What is the difference between a German Shepherd and a Malinois? The German Shepherd is a large dog, slightly longer than its height, while the Malinois is a medium-sized dog with a well-proportioned square shape. The outer coat of the German Shepherd is dense, while the coat of the Malinois is quite short, straight and hard. Most German shepherds have black-gray coats, or gray-white belly and black-grey back. Malinois are basically light tan to reddish brown, with black faces and ears.

　1. Physical shape

The Malinois is a medium-sized dog with a well-proportioned square shape. German Shepherds are large dogs, slightly longer than they are tall.

2. Hair quality

The Malinua coat is rather short, straight and stiff. The outer coat of the German Shepherd is as thick as possible, and the hair is straight and thick.

　3. Coat color

The basic color of the Malinois is light tan to reddish brown, with a black face and ears. Most of the German Shepherds have black-gray coats, or gray-white belly, and black-gray back, so they are commonly called "black-backed".