The Belgian Malinois is known for its energetic, intelligent, friendly, and protective disposition. This is the dog breed that caught Osama Bin Laden (now that’s bad-ass!). However, this dog can also be a fantastic pet for the right owner.
It has puppy-like energy until 3 years of age and often up to 5 years. Its high activity level requires regular exercise. Without proper obedience training, this dog can be destructive and may become a nuisance.
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One Time Costs for Your Malinois
The average cost of a Belgian Malinois puppy is around $1,000. However, the price may go even higher if you are getting a trained adult. For example, a top protection canine named Vito is being sold at a hefty price of $65,000.
Aside from the above-mentioned expenses, you also need to take into consideration the following:
- Kennel
A Belgian Malinois is considered to be a medium-built dog that stands around 24 inches at the shoulder and has an average of 60 pounds when fully-grown. With these in mind, you need to buy a medium-sized crate with dimensions of at least 37”L x 25.125”W x 33.75”H.
One example of a cage that your Malinois can fit in is the ProSelect Empire Dog Cage which can be bought in two sizes. The medium one costs $334.99 while the large one with 42.25”L x 30.75”W x 41.25”H dimensions costs $459.99 at PetEdge.
- Carrier
A Malinois is very active in nature. You might have a difficult time handling it inside a vehicle during a trip to the vet or some random tour. For this purpose, you will need a carrier that is comfortable for both of you (to carry) and your dog.
One that will fit your Malinois is the Suncast Deluxe Pet Carrier which costs $79. This is made of durable wire and resin and comes complete with compartments, water and food tray, and is perfect for air and vehicle travel. You can even personalize it with your dog’s name.
- Toys
A Belgian Malinois needs to burn energy and be kept active in order to stay disciplined. Failing to do so may lead to it developing a destructive behavior. To prevent this, toys and other accessories can help alleviate, if not totally prevent this from occurring.
Belgian Malinois Online Store offers different toys for this specific breed ranging from $6.90 for a K9 Ball with Rope-Activity Dog Toy for Belgian Malinois up to $59.90 for the Two-Fisted Belgian Malinois Jute Bite Builder for Dog Bite Grip Training.
- Leash
Having a walk every day with your Belgian Malinois is a good form of exercise. Because it is strong and has a powerful pull, a high-quality leash is necessary to ensure that it doesn’t snap.
A variety of dog leashes are available in almost every pet store whether locally or online. Quality handcrafted leashes for Malinois start at $12.90 and go up to $69.90.
- Brush
A Belgian Malinois has a short coat, which requires little brushing. However, you still need to do it once in a while to get rid of any tangling and to relieve some stress from your canine. On top of these, you also get to bond with your dog.
For a Malinois’s coat type, it is recommended to use a rubber comb. It effectively removes excess fur while being gentle on your canine’s skin. Petco sells a Kong-Zoom Groom dog brush for $6.88.
Inclusions
Purchasing a Belgian Malinois from a reputable breeder usually includes freebies. A few of the most common include a health certificate and health guarantee from a certified veterinarian signifying that your new pet is in the pink of health, has up-to-date vaccinations, and registered with the American Kennel Club.
If you opt for a fully-grown Belgian Malinois that is specifically trained for protection purposes, your seller may provide you with some items you will need such as a durable leash or training accessories.
Recurring Expenses
- Diet
The type of food that you decide to feed your dog is a very important factor when it comes to caring for its health.
If you’re on a tight budget there are plenty of generic dog food brands available online or at your local market. The most affordable ones only cost about $1 per pound at Rover.com. However, it is always advisable to spend more in order to get food created specifically for the breed.
A Belgian Malinois is extremely frisky and requires a lot of energy for its various activities. To sustain this constant exertion of energy during daily exercise, a plenteous source of nutrients like protein and vitamins is required.
One of the best-recommended types of dog food for Belgian Malinois is Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken. The high-quality protein and other nutrients contained within will be more than enough to ensure that your dog maintains a healthy and active lifestyle. It also has a good number of probiotics to keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly. A 21-lb bag costs $66.49 at Chewy.
- Treats
There are a wide variety of treats you can give to your Malinois. You can give these throughout the day as a prize for doing good on obedience training or as a reward for being well-mannered.
You can also use treats to supplement your dog’s daily meals – just make sure to not to overfeed it! Your pet may not want to eat its regular meals otherwise. At Pet Mountain, there’s plenty of treats to choose from. Prices start at around $3.97.
- Grooming
A Malinois doesn’t require much maintenance. The only grooming services you will need to keep in mind are nail trimming and ear canal cleaning which you can do on your own.
If you don’t have the time or the capacity to do so, you can seek the help of professionals. Nail trimming can cost $10 while a combo of nail trimming and ear cleaning and plucking can cost $15.
- Training Costs
Malinois dogs need to begin obedience training at an early age in order to start them off on the right path. If you wait until they age, it can be tough to wean them off the bad habits.
There are plenty of tutorials that can show you how to self-train your pup, but another option is to enroll your dog in training classes. These usually run for about 6 weeks and cost $119 on the average.
- Medical Costs
Belgian Malinois, like most dogs, are susceptible to a variety of illnesses that can have disastrous effects. Some of the most common viruses to afflict dogs are Canine Distemper (CD), Hepatitis, Adenovirus Type 1 & 2, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. The cost of the vaccines ranges from $19 to $39 per shot.
Keep in mind that each vaccination type is usually given in two doses about 3-4 weeks apart, and additional booster shots may be given as directed by your vet.
If you aren’t intending on being a breeder, neutering your puppy shows that you are a responsible pet owner. It is a necessary procedure in order to prevent any unwanted pregnancy, especially if you are not capable of taking care of the newborn litter.
This procedure costs $70 to $90 with an additional $2.50 per pound of weight for dogs over 30 pounds.
- AKC Registration
This part is actually optional. If you just intend to keep your dog as a house pet, AKC registration isn’t really necessary. However, if you plan on enrolling your dog in some competitions, this would be very important.
AKC registration is typically a requirement for any dog shows and competitions since it ensures that the dog came from purebred parentage as certified by AKC itself.
When you buy from a reputable breeder, the listing fee of the litter is usually already paid. The only thing you need to shoulder is when you need to transfer the dog under your name. This typically costs $34.99.
Factors Affecting Belgian Malinois Price
The costs for Belgian Malinois puppies do not vary much, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. However, you will need to spend more if you opt for pups coming from top-caliber lineages.
If you’re buying an adult one that has already undergone a professional class as a protection dog, this will cost you a fortune. You will also have to provide it with items it needs to stay fit and obedient such as training tools.
Interested on Having One? Read This
AKC has recognized Belgian Malinois as a separate breed since 1959. It is important to ask for a certification from the seller to ensure that the puppy you will be getting is purebred.
A Belgian Malinois is very difficult to manage and demands much attention from its owner. Without proper obedience training, it can develop a very destructive behavior and can put the people around it in danger. If you cannot provide the devotion it needs, you’re better off without it.
It is important to do a kennel visit in order to gauge the kind of breeder you are dealing with. Make sure to get your Belgian Malinois from a seller who produces dogs with good temperament.
