How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Cost?

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The Malinois is originally from Belgium and is one of the four breeds of Belgian Shepherds. The other three varieties are Tervuren, Groenendael, and Laekenois. These Belgian Shepherd Dogs were developed in Belgium in the late 1800s and are registered in Belgium and France under the name Chien de Berger Beige. The Malinois was named after the city of Malines, where it was developed by breeders.

The Belgian Malinois first arrived in the US around 1911 and gained a lot of popularity. Some were used as military working dogs during the First World War. The breed became less common during the Great Depression, but enthusiasm for the breed returned in the late 1950s and early 1960s, becoming recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1959.

How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Cost?

A Belgian Malinois costs, on average, anywhere between $650 and $2,200. In general, the price will be affected by factors such as the history of the dog and its health condition, the inclusions, the breeder, and the geographical location.

At the time this article was written, there were more than 330 listings on the online pet classified website Puppies.com, with prices that start at around $100 and go up to $25,000 for a Service Dog-Blue AKC registered Belgian Malinois. However, most prices range from $650 to $1,600.

The price of a Belgian Malinois pup younger than 12 weeks old, which you can find on the official AKC Marketplace, ranges from $1,100 to $1,600. The majority of these reputable AKC breeders include a microchip, a full health checkup, lineage papers, vaccination, a hip guarantee, and deworming.

What is going to be included in the adoption fee?

When purchasing a Belgian Malinois dog from a reputable breeder, it should come with registration and bloodline papers, a health guarantee, up-to-date vaccinations, a health certificate, and a vet exam. Also, an AKC-registered puppy must come with all the adequate AKC paperwork.

What are the additional expenses?

In case you adopt a puppy from a seller out of state, then you have to consider the additional shipping costs which would be anywhere between $220 and $450 on top of the Belgian Malinois puppy price.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Dalmatian dog, American Eskimo, or Dogo Argentino.

It is very important to take into consideration the cost of owning a dog of this type, including all of the recurring expenses like dog sitting services, vet visits, grooming sessions, food, accessories, and toys.

You would easily spend more than $60 per month with a healthy dog, while in the unfortunate event of an unexpected health problem, you would spend several thousand dollars.

The Belgian Malinois is a highly energetic dog with a great temperament that can become restless or anxious if not properly trained and handled. It is absolutely essential that all Malinois are properly trained. These dogs will ideally be trained to perform a duty and take pride in doing so.

Belgian Malinois Puppy Overview

Like all Belgian shepherds, the Malinois is of medium size, a utility dog from the shepherd family. This breed is recognized by its cream fur and black ears, raised and facing forward.

Accepted colors for the Belgian Malinois are gray to tan, with a black mask, and shades of black on the chest, abdomen, and legs. The dimensions of the Belgian Malinois shepherd dog are 22 to 24 inches in height and 55 to 74 pounds in weight, having a rectangular body.

The Belgian Malinois shepherd dog is very intelligent, attentive, and sensitive to everything that moves around it, developing very close relationships with its owners. He needs a lot of socialization when he is a puppy, long outdoor activities and he wants to be around his owners all the time. With great training, this dog can become a great guard dog.

The average life span for a Belgian Malinois is 14 to 15 years old.

Important things to consider

The short coat of the Belgian Malinois is easy to maintain. Brush him regularly and bathe him only when absolutely necessary, because washing removes the protective layer of his fur. It is a breed that sheds constantly but even more twice a year.

Dogs of this breed often file their nails during activities on hard surfaces (walking on pavement), but check their nails regularly to make sure they don’t need trimming. Pay attention to your dog’s dental hygiene and brush his teeth at least two to three times a week.

Feed your Belgian Malinois two meals a day, between 1 and 1.5 cups of dry dog food. The amount required will vary depending on the animal’s size, age, and activity level. Your dog’s needs will change throughout his life and you should discuss this with your vet for specific advice. Make sure you always provide fresh, clean water.

Adult Belgian Malinois dogs are part of Navy SEAL teams and have been used in operations, including those that led to the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. These dogs wear body armor and can use night vision goggles. They can participate in parachuting for military operations.

Belgian Malinois are employed by the Secret Service to patrol the grounds of the White House.

Tips for saving money

As it is a relatively popular dog breed, you can have a good chance to find a Belgian Malinois at a local rescue group or adoption center. Take into consideration helping a rescue dog and local organization that really needs this, instead of paying thousands of dollars to a breeder who only wants to make a profit.