Malinois vs. Groenendael vs. Tervuren vs. Laekenois
Here's something that surprises a lot of people: the Malinois isn't really a separate breed from the Groenendael, Tervuren and Laekenois — in most kennel club systems, all four are the same breed, "Belgian Shepherd," split into four varieties purely by coat type and colour. Temperament, size and working ability are essentially shared across all four.
The four varieties at a glance
| Variety | Coat | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| Malinois | Short | Fawn to mahogany, black mask and overlay |
| Groenendael | Long | Solid black |
| Tervuren | Long | Fawn to mahogany, black overlay (same colour range as the Malinois) |
| Laekenois | Rough / wiry | Fawn, minimal black overlay |
Groenendael: the long-coated black variety
The Groenendael is instantly recognisable by its solid black, long, flowing coat — actually the first of the four varieties to gain wide recognition historically. Temperament and working ability track closely with the Malinois, though the long coat means substantially more grooming upkeep. This is the variety people are usually picturing when they ask about a "black Malinois" — see our piece on coat colors and markings for more on that mix-up.
Tervuren: the long-coated Malinois-colour variety
The Tervuren shares the Malinois's exact colour range — fawn to mahogany with black overlay and mask — but has a long, double coat closer to the Groenendael's in texture and grooming needs. If you love the Malinois's colouring but want a fuller, more dramatic coat, the Tervuren is essentially that combination.
Laekenois: the rare, rough-coated variety
By far the rarest of the four, the Laekenois has a distinctive rough, wiry, tousled coat and a lighter fawn colouring with minimal black overlay. Originally developed partly as a linen-guarding farm dog, it shares the working temperament of the other varieties but is uncommon enough that finding a breeder can take real searching in most countries.
Why the Malinois became the most recognised
The Malinois's short, low-maintenance coat made it a practical default for police, military and working roles where grooming upkeep is a real operational consideration — likely a significant factor in why it's become by far the most visible and widely bred of the four varieties, even though all four share essentially the same underlying temperament and working ability.
Choosing between them
If temperament and working ability are your priority, the choice largely comes down to coat preference and grooming tolerance — short and low-maintenance (Malinois), long and dramatic (Groenendael or Tervuren depending on desired colour), or rare and rough-coated (Laekenois). Availability varies enormously: outside Belgium and a handful of enthusiast circles elsewhere, Malinois are by far the easiest of the four to actually find.