GSD/Malinois?

Is a Malinois the same or related to a German Shepherd? I've compared pictures of the two, and the only differences I see is the slope in the GSD's back and the darker color. Any clues? Did they start off from the same blood line?

I've gone back and looked at more pictures and there is an obviouse difference.. but they still look like similar dogs.

No, they are very different dogs. the Belgian dogs (the malinois, tervuren, lakenois and groenendale) are all related to each other but not closely to the GSD.
If you ever see an american GSD move you will know it! They have bred extreme angles into the rear of the american bred GSD's and they have a rather particular gait. No Belgian breed will walk like this.
Additionally, GSD's are a heavier boned dog than any of the belgians and the belgians also have a more elegant neck. The GSD also has a longer back than it is tall (making it rather rectangular in shape when stacked). The european bred GSD's do not have the extreme angulation in the hind end like the americans but will still be rectangular and much heavier in bone than the belgians.
The belgian breeds are about as long as they are tall making them more square looking when stacked.
To see it best, go to a dog show where you can see 20 or 30 of these dogs together (okay, maybe fewer of the belgians). Other than coloration and size, the dogs are very, very different. Once you see a bunch of them you'll be able to tell instantly.
Their personalities ae very different too. The belgian breeds have in their standard 'always in motion except when under command' so these are serious working dogs who have a lot of energy and need work. You'll see malinois used in europe for police work.

they are different dogs... Not by looks really, but where they are from...
go to the AKC website, then go to each of their respective clubs. It will have detailed descriptions of where they are from, what they were used for, and what they are being used for now.

IMO, if you are deciding about one or the other, I'd go with a GSD. German sheps are more laid back, easy going, good with kids... Malinois are known to be pretty headstrong, and not necessarily the best choice for a first time dog owner

They are different breeds. The Malinois is a Belgian dog. Read about the history of the two breeds here:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/belgian_malino...

http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepher...

They are similar, but are separate breeds. Belgian Malinois are typically a bit smaller and more high strung that GSD's, but are often used for the same jobs (i.e police or search and rescue work)

I think they are different breeds. Here is a site that might help.

http://www.american-belgian-malinois-clu...

All I know is that at my old clinic we did dentals on our police dogs and if you told the officer/handler his dog was a German Shepherd instead of a Belgian Malinois he would go off. All I know is that I wouldnt want to tick off either dog. Hope this site helps. Good luck