Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Belgian Malinois |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $39,603 |
| First year | $5,985 | $6,975 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $275 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $2,851 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 12 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 40 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 3.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $220 |
| Risk profile | Low | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 14% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | n/a | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Epilepsy | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 9% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | n/a | $316–$850 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Shepherd and $0 for the Belgian Malinois. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Australian Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois more expensive?
The Belgian Malinois is cheaper by about $3,929 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Belgian Malinois: 12 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Australian Shepherd's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Belgian Malinois it is skin disease, at 36%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.