Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison

Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed ComparisonMackenzie River Husky is originated from United States but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) is originated from Belgium. Mackenzie River Husky may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Mackenzie River Husky may weigh 13 kg / 29 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois). Both Mackenzie River Husky and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) has same life span. Both Mackenzie River Husky and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) has same litter size. Mackenzie River Husky requires Moderate maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) requires Low maintenance

History

mackenzie river husky - historyThe name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

belgian shepherd dog malinois - historyThe Belgian Malinois is one of 4 Belgian Shepherd varieties. The dogs were developed- and hail from Belguim. The Malinois has a short, fawn colored coat. The American Kennel Club recognizes that the Malinois is a separate breed from the other 3 varieties. It was in 1892 that Professor Reul wrote the first Belgian Shepherd Dog standard, recognizing 3 varieties – dogs with short coats, dogs with long coats and dogs with rough coats.

Today's Malinois goes back to a breeding pair owned by Adrien Janssens. It was in 1885 that he bought a fawn, rough-haired dog, breeding the dog with a short-haired dog named Lise de Laeken. After other breedings, the two dogs were recognized as ancestors of the modern Belgian Shepherd Dogs.

The city of Malines formed a club for the promotion of these fawn short hairs and the name Malinois became synonymous with them. In March 1992, the American Belgian Malinois Club received AKC parent club status.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Belgium
Height Male:
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
61 - 66 cm
24 - 26 inches
Height Female:
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
29 - 34 kg
63 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
Mali,Berger Belge Malinois, Mechelse Berger
Colors Available:
White, tan, cream, black, blonde and red.
Fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, brown or red
Coat:
Medium Length to Long - dense
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

mackenzie river husky puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

Similarities to German Shepherd

belgian shepherd dog malinois puppy - descriptionThe Malinois is a medium-size Belgian shepherd dog. People sometimes mistake them for the German Shepherd as they are fairly similar to look at. The Malinois however is a smaller, lighter boned dog with naturally upright ears and a black-masked face. He is shorthaired and fawn-colored with black tips on the hairs, although other colors are brown or red too. He is an intelligent and active dog, always having been used for herding-, police- and rescue work.

Reserved or Friendly

You’ll find the Malinois somewhat unpredictable as some are friendly and confident while other can be shy and withdrawn around strangers. This is a dog who loves to be around his human family, but to bring out the best in him, training and socialization classes will be necessary. Well-socialized Malinois are always good with children and other pets, more so if they’ve been raised with them.

Characteristics

mackenzie river husky dog - characteristicsYour MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

belgian shepherd dog malinois dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Malinois makes a wonderful guard dog and he works hard to ensure that his human family, whom he adores, are well protected under his watch. They’re such intelligent dogs too that you may feel inclined to pass over some of your chores to him.

He responds well to training, and to get the best from this breed, start with training and socialization as soon as you bring your puppy home.

Socialization is excellent as it introduces your puppy to different people, animals as well as situations.

He is an adaptable dog and can live in an apartment if he is well exercised. He can be your devoted and loyal friend for a good number of years but you will have to do your part in providing him with the best care possible.

Health Problems

mackenzie river husky puppies - health problemsYour MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

belgian shepherd dog malinois puppies - health problemsBelgian Malinois are generally healthy dogs. However every dog, regardless of breed, can pick up illnesses, and it is always wise to be aware of some of the diseases your Malinois might face.

Hip Dysplasia

An inherited condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

A degenerative eye disorder that can lead to blindness.

Dental problems

Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove tartar build-up. Too much plague leads to inflamed gums, bad breath, pus inside the mouth and even loss of teeth.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

mackenzie river husky dogs - caringHuskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.

Regular Brushing as he’s a Shedder

belgian shepherd dog malinois dogs - caringBecause the Malinois is a constant shedder, with a couple of heavy shedding periods during the year, you’ll need to be conscientious with his grooming and brush him at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs and to give his thick coat a glossy, healthy look to it.

Exercise

Because of their high energy, Malinois aren’t recommended for couch-potato type owners. It will be cruel to buy such a dog and to leave him to waste away with boredom and frustration in your back yard. He’ll want lots of rough and tumble, ball games, runs in the park or in the country and long walks.

Feeding

Belgian Shepherd Malinois puppies are vulnerable when they’re tiny, and it would be wise to speak to your vet about superb nutrition to build up a puppy’s immune system.

An excellent way to ensure the health of your growing Malinois is to give him a home prepared meals along with commercially manufactured food recommended by your vet. You can’t just put a bowl of commercially manufactured dog food in front of him day after day month after month.

Apart from what your vet recommends, give him some brown rice, some cooked vegetables and some raw meat. Raw meat will ensure he can fight of skin infections. The age of the dog, emotional state and environmental influences can all play a role in skin diseases with dogs, but by ensuring some raw meat in his diet, the immune system is strengthened and skin disorders are eliminated. Always ensure a steady supply of fresh water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  5. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  6. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  10. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  11. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  12. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  13. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  14. Catahoula Cur vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  15. Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  16. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  17. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  18. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  19. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  20. Queensland Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  21. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  22. Bohemian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  23. Croatian Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  24. Red Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  28. Mackenzie River Husky vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  30. Mackenzie River Husky vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  31. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  33. Mackenzie River Husky vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  34. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  35. Mackenzie River Husky vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  36. Mackenzie River Husky vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  37. Mackenzie River Husky vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  38. Mackenzie River Husky vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mackenzie River Husky vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  40. Mackenzie River Husky vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  41. Mackenzie River Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  42. Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Mackenzie River Husky vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  44. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  45. Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  46. Mackenzie River Husky vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  47. Mackenzie River Husky vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  48. Mackenzie River Husky vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  49. Mackenzie River Husky vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Mackenzie River Husky vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds