Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Belgian Malinois | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,603 | $39,348 |
| First year | $6,975 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $275 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 12 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 80 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 3.5 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12% | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11% | $252–$679 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Cancer | 8% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Belgian Malinois or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $255 over a lifetime. Belgian Malinois: $39,603. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Belgian Malinois or a Rottweiler?
The Belgian Malinois has the longer typical lifespan. Belgian Malinois: 12 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Belgian Malinois or a Rottweiler?
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 Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.