How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Cost? (2024 Updated)

Along with the popularity of the Belgian Malinois comes the curiosity of dog owners about how much it costs. Also known as the Belgian Shepherd, a lot of people wonder if getting this protection dog is worth every penny.

A lot of factors need to be considered in acquiring the fiercely loyal Belgian Malinois. On top of the dog itself, you also need to consider the costs of upkeep or maintenance to keep your dog physically and mentally healthy.

This article will help you make an informed decision by discussing everything you need to know about the Belgian Malinois’ cost. This will also give you tips on where to get one and how to save money in the process. 

How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Puppy Cost?

The average price of a Belgian Malinois from a reputable breeder can range from $800 to $3,500. This may be influenced by factors such as age, gender, pedigree, and the breeder’s reputation. However, if you plan to get one from a champion bloodline, you may need to budget around $4,200 to $10,000.

Given their use as rescue or police dogs, many owners or even rescue and security organizations prefer to get Belgian Malinois that are already trained and may cost even as high as $100,000.

These highly trained puppies are also socialized around small dogs, other animals, and even strangers. 

With the high cost of this protection dog, it is critical to only deal with very reputable breeders to get your money’s worth. This will ensure that you end up with a healthy and well-treated puppy.

On the other hand, coordinating with a backyard breeder or a puppy mill may get you a cheap puppy, but it may cost you more in the long run. You might end up spending more on vet expenses due to health problems.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Belgian Malinois From a Shelter?

If you’re unable to find an available Belgian Malinois puppy from a reputable breeder, you can also choose to adopt from legitimate rescue organizations and animal shelters.

While adoption fees may vary depending on the dog’s age, coat color, gender, and medical procedures, you can generally expect to pay between $300 to $800 to take home a Belgian Malinois.

Further, most Belgian Malinois from animal shelters are already adult dogs who have been surrendered or abandoned by their previous families. 

Adopting an older dog is not only cheaper, but it already has an established behavior. Hence, you can select one that best fits your lifestyle and environment. 

In fact, a friend of mine who has less time to train needed to look for an effective guard dog for his hardware shop that he can utilize right away. Instead of buying a puppy from a reputable breeder, he looked for a Belgian Malinois from a rescue near his area.

He got one who has not just been trained for protection but has a proven record of being amiable with its family, especially children. He has been with his new companion for three years now, who has done an excellent job of guarding his shop from intruders, especially at night.

First-Time Expenses of Belgian Malinois Ownership

When it comes to welcoming a Belgian Malinois breed into your home, there are some initial expenses to consider. While setting up a comfortable living space for your new dog isn’t too difficult, it requires financial planning. 

These figures also take into account maintenance and veterinary expenses that are necessary to keep your Belgian Malinois at the peak of its health.

Here are some of the initial expenses you need to consider as you acquire a Belgian Malinois puppy: 

• Food and Treats: Similar to other dogs, food and treats make up a big chunk of your Belgian Malinois puppy expense. To give your dog optimum nutrition, high-quality dog food must be considered. You need to set aside $70 to $110 for this critical need.
• Bowls: Excellent quality dog bowls are necessary to make your Belgian Malinois puppy comfortable during its mealtime. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls may cost you $10 to $30. 
• Toys: Toys are a great avenue to providing your Belgian Malinois the mental stimulation it needs. Additionally, these may also be utilized for training. The average cost of these toys would be around $30 to $60.
• Beds: A comfortable bed that is big enough for the Belgian Malinois might be worth $40 to $200. With the level of activity of this breed, rewarding it with a soft spot to sleep in is something it will definitely appreciate. You may get one that would last until your puppy becomes an adult dog.
• Collars and Leashes: A good leash and collar set is necessary for a lot of different purposes, like identification and training. Given the strength of this dog, allot $15 to $50 for a sturdy set.
• Crates and Carriers: There are a lot of instances where you need to travel with your dog, whether going to the dentist or bringing it along with you on vacation. You need a durable crate or carrier for this purpose. You need to budget around $50 and $370 for this.
• Grooming Essentials: Grooming is easy for a Belgian Malinois, given its short and waterproof coat. However, occasional grooming at home is still necessary to keep not just its coat but also its teeth, ears, and nails healthy. These essentials may cost around $50 to $160. This is a lower cost compared to hiring a professional groomer. 
• Initial Vet Visits: Regular visits to the veterinarian are an excellent way to maintain your dog’s health. This also prevents any unnecessary medical expenses by catching and treating possible illnesses before they get worse. Allot $100 to $500 for your vet fees. 
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Protecting your puppies from critical illnesses, such as parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and kennel cough, should make you worry-free. Set aside $50 to $200 for your puppy’s initial vaccines.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Healthy dogs must also be free from parasite-borne diseases. Hence, budget around $40 to $300 for deworming, tick, and flea medications to keep your puppies protected.
• Neutering or Spaying: Neutering and spaying affect dogs’ health positively, especially for those not planning to breed their dogs. These surgeries should cost around $50 to $500.
• Microchipping: Microchipping is a procedure done to make it easier for dogs to be located in case they get lost. For about $40 to $60, you can get this electronic device implanted on your dog’s back.
• Dog License: A dog license is very helpful for retrieving your dog if it goes missing. Since this is mandatory for most states in the country, you have to prepare $10 to $20 to get one.
• Other Essentials: Budgeting around $20 to $50 for other miscellaneous items to keep your house sanitized and to clean up after your Belgian Malinois. These items include sanitizers, odor neutralizers, poop bags and scoopers, and training pads.

Here is a summary of all the first-year expenses for your Belgian Malinois in a table form:

Based on this, it is understandable that the Belgian Malinois puppy price is not the only thing you need to consider at the onset of acquiring your first dog. 

Dog food, veterinary, and grooming costs are among the few that you need to add to your budget to keep these great dogs healthy and happy with their new environment. 

Annual Cost of Owning a Belgian Malinois

Following the initial year, the expense of raising a Belgian Malinois decreases. However, owning one is a lifetime commitment.

Hence, it is important to consider all its associated costs, from the puppy stage into its golden years. As a responsible owner, you must financially prepare in advance to ensure your dog’s welfare, year after year.

Here is a table summarizing the annual expenses of owning the Belgian Malinois breed:

Other Potential Expenses to Consider

Throughout your Belgian Malinois’ lifetime, there will be unforeseen instances where you need to spend for your dog outside your budget. This only means that you have not been aware that such an expense could exist.

Hence, like with other dog breeds, being aware of these emergency cases and unexpected events should help you be more financially prepared in case the need arises.

Below is a list of potential expenses that you may encounter as you own a Belgian Malinois:

• Dog Walking Services: Belgian Malinois dogs have a high level of energy. If owners are unable to commit the time to give dogs their daily walk, hiring professional dog walkers is an option. The cost of group walks for 30 minutes ranges from $15 to $25, while 1-hour walks can cost $20 to $50.
• Emergency Medical Expenses: Without pet insurance, one may suffer from the high cost of emergency medical treatment and professional vet fees. Nobody can predict when an emergency may happen, so it is wise to set aside $1,000 to $5,000 for any eventuality of one.
• Pet Boarding: If you plan on traveling for an extended period and do not know who to leave your Belgian Malinois, you may want to consider utilizing dog boarding services. The cost typically ranges from $20 to $85 per day, depending on the location and time of year. 
• Optional Vaccines: If your Belgian Malinois is a working dog and goes on duty in a lot of places, giving it additional shots against more critical illnesses will make you worry-free. Vaccines against Lyme disease, canine influenza, and leptospirosis may cost between $15 and $45 each.
• Kennel Club Registration: If you spent quite a lot to acquire a show-type Belgian Malinois, entering it in conformation shows and sporting events will require you to register them in kennel clubs. Registration fees may range between $80 and $200.

Though there could be other potential expenses that may be out of your radar, setting aside a part of your savings for those you are already familiar with should give you a financial advantage.

Best Places to Find Belgian Malinois Puppies for Sale and Adoption

When searching for a Belgian Malinois, it’s important to do your research and find a reputable breeder that can give you the healthiest puppy with the most appropriate behavior.

While you are on it, make sure to also avoid dealing with puppy mills and backyard breeders that practice unethical breeding methods. 

They may entice you with affordable puppy prices, but turn out to be unhealthy and of poor quality. Hence, you end up spending more on unnecessary veterinary costs.

Here are some sites to search for reputable Belgian Malinois breeders:

• AKC Marketplace – Since the Belgian Malinois is a registered purebred dog with the AKC, you may choose from reliable breeders of this breed from the AKC Marketplace. These breeders produce Belgian Malinois puppies that strictly follow the breed standards. This means that you are guaranteed the health and behavior of your dog. 

• American Belgian Malinois Club (ABMC) – As the official national breed club of the Belgian Malinois recognized by the AKC, ABMC breeders adhere to a strict breeder code of ethics. These breeders develop Belgians to perform at the highest level of their mental and physical capabilities. 
• KSDK Malinois – Based in Georgia, KSDK Malinois is a reputable breeder of AKC-registered Belgian Malinois puppies. Prior to breeding, all their breeding stock undergoes screening for any of the breed’s common genetic diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. They also specialize in breeding working dogs that excel in personal protection, detection, tracking, and search and rescue. 

If you find the Belgian Malinois price from reputable breeders a bit steep, you can consider adoption as a cheaper alternative. You might even end up with a retired yet trained protection dog.

As you go for this option, dealing with legitimate Belgian Malinois shelters and rescue organizations is still a must. They are responsible enough to ensure that a dog is rehabilitated before being put up for adoption.

Here are some well-recommended rescue groups and animal shelters you can consider in looking for a puppy or an adult Belgian Malinois:

• American Belgian Malinois Club (ABMR) – Initially a committee within the American Belgian Malinois Club, ABMR has grown into a non-profit rescue organization of its own. ABMR utilizes foster homes that take care of the dogs’ health, care, training, and socialization needs while looking for a permanent home for them.
• Malinois Rescue League (MRL) – Established in 2019, the Malinois Rescue League is a dedicated group of individuals who share a strong commitment to safeguarding the Malinois breed from abuse, neglect, and harm. The adoption price may reach as high as $2,000, depending on location, travel crate, and training costs.
• Malinois and Dutch Shepherd Rescue, Inc. – MAD Rescue is a non-profit organization committed to rescuing homeless Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. All their rescue dogs are spayed or neutered, rehabilitated, and placed in foster homes for proper attention before being put up for adoption. 

These canines coming from a rescue center may be purebred dogs or mixed breeds, but you can be assured that through a stringent application process, they will be matched with the families that best suit them. 

Additionally. regardless of what path you take to acquire your Belgian Malinois, it is your responsibility to research your dog’s lineage, behavior, medical history, and the reputation of the breeder or rescue.

Money-Saving Tips for Belgian Malinois Owners

The Belgian Malinois cost, along with its upkeep expenses, can be quite high. However, the good news is that there are many ways you can save as a Belgian Mal dog owner without sacrificing your pet’s quality of life.

Here are some ways you can ease the financial burden of owning a Belgian Malinois breed and still keep your furry friend healthy and happy:

• Adopt instead of buying. Like with other dog breeds, a great way to save money is to adopt Belgian Malinois puppies from shelters or rescue groups. Many rescue groups have adoption fees that are much lower than those of breeders. These adoptive dogs are also often already spayed or neutered and up to date on their shots.
• Look for discounts or buy items in bulk. It may be tempting to buy everything from the same pet store, but you’ll get the best deals if you check around for coupons, online deals, and discounts. Further, buying items in large quantities is usually offered at a lower cost.
• Make your own dog treats. It can be fun and easy to save money by making your own dog treats. You can find many easy recipes online, and you can change them to suit your dog’s tastes and dietary needs.
• Train your Belgian Malinois yourself. It can be expensive to hire professional dog trainers to turn Belgian Malinois puppies into effective guard dogs or sociable family members, but training your dogs yourself with the help of online materials can be a fun and rewarding experience. Leash, crate, and obedience training can all be done at home with the proper guidance.

Here is a video to help you get started on how to train your protection dog at a young age:

By following these tips, you can cut your Belgian Malinois’ cost of living, enjoy the companionship of your dogs, and still be able to set aside for important matters.

Final Thoughts

As you become more familiar with the factors affecting a Belgian Malinois’ price and where to look for one, you can now research efficiently and make a better decision when acquiring one.

While you take these considerations seriously, you also need to ensure that you look beyond the puppy’s price and financially prepare for the expenses of rearing one throughout your dog’s life.

With everything you have discovered about the cost of a Belgian Malinois, hopefully, you are now more ready to acquire one. Let us know what you think about the Belgian Malinois’ worth in the comments below.