Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Belgian Malinois | Dachshund |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,603 | $36,365 |
| First year | $6,975 | $5,965 |
| Monthly average | $275 | $216 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $2,241 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 12 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 80 lb | 16 to 32 lb |
| Daily food | 3.5 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $220 |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 10% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 5% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 4% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Pancreatitis | 2% | $254–$682 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Intervertebral disc disease | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Belgian Malinois and $0 for the Dachshund. 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 Dachshund more expensive?
The Dachshund is cheaper by about $3,238 over a lifetime. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. Dachshund: $36,365. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Belgian Malinois or a Dachshund?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Belgian Malinois: 12 years. Dachshund: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Belgian Malinois or a Dachshund?
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 Dachshund 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.