Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Why Wolf Hybrids Are Not a Good Idea

If there were such a hybrid as a Belgian Malinois Wolf mix dog, this animal would require a very special type of living situation to be able to cope with life in captivity.

The reason is not just because of the wolf DNA, but because the Belgian Malinois dog is also not considered to be a dog breed for inexperienced dog trainers or first-time dog owners.

These dogs are not called “super soldiers” for nothing (watch the video in the next section here to learn more).

In this article, find out what a Belgian Malinois Wolf mix dog might be like and why trying to breed and train wolf hybrids as companion canines is often a recipe for disaster.

Learn Why the Belgian Malinois Is Often Called a “Super Soldier” Dog

While the Belgian Malinois dog breed is not well known in general dog lover circles, these dogs are prized beyond any other breed in military, police, and K-9 communities.

As this YouTube video highlights, when properly trained, the Belgian Malinois is literally an unstoppable force in protection and security dog roles.

This might seem very complementary with a Wolf cross, but actual wild wolves are very unlike the Belgian Malinois in their temperament as we will explain here shortly.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Dog Breeds History

The Belgian Malinois Wolf mix would have genetic influence from both a modern domestic dog and a wild wolf.

There is no doubt that crossbreeding dogs and wolves still goes on today. Sometimes it happens naturally as the two species are often able to interbreed.

And sometimes it is a human-made endeavor, which does neither species any good service.

Belgian Malinois history

The Belgian Malinois is often mistaken for the internationally beloved German Shepherd dog. But placed side by side, it quickly becomes obvious these two dogs don’t really even look that much alike.

However, the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd dog share a background as working dogs and even were bred to do similar jobs herding and guarding livestock and later people as well.

Today, both dog breeds are used extensively in the military, police, and private protection and security.

Wolf history

Wolves in the wild have been persecuted nearly to the point of extinction in many places. And yet, as Wolf Park charity points out, a healthy wild wolf will not attack or even venture close to a human.

Without wild wolves, we would not have today’s companion canines that we call dogs.

The fact that we so persecute wolves while showering our pet dogs with love and care points to how little we really understand the wild wolf personality and temperament.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Personality and Temperament

As we’ve already touched on here earlier, dogs and wolves have intrinsically different personalities and temperaments.

In other words, although dogs and wolves still often look somewhat similar, on the inside the two species are really very little alike!

Belgian Malinois personality and temperament

The Belgian Malinois is currently ranked as the 47th most popular dog breed (out of 196 registered purebred breeds) by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

These dogs are sometimes described as super-charged German Shepherds. In other words, they have all the protective instincts and intense owner-loyalty of the GSD and then even more.

Belgian Malinois dogs are not “pet” dogs in the traditional sense of the word. They are bred to work tirelessly in some of the most challenging and dangerous jobs in the world.

A Belgian Malinois will need focused, positive, ongoing socialization and special training right from puppyhood to be able to adapt to any kind of life that doesn’t involve the structure of a daily job with long hours.

Wolf personality and temperament

The wild wolf personality is vastly different than that of the modern domesticated dog – in spite of the fact that today’s dogs are descended from ancient wild wolves.

The wolf personality and temperament is actually quite shy and fearful of humans once they reach sexual maturity.

They are very intelligent animals and will go to amazing lengths to avoid contact with people, as Howling Woods adoption charity points out.

Belgian Malinois Wolf mix personality and temperament

As Wildlife Waystation explains so well, the “wolf dog” is often a conflicted and confused hybrid animal that struggles to deal with two opposing temperament types.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Size, Height, and Weight

The Belgian Malinois and the wild wolf share some similarities in their overall appearance, shape, size, height, and weight.

But it is important to remember that this is where similarities will end.

Belgian Malinois size, height, and weight

The Belgian Malinois can weigh anywhere from 40 to 80 pounds in adulthood. Males can easily outweigh females by 20 pounds.

The adult Mal will typically stand 22 to 26 inches tall.

Wolf size, height, and weight

There are several wild wolf species.

As Wolf Watcher points out, this means the weight, size, and height can vary.

For example, the adult female gray wolf can weigh 60 to 95 pounds. The adult male gray wolf can weigh 75 to 120 pounds. And they can stand anywhere from 26 to 32 inches tall.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Training and Exercise Needs

A Belgian Malinois Wolf mix hybrid will need very specialized and positive training and socialization to have any chance of living successfully in a captive setting.

These hybrid animals may mature earlier or later depending on whether the wild wolf or domestic dog genome prevails in a puppy.

For example, as the International Wolf Center points out, wolves can take up to four years to mature, while most domestic dogs will mature before the age of 12 months.

Belgian Malinois training and exercise needs

The Belgian Malinois breed needs constant, vigorous activity every day as soon as the major growth plates in the long leg bones have closed and hardened.

These dogs have been bred for generations to do grueling, dangerous jobs for long hours day in and day out.

They do not adapt well to life as a “pet” and will need a lot of special training to cope with visitors to the home or the presence of strange animals.

Wolf training and exercise needs

Wolves or wolf-dog hybrids are going to be intensely demanding to train, exercise, and socialize. Dogs are people-centric to start with and wolves are genetically pre-programmed to live in packs.

This means a Belgian Malinois Wolf mix will transfer all of their “pack life” needs onto their human owner and keeper.

These animals cannot be left alone ever and even well-trained, well-socialized wolf-dog hybrids can display very difficult traits when they reach sexual maturity.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Longevity & Health Issues

The Belgian Malinois genetic health history is fairly well-documented. However, researchers don’t have nearly so much data about health issues that captive wolves or wolf-dog hybrids might face.

Belgian Malinois longevity and health issues

According to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database, the Belgian Malinois breed has the following known possible genetic health issues you need to be aware of:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Elbow dysplasia.
• Eye issues.

Overall, the Belgian Malinois has a typical life expectancy of 14 to 16 years.

Wolf longevity and health issues

Wolf health issues in a captive setting are not well documented.

There are certain serious health problems like rabies and distemper that affect both wolves and dogs, but there is no vaccine available for wolves.

The Wolf has a typical life span of just six to eight years in the wild. In a captive setting, they may live up to 17 years, according to some reports.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Guarding and Protection Instincts

Any wolf-dog hybrid, including a Belgian Malinois Wolf mix, is going to inherit a strange mix of dog and wolf traits.

The Belgian Malinois is the top protection and military K-9 in the world, as the American Belgian Malinois Club explains.

Contrary to popular belief, wolves make terrible guards and protection dogs. They are shy and eager to avoid any and all contact with humans.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Good with Kids & Other Pets

A wolf-dog hybrid of any mix is not a suitable companion for families with young children or any other pets.

Occasionally a wolf-dog hybrid can learn to get along with a domestic dog and have a companion in that way.

Belgian Malinois Wolf Mix: Is This the Right Dog For You?

There are a few programs in the country that takes in abandoned wolf-dog hybrids and foster them, keep them as ambassador animals, or adopt them out to suitable owners.

If you are interested in adopting a Belgian Malinois Wolf mix hybrid, it is best to contact one of these charities and find out the requirements.

Related Reading: How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Belgian Malinois & How Much Does It Cost To Keep?