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Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix: Meet the Affectionate Hardworking Dog

Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix

The relationship between dogs and humans has grown such that 3 out of 10 households own a dog.

One thing about this relationship is that we humans know very little about dogs; in some cases, dog owners don’t even know what breed their dog is.

Yes, there are different breeds of dogs, some being purebred while others are hybrid. So, in this post, you will learn about the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback mix.

Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is quite a popular hybrid dog which means it’s a result of crossbreeding a Belgian Malinois and a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

As a hybrid dog, it’s pretty hard to get a read on the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback since most of its traits, features, and personality tend to mirror those of the parent whose genes are the most dominant.

So, before you understand the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback, you first have to learn about its parents’ history.

The Belgian Malinois

As one variety of the Belgian Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois’s origins can be traced back to Belgium. The Belgian Malinois was initially bred to be working dogs, and due to their high level of intelligence and energy, they also excel at many tasks.

Most people tend to confuse the Belgian Malinois with the German Shepherd. Still, the temperament and body structure of the two breeds are different since the Belgian Malinois is smaller and has lighter bones.

The Belgian Malinois is usually shorthaired, fawn-colored, and with a black pigmentation around its mouth.

During the first world war, the Belgian Malinois served in the military performing simple jobs such as being cart and messenger dogs. The Belgian Malinois is a powerful, intelligent, confident, protective, and energetic dog.

A full-grown Belgian Malinois weighs between 55 – 75 lbs. and reaches a height between 22 – 28 inches. The average lifespan of a Belgian Malinois is between 10 -12 years.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback

Originating from the southern regions of Africa, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred to be a guardian and a versatile hunter. When big game hunting became popular, the Rhodesian Ridgebacks were identified as the perfect breed for the hunt, which involved hunting lions, boars, and bears.

Today the Rhodesian Ridgebacks are mainly kept at home but have to be trained to live with other pets due to their high prey drive. This breed is known to be very smart though there are times that they can be quite stubborn; hence they need an experienced owner.

The Rhodesian Ridgebacks are only found in one color, which is wheaten, but their nose has two colors, black and the less noticeable brown.

A full-grown Rhodesian Ridgeback stands between 24 -27 inches high and weighs between 65-90 lbs. The average lifespan of a Rhodesian Ridgeback is between 10 -12 years with good care.

Why Is Owning a Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback A Bad Idea?

  • The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is a very independent dog, making it quite hard to train them.
  • They are known to be a bit aggressive to other animals making it hard for you to own other pets.
  • They are known to be susceptible to some severe health conditions due to their genetic composition. Some of the most common health problems they face include elbow and hip dysplasia, dermoid sinus, and epilepsy
  • They are very active, which means that they require to be tired out for them to rest.
  • They are strong-willed, making breaking some of their behaviors quite hard.

Why Having a Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Is the Right Choice for You

  • They are loyal, protective, and agile, making them the perfect guard dog.
  • They possess a high intelligence score that makes them easily trainable, but it’s important that you start their training while they are still young pups.
  • The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgebacks are the perfect exercise partner with their high energy levels.
  • They have an excellent sense of smell which makes them excellent hunting dogs if you are into hunting.
  • Proper training can be used as guide dogs, especially for the elderly and visually impaired.
  • Their maintenance cost is relatively low since they don’t shed or drool

The Appearance of The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback

Like most hybrid dogs, the appearance of the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback heavily depends on which parental genes are dominant.

Some Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgebacks have erect ears, while others have floppy ones. A black pigmentation with a hint of brown covers the area around the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback’s face.

The bodies of the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback are mostly covered with fur with a straight texture.

The body structure of the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is usually medium-sized, square, and well-proportioned, which accounts for its agility.

A grown Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback weighs between 60 – 90 lbs. and stands between 23- 27 inches tall.

The Personality of a Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known to be strong-willed and possess a strong and posing personality.

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is quite a jealous dog breed, especially if they notice that you aren’t paying them enough attention.

Like most dogs, this breed likes cuddling and hates being alone. Despite the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback’s reputation of being aggressive if raised properly with adequate training, they are known to be quite friendly towards kids, strangers, and other pets.

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback will portray its alpha mentality when and if there is another male dog which is why it’s not recommended to have two male Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgebacks in one household.

The Coat and Color of The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback

When it comes to the coats, the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback’s coat can either be a double cote or wire coat, but one common thing is that the coat is covered by straight textured fur. The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback coat length is slightly shorter than other furry dog breeds.

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback can be found in many colors: black, cream, brindle, fawn, grey, or wheaten. If the dominant gene of your Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is that of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, then your dog is most likely to be predominantly wheaten.

Traits Of The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback

Since the personality of the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is largely dependent on their parents, that results in them sharing their parents’ character traits.

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback come from a hunting background; thus, they are very agile, quick, strong, and fast, reaching a top speed of about 35 mph.

Other character traits of the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback include:

  • Their aggression levels are above average
  • Due to their intelligence levels, their ability to follow orders is high
  • Since they are from a hunting and herding background, their fighting skills are elite when compared to most dog breeds
  • Their burrowing and digging tendencies are very low, and they only do that when they are bored or want to cool off
  • They are very protective of their owners
  • Their hunting skills are above average

Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix Puppies for Sale

Since the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is a designer dog, they are mostly found at pet shops or dog breeding farms. You must be cautious when adopting a Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback pup.

Always ensure that the breeder is certified and gives you a detailed report on the medical history of the pup’s parents.

What Are the Grooming Needs for A Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback

The fur on the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is usually shorter and straight, which makes their grooming much easier.

This dog breed is among the dogs that have the lowest maintenance costs. Still, regular baths are advised but ensure that they aren’t that often that their skin dry’s off, so a shower twice or thrice a month is best.

Trimming your dog’s nails is advised, especially when they begin touching the ground while they walk. Suppose you don’t know how to trim your dog’s claws; it’s best if you seek help from a professional dog groomer or the vet. When brushing your dog’s coat, always check for the presence of ticks, fleas, and other pests.

Also, remember to check your dogs’ paws for any signs of wounds or sores. Never tie your dog outside because it’s inhumane, and always ensure the kennel and the dog bed are clean before you let your dog lay in them.

Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix Health Problems

As stated above, the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is susceptible to most health problems that face their parents, which is why it’s necessary to inquire about the medical history of your dog’s parents.

Some of the most common health conditions that the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback faces include:

  • Bloat
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Deafness
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Eye problems
  • Patellar luxation
  • Cancer
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Heart problems

Despite facing the possibility of such serious conditions, the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback can live between 10-12 years.

Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix Food Requirements

for your Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback to live a healthy life, you must ensure that it gets the nutrients it needs. It’s often a misconception that you can feed any dog food to any dog, so starting now, know that isn’t the case.

Each dog breed has different nutritional requirements, so once you adopt a dog, it’s wise that you consult your doctor on what food is best for your Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback mix.

Pro tip since Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgebacks are prone to elbow, and hip dysplasia, ensure that you supplement their meals with glucosamine, chondroitin, and fish oil.

Also, a Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback meal should contain enough calories and ensure that our dog stays hydrated. Raw food diet is also beneficial to Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback.

What Are the Exercise Requirements for A Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix?

Exercise is very important for any living thing to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For an active dog breed like the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback, at least an hour of exercise is advised. You can plan daily walks or hikes so your dog burns the excess energy.

It is also recommended that you give your dog chew toys so that they exercise their teeth. Brain exercises are also recommended for your Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you keep their minds sharp and engaged so that they don’t get bored and become destructive.

What Are the Training Requirements for The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback?

Due to Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgebacks being strong-willed, training them can be quite challenging, especially if you begin the training sessions when they are already grown.

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback training sessions must be conducted by an experienced dog owner or a professional trainer, and the sessions must be consistent.

When training your dog, it’s important to ensure that the sessions are short and to the point because the attention span of the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is average.

Also, ensure you train your dog on how to behave when around other pets. Positive reinforcement and treats are good motivators when conducting training sessions. Remember, never shout at your dog when they do something wrong.

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix and Families

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback is a very good family dog since its protective, loyal, playful, and loving. Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback isn’t recommended if you live in an apartment, but they can be trained.

Stress isn’t good for any living thing, so always ensure that you’ve taught your kids how to behave when around the dog because the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback can be very aggressive when stressed. This breed isn’t advisable for a household with young infants.

Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix and Other Pets

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate other pets, especially when they are brought up together.

It isn’t advisable to have more than one male Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback in a single household since Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback tends to exhibit the alpha mentality.

So, for the Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback to coexist with other animals, ensure that you introduce them during their puppy years.

Is This Mix Right for You?

The Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback can be quite stubborn. Still, with proper training, you’ll find that they are one of the best dog breeds to own.

So, before adopting a Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback, ensure that you are fully prepared for all the responsibilities that come with it.