🐾 The Confusion: Malinois vs. Melanoid
🐾 The Confusion: Malinois vs. Melanoid If someone mentions a "Belgian Melanoid," they are most likely trying to talk about the Belgian Malinois (pronounced mal-in-wah). This is one of the most popular and widely recognized of the four Belgian herding breeds. Because "Melanoid" sounds similar, it's an easy mix-up. To add to this, some online sources casually use "Melanoid" to describe the Malinois' appearance, noting their dark features and weight. Another source of confusion is the word's meaning. In a genetic context, "melanoid" refers to an excess of eumelanin, the pigment responsible for black and brown colors in fur and skin. The Belgian Shepherd breed exclusively produces black eumelanin (and not brown/liver), making the deep black coats seen in some varieties a perfect real-world example of this pigment at work. 🇧🇪 The Belgian Shepherd: One Breed, Four Stunning Looks All four Belgian Shepherd varieties share a com...
