Belgian Malinois usually live to be 14 to 16 years old and become beloved parts of your family. They are loving and loyal pets who want to earn your praise and love. Bond with your Malinois by taking care of them, giving them attention, and being physically affectionate. They can do well in a variety of homes either with other pets or as the only dog. A well socialized Malinois does well in a home with other animals. Regardless of their breed, some dogs do better than others in homes with other animals based on their individual temperament. As a whole, Belgian Malinois are happy in homes with other animals. A Belgian Malinois should fit your lifestyle and your lifestyle should also fit the needs of a Belgian Malinois. Belgian Malinois are very active dogs and do best in environments where they have space to run and play. Life in a small apartment without any yard would be hard on a Belgian Malinois. Like all dogs, Belgian Malinois require time and attention to become well trained. They are also very loyal dogs and prefer to be around their owners and family. They do not enjoy being left alone for significant amounts of times without social interactions.  Belgian Malinois are very intelligent dogs who want to please their owners. They are very easy to train, in comparison to other breeds, but they need their trainer to be firm and consistent. You must be prepared to spend a significant amount of time, at least an hour a day, exercising your dog. This breed is a working dog and they do have a lot of energy. If they do not have opportunities to expend energy, such as through play or exercise, they can become destructive and act out. Belgian Malinois are great family dogs and enjoy being around children. They are extremely loyal to their owners and families and can be wary of strangers if they perceive them as a threat. This makes them great guard dogs, but they must be taught not to be overly protective of small children through proper socialization.  They are very loving with children but due to their larger size, they can unintentionally knock children over when playing. They also have strong herding instincts and may try to herd small children if not corrected.  Small children should be watched closely around pets since kids have a tendency to pull on dog's fur, ears, and tails, which can hurt a dog.

Summary:
Provide a loving home. Provide ample space for your dog to play. Commit to spending several hours each week to training. Watch your dog around small children, if applicable.