Content Summary : In Europe the Belgian Malinois (short-haired fawn) is one of four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog. The other varieties are the Groenendael (long-haired black, called Belgian Sheepdog in the US), the Tervuren (long-haired fawn), and the Laekenois (wire-haired fawn or gray). The American Kennel Club split the varieties into three separate breeds back in the 1950s (AKC does not recognize the Laekenois). The genetics behind each breed are very similar, as are their personalities and temperaments. The advantage here is that a study of the more common Tervuren and Sheepdog will give you some indication of the qualities of the short-haired, fawn colored Malinois. A word of caution: The US Military has imported many dogs from the Netherlands for use as Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Although they refer to these dogs as Belgian Malinois, many of them are mixed with other breeds and do not possess all of the Belgian Malinois breed's characteristics. The Belgian Malinois is a sensitive, family-oriented dog. They love to do anything and everything with their owners, and at times they will insist! They are not a breed that is happy being kenneled or otherwise deprived of their owner's companionship. They are also an extremely high-energy dog. This is an important note for if you are unprepared and do not enjoy their activity level, they can make your life miserable! Malinois, if not given something to occupy their time, will make something up by themselves - usually not to your liking. Many people have said that they have had active dogs in the past, but the Malinois differs in that all his energy is directed at his owner! If you throw the ball for him 100 times, then he will return it to you 101 times for another throw. A person often wonders if it is possible to ever wear these dogs out!