Is a Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix

A Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois mix is a cross between a Australian Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois. Most grow into large dogs of 40–70 lb and live 13–16 years.

Australian Shepherd, a purebred dog — Australian ShepherdPhoto: Christoph Aeschlimann, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Belgian Malinois, a purebred dog — Belgian MalinoisPhoto: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight40–70 lbcan be 40–80 lb

Height20–24 inat the shoulder

Lifespan13–16 years

SizeLarge

How big does a Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix get?

Australian Shepherd40–65 lb

The mix40–70 lb

Belgian Malinois40–80 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 20–24 inches at the shoulder, against 18–23 in for the Australian Shepherd and 22–26 in for the Belgian Malinois.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

Moderate

Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.

Energy

High

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Very high

The Australian Shepherd rates very high and the Belgian Malinois high; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Low

A weekly brush and the odd bath keep the coat in shape.

Temperament

The Australian Shepherd is usually described as smart, work-oriented, exuberant. The Belgian Malinois as confident, smart, hardworking. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

Australian Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs the mix

Trait	Australian Shepherd	Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix	Belgian Malinois
Weight	40–65 lb	40–70 lb	40–80 lb
Height	18–23 in	20–24 in	22–26 in
Lifespan	12–15 yr	13–16 yr	14–16 yr
Shedding	moderate	moderate	moderate
Energy	high	high	high
Group	Herding	mixed	Herding

Questions about the Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix

How big does a Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix get?: Most grow to 40–70 pounds and 20–24 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 40–80 pounds.
How long does a Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 13–16 years, the midpoint of the Australian Shepherd (12–15 years) and the Belgian Malinois (14–16 years).
Does a Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix shed?: Shedding is moderate. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other Australian Shepherd mixes

Other Belgian Malinois mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.