German shepherds are pretty distinctive in the way they look. And while almost anyone could tell a German shepherd from another dog breed, when it comes to the Belgian Malinois, you can understand if people get a little confused.

While the two dog breeds look kind of similar, they do have some key differences.

The breeds have many similarities

Both hard-working breeds of dogs, German shepherds, and Belgian Malinois do share some similarities, including their loyalty to their owners, suitability as K9s and Military Working Dogs (MWDs), and their easy-to-maintain fur. But what exactly are the key differences between the two breeds?

German shepherds and Belgian Malinois have some key differences

Belgian Malinois, unlike German shepherds usually are not bred as pet companions. They find their true calling as police K9s, working in search and rescue or bomb and narcotic detection. Belgian Malinois also excel as guard dogs and are happiest when they are challenged physically and mentally in these duties.

German shepherds, while used in many of the same tasks as Belgian Malinois, are also bred to be companion animals. This makes German shepherds perfect for work as service dogs or as a family pet. Even when fulfilling the role as the family pet, a German shepherd can still act as a protector, guarding the family home against intruders.

Slightly different body structure

When it comes to build, the German shepherd is way more muscular. The Belgian Malinois smaller size makes them more suited as K9s and MWDs, with some departments and militaries using Belgian Malinois over German shepherds.

That’s not to say that German shepherds are not suited for such tasks, it’s just that the Belgian Malinois’s smaller size and higher agility make them better suited in many cases.

Differently shaped ears

The fur and body of the two breeds also have some key differences. When it comes to their ears, the Belgian Malinois’ ears are more triangular in shape in comparison to the German shepherd’s pointier ears.

The tails are also different

The tails of the two breeds are also slightly different. The German shepherd has a tail that is poofier than the Belgian Malinois’ more angled tail.

The German shepherd’s fur color is a little more varied

Color is also an area where a difference exists between a Belgian Malinois and a German shepherd. Belgian Malinois have a more solid color, whereas German shepherds tend to come in bi-colored varieties, including black and tan, red and black, and black and silver, among other colors.

Both make great pets

Either way, both breeds can make a great pet, depending on what you are looking for. The Belgian Malinois will work for you if you are looking for a dog that is fast and wants to take on serious tasks. A German shepherd might be perfect if you are looking for an active, yet more family-friendly dog.

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Sources: Yahoo!Life, PetHelpful