Have you ever considered a mix between a Goldendoodle and a Belgian Malinois?
Chances are, it hasn’t crossed your mind. Yet, with the rising fame of Goldendoodles, they’re being paired with a wide array of breeds.
Continue reading to discover why this distinctive combination might be the next big thing in the dog world.
Breed Summary
A Goldendoodle-Belgian Malinois mix, often called the Golden Malinoodle, is a special dog that brings together the best of two incredible breeds.
The Goldendoodle is what you get when you mix a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
On the other hand, the Belgian Malinois is a super intelligent and helpful dog. When you combine, you get a friendly, intelligent, and loyal mix.
Golden Malinoodles are usually medium to big dogs. They can weigh anywhere from 40 to 80 pounds and can be 24 to 26 inches tall.
Their fur can be curly or a bit wavy, and they might be one color or a mix of a few. If you get sniffles around dogs, good news! They don’t shed much.
These dogs are really friendly. They’re great with kids and other pets.
They’re not just smart; they also love to learn new things. This makes them easy to train.
They have a lot of energy and love to play. They must get enough exercise to stay happy and healthy.
If your family loves to be outside, like going for walks, running, or jumping in the pool, the Golden Malinoodle could be the perfect dog for you.
Histories of the Parent Breeds
To really get to know this mix, we should learn a bit about the two main breeds it comes from.
Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
This breed was created in the United States in the 1990s to produce a hypoallergenic dog with a Golden Retriever’s friendly and loyal nature and the intelligence and low-shedding coat of a Poodle.
Golden Retrievers are originally from Scotland and were bred as hunting dogs.
They were used to retrieve game birds both on land and in water.
They are popular family pets today due to their friendly and gentle nature.
Poodles, on the other hand, were initially bred in Germany as water retrievers. They were used to retrieve ducks and other waterfowl for hunters.
Poodles are highly intelligent and have a low-shedding coat, making them an ideal breed for people with allergies.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a breed of dog that originated in Belgium.
They were initially bred as herding dogs, but their intelligence and trainability have led them to be used for various tasks, including police and military work.
Belgian Malinois are highly active and require a lot of exercise.
They are intelligent and trainable, which makes them ideal for tasks that require a high level of obedience and discipline.
Coat
The Golden Malinoodle has a special kind of fur. Sometimes, it’s medium-long and can be wavy or even curly. You might see this dog in gold, black, brown, or cream colors.
Because of their fur type, these dogs need regular care. Brushing them once a week can stop their fur from getting knotted.
They also like baths with dog shampoo to keep them clean and smelling good.
Some of these dogs might lose a bit of fur, but not all of them. Brushing them often can help with this.
The Golden Malinoodle’s fur differs from other dogs, and caring for it is essential to keep it looking nice.
Colors
The Golden Malinoodle can come in many different colors.
The Goldendoodle side can be from light cream to dark gold. On the other hand, the Belgian Malinois side can be a light fawn to a rich mahogany.
So, when you mix them, you get a lot of color choices! Here are some colors a Golden Malinoodle might be:
- Cream
- Gold
- Light brown (fawn)
- Dark brown (mahogany)
- Reddish-brown (red)
- Black
- Brown
- Light brownish-yellow (tan)
It’s cool to know these dogs might change color as they grow. A puppy might be one color and become different growing up.
Also, their fur might change a bit with the changing seasons. All in all, Golden Malinoodles have lots of coat color options.
Patterns
The Golden Malinoodle’s fur can look different depending on which parent they take after more.
The Belgian Malinois usually has short, straight fur that’s fawn, brownish-red, or black.
They also have a cool black pattern around their eyes and nose.
Meanwhile, the Goldendoodle has wavy or curly fur that can be cream, gold, red, or black.
So when you mix these two breeds, you get a lot of possible looks!
A Golden Malinoodle might have wavy fur with spots like the Belgian Malinois.
Or it might have longer, curly fur in different shades. Some Golden Malinoodles might even have a unique fur pattern called “merle.” It’s a mix of light and dark spots.
But, if two dogs with this pattern have puppies, the puppies might have health problems.
Ultimately, no matter what they look like, each Golden Malinoodle will have a unique and beautiful coat.
Size
Height
The Golden Malinoodle is a pretty big dog. Males usually stand about 22 to 26 inches tall from their feet to the top of their shoulders, while females are slightly shorter at 20 to 24 inches.
The size of this dog can change based on their parents since the Belgian Malinois is often bigger than the Goldendoodle.
Just like with people, how much they eat and how active they are can affect their size.
It’s important to feed them the right amount and make sure they get plenty of exercise to stay healthy.
If they overeat and don’t move around enough, they can get overweight, which isn’t good for their health.
So, the Golden Malinoodle is a big dog, but how big they get can depend on their parents and how they’re taken care of.
Weight
Golden Malinoodles, when fully grown, can have quite a range in weight due to the size differences in their parent breeds.
Males generally weigh between 60 and 80 pounds, while females usually fall in the 40 to 60-pound range.
It’s not just about genes, though. What they eat and how active they are can significantly influence their weight.
To keep them healthy, it’s a good idea to give them nutritious dog food and to avoid too many treats or human foods that might not be good for them.
Exercise is super important for this mix. Regular walks, play sessions, and even training activities can help them burn off energy and stay in shape.
Being active helps both their body and mind!
Temperament
The Golden Malinoodle, as some might call this mix, combines the best of both worlds.
They have the friendly, loving nature of the Goldendoodle with the keen intelligence and protectiveness of the Belgian Malinois.
One thing’s for sure – they’re full of energy! Whether it’s a game of fetch, a training session, or a long walk, they’re always up for activity.
They might get bored if left without proper exercise or mental challenges, and a bored dog can sometimes become mischievous.
These mixes bond deeply with their families. They’re usually great with kids and can be a playmate and protector.
Yet, the protective streak from their Belgian Malinois side means they might be wary of strangers or other animals.
Introducing them to various people, places, and pets when they’re young is essential to ensure they become well-rounded adults.
Affectionate is an understatement for this mix. They thrive on human interaction and love being involved in whatever their family does.
Whether it’s movie night on the couch or an adventure in the park, they’re happiest with their favorite humans.
While they bring a lot of joy and energy to a household, they also need a lot in return. Commitment to training, exercise, and socialization is critical.
But for those who can provide that, the Golden Malinoodle can be a wonderfully loyal and loving companion.
Health Issues
Like every dog breed, the Goldendoodle-Belgian Malinois mix can have predispositions, but they can lead healthy lives with attentive care.
It’s crucial to have regular vet check-ups, maintain a balanced diet, provide sufficient exercise, and attend to any noticeable changes in behavior or appearance.
A proactive approach will always work in favor of your pet’s health.
Furthermore, because this is a mix of two breeds, understanding the common health issues in the Goldendoodle and the Belgian Malinois can give you a better idea of what to watch out for.
Below are health issues that both parent breeds are susceptible to:
- Hip dysplasia: A hip joint malformation that can lead to arthritis.
- Elbow dysplasia: Abnormal development of the elbow joint.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A group of diseases that cause the retina to degenerate slowly over time.
- Epilepsy: A neurological condition that can cause seizures.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the lens in the eye.
- Bloat or Gastric Torsion: A life-threatening condition where the stomach twists on itself.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: A genetic blood clotting disorder.
- Patellar Luxation: Dislocation of the kneecap.
- Addison’s Disease: A condition where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones.
- Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland.
- Ear infections: Often due to wax buildup, ear mites, bacteria, or hair growth deep in the ear canal.
- Allergies: Can be environmental or food-related and cause skin irritations.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): A joint condition where cartilage doesn’t grow properly.
- Sub-aortic stenosis (SAS): A heart condition that is a narrowing of the base of the aorta.
- Sebaceous adenitis: A rare skin disease leading to hair loss.
It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to understand and address any health issues related to specific dog breeds.
It’s also worth considering genetic testing, as this can give you a heads-up about potential future health issues and allow you to take preventive measures.
Check out this mix!
