If you are careful, things should go well, but there is a chance you may need professional help to navigate the situation.
