Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Belgian Malinois | Boston Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,603 | $30,787 |
| First year | $6,975 | $5,715 |
| Monthly average | $275 | $217 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $2,241 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 10 |
| Median lifespan | 12 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 80 lb | 12 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 3.5 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $180 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, early onset |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Brachycephalic airway signs | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Corneal ulceration | n/a | $469–$1,264 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Belgian Malinois and $0 for the Boston Terrier. 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 Belgian Malinois or a Boston Terrier more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $8,816 over a lifetime. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. Boston Terrier: $30,787. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Belgian Malinois or a Boston Terrier?
The Belgian Malinois has the longer typical lifespan. Belgian Malinois: 12 years. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Belgian Malinois or a Boston Terrier?
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 Boston Terrier 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.