Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Belgian Malinois | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,603 | $27,727 |
| First year | $6,975 | $4,815 |
| Monthly average | $275 | $196 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $2,041 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 12 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 80 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 3.5 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $180 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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 |
| 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 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 6% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| 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 Chihuahua. 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 Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $11,876 over a lifetime. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. Chihuahua: $27,727. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Belgian Malinois or a Chihuahua?
The Belgian Malinois has the longer typical lifespan. Belgian Malinois: 12 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Belgian Malinois or a Chihuahua?
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 Chihuahua 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.