Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Belgian Malinois | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,603 | $36,605 |
| First year | $6,975 | $6,305 |
| Monthly average | $275 | $270 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $2,831 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 12 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 80 lb | 50 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 3.5 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $200 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Degenerative myelopathy |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Degenerative myelopathy | 50% | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 11% | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin cancer/tumour | 6% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6% | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Corneal Ulcer | 5% | $469–$1,264 |
| Skin lump | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Colitis | 4% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Aortic stenosis | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Brachycephalic airway signs | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Belgian Malinois and $0 for the Boxer. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a Belgian Malinois or a Boxer more expensive?
The Boxer is cheaper by about $2,998 over a lifetime. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. Boxer: $36,605. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Belgian Malinois or a Boxer?
The Belgian Malinois has the longer typical lifespan. Belgian Malinois: 12 years. Boxer: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Belgian Malinois or a Boxer?
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 Boxer it is degenerative myelopathy, at 50%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.