The coat is comparatively short and straight with a dense undercoat. The Belgian Malinois, when viewed from the side, should stand with all four feet solidly under the body and appear to be squarely built not long in body as the German Shepherd is. The tail reaches the hock though in the occasional Malinois is longer. While the tail should be carried in a down position a happy Malinois can and will carry the tail higher. The head is long and relatively narrow but the muzzle is not pointed as the Collie's is.
Eyes are of a medium size, almond shaped and medium to very dark brown.
The ears are triangular and erect, commonly set high on the head. They are not short and thick as the Siberian Husky's are but not as long and wide-set as a German Shepherd's. Puppies ears can be floppy until 3-4 months of age. Occasionally an adult will have a tipped over ear tip because of injury or an infection.