Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Belgian Malinois | Bernese Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,603 | $42,173 |
| First year | $6,975 | $7,935 |
| Monthly average | $275 | $348 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,800 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $3,661 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 12 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 80 lb | 70 to 115 lb |
| Daily food | 3.5 cups | 4.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $540 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Belgian Malinois or a Bernese Mountain Dog more expensive?
The Belgian Malinois is cheaper by about $2,570 over a lifetime. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. Bernese Mountain Dog: $42,173. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Belgian Malinois or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Belgian Malinois has the longer typical lifespan. Belgian Malinois: 12 years. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Belgian Malinois or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Belgian Malinois's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Bernese Mountain Dog 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.