How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Cost? (2024 Price Guide) (2024)

Due to high demand, the Belgian Malinois is considered one of the most expensive dog breeds you will ever find!

But aside from how much the Belgian Malinois costs, there are other expenses you would need to spend throughout their lifespan.

To help you determine if your current finances can shoulder the Belgian Malinois price, don’t skip any section in this article.

I have detailed every possible necessity of the breed along with their initial price to help you plan financially.

The Average Cost of a Belgian Malinois Puppy

The price of a Belgian Malinois can range from $1,000 to $3,500, but this can still go upwards, especially if you are after show-quality dogs. Some of the factors that generally affect the Belgian Malinois puppy price are age, bloodline, temperament, physical features, and markings.

Reputable breeders who produce champion Belgian Malinois usually advertise their pups for $7,000. This may sound unreasonably high, but this guarantees that the puppy has excellent temperament, appearance, and strength.

If you’re adamant about paying thousands of dollars for a Belgian Malinois, you can always opt for adoption. This is inarguably nobler and at the same time, more practical.

Mals from rescues only cost a few hundred dollars, and they already come with vaccinations.

READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Belgian Malinois: Which Is Better?

Factors Affecting the Cost of a Belgian Malinois Puppy

Belgian Malinois breeders don’t just randomly assign a high price for this breed to gain more profit. Their pricing is based on several factors such as age, bloodline, breeding process, and a lot more.

If you want a more detailed list, here are the factors that affect the price of a Belgian Malinois:

• Age: A younger pooch is expected to have more vigor compared to an adult dog. Thus, a Belgian Malinois puppy usually costs higher compared to an adult Belgian Malinois. Despite the high price, you will have a dog that is raised together with your family.
• Location: The distance of the breeder’s location from your home would matter if you want your new Belgian Malinois pup delivered. The travel and transportation cost would add to the total expenses of acquiring a pooch, thus leading to a higher price tag.
• Registration Papers: Breeders require payment for their effort in securing registration papers from recognized dog registries such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). You can buy a purebred dog without these papers at a much lower price, but questions can be raised about the health status, lineage of your dog, and conformity to the breed standards.
• Size: The largest puppy in a litter has a great chance to be a trained protection dog. Thus, they are sold at a much steeper price. On the same note, bigger dogs tend to eat larger quantities than the average-sized ones, thus increasing the owner’s daily expenditure on dog food.
• Training and Socialization: Some Belgian Malinois breeders subject their dogs to obedience training at a young age to ensure that their future owners won’t have problems with their behavior. Of course, training isn’t cheap, and the cost is added to the total price of the puppy.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, some other factors such as gender, coat color, breeder’s reputation, demand for a Mal in a particular location, and spaying or neutering may affect the price of a Belgian Malinois.

You have to consult with the breeder to learn about all these so you can assess if their price point is reasonable.

While you’re at it, check out this video of the Belgian Malinois in action to know what makes them a sought-after dog breed:

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

Adopting a Belgian Malinois from a shelter or rescue center would only cost you around $300 to $800. This is a pretty great deal considering that a Belgian Mal costs up to $3,500 on average from a reputable breeder.

Rescued Mals are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and have complete registration papers. They also underwent retraining and behavioral modification prior to being rehomed.

However, if you choose to adopt, there is a great chance that you’ll get adult dogs that are already past their prime.

Some animal shelters and rescues also do not disclose the history of their dogs, so you are left with no clue regarding their past.

READ NEXT: 13 Ways to Find Free Puppies in Your Area for Adoption (2023)

Initial Cost of Belgian Malinois Ownership

The Belgian Malinois puppy price is not the only financial requirement you need to prepare for when you decide to tend to this breed.

You also have to consider the cost of their essential needs to keep them healthy, safe, and happy.

For your convenience, we have listed all the basic items that you need to buy for your Belgian Malinois as it transitions to your home:

• Food and Treats: An active dog like the Belgian Malinois needs to be fed with high-quality kibble for the best nutritional value. Additionally, you need to have treats on-hand for training. A bag of high-quality dog food and treats costs around $100 to $120.
• Food and Water Bowls: You have a wide range of options in choosing a feeding bowl for your Belgian Malinois. However, the most important consideration here is the size of the bowl. Belgian Mals eat a lot, so it’s better to buy a plus-size feeding bowl. A pair of good-quality feeding bowls cost around $15 to $35.
• Bed: Choosing a dog bed of excellent quality is your first step to preventing your pooch from developing abnormal physical conditions such as hip dysplasia. A suitable bed for a Belgian Mal is priced between $50 and $200.
• Crate: Providing a sizable and sturdy dog crate for your Belgian Malinois is necessary, knowing how big and active they are. A dog will naturally look for their private den in their owner’s house when they feel tired or stressed. Prepare around $60 to $500 to set up a large, durable dog crate.
• Leash and Collar: Invest in a good-quality leash and collar for your Belgian Malinois because it’ll come in handy when you walk or train them outside. A durable and rust-free leash and collar cost about $15 to $50 as a pair.
• Toys: A teething Belgian Malinois puppy would love to chew on anything to relieve the pressure on its gums. As the pup grows older, expect that they will continue this habit as a way to exercise their jaw or to release pent-up energy. A durable chew toy would cost around $30 to $50 per piece.
• Grooming Essentials: Belgian Mals are moderate shedders, so they require occasional bathing and grooming. A good-quality dog brush, organic dog, sharp nail trimmer, and other grooming tools typically amount to between $40 and $180.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Belgian Malinois dogs have lush coats, so they are highly susceptible to infectious skin parasites such as fleas and ticks. They also need to be dewormed to prevent internal parasites like roundworms and heartworms. Deworming, flea, and tick medication will cost you around $50 to $200.
• Initial Vet Visits: Within the first month of having your Belgian Malinois, you need to pay a visit to your veterinarian. Several consultations may cost between $100 and $300, depending on the consultation done. Vets usually perform a basic health check-up to see if your dog is growing normally.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Breeders and rescue shelters often have their pups vaccinated before sending them to their new families. However, most puppies often need additional vaccine shots. This usually costs around $75 to $200.
• Neutering and Spaying: There are numerous benefits to getting your dog neutered or spayed. It reduces the risk for certain cancers and also helps your pup become well-tempered. The cost of surgery often ranges from $50 to $500.
• Dog License: Getting a dog license is required to ensure that your Belgian Malinois can easily be found in case it gets lost. An identifying number is issued to the dog owner along with a tag bearing the contact details of the licensing organization. The fee for registration ranges from $10 to $20.
• Microchip: For around $40 to $60, you can get your Belgian Malinois microchipped by a veterinarian. The microchip should contain all relevant contact information about the owner which increases the chance of getting the dog back as quickly as possible to its fur parent.
• Miscellaneous Supplies: Cleaning up your dog’s urine and stool shouldn’t be messy. This is why many pet owners have a urine cleaner, poop scooper, poop bag, and other cleaning tools in handy wherever they go walking with their pup. These, along with other essential dog supplies, are priced between $15 and $30.

Given below is the breakdown of initial expenses of owning a Belgian Malinois:

You should have already purchased all the essentials above by the time you take your Belgian Malinois home. Some of these items can last your dog for a long time, like the dog bed, leash and collar, and feeding bowl.

But then again, it is up to you to preserve the service life of these items. Keep in mind that you can save more money if you refrain from repurchasing your dog’s accessories.

READ NEXT: Belgian Malinois Shedding: A Comprehensive Guide

Annual Cost of Owning a Belgian Malinois

Owning a Belgian Malinois might be a difficult task for some since it encompasses a lot more than the ongoing cost of food and other dog supplies.

As your dog continues its growth and development, you should be able to provide them with their regular medical needs, so expect the cost to be a bit intimidating.

Here’s a complete summary of the annual expenses of owning a Belgian Malinois:

The recurring costs of owning a Belgian Malinois mostly include food, treats, and other essential needs. However, you also need to take into account the cost of grooming your pup.

The cost of grooming tools such as a slicker brush, deshedding comb, shampoo, dryer, and nail trimmer ranges from $200 to $500.

Routine veterinary care is also required to monitor certain health problems that affect dogs including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. Annual vet consultations can amount to $200 to $400.

To ease the financial burden of expensive vet bills, you should also invest in pet insurance. This covers emergency treatments like total hip replacement, injuries, and other diseases.

Insurance companies often charge between $800 and $1,500 yearly depending on the chosen policy.

Take note that these numbers are conservative estimates. Your actual yearly expenditure may still change depending on different situations.

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Other Potential Expenses

At some point, you’ll need to go off your budget when tending to a Belgian Malinois. You may find yourself unable to avoid certain expenses like pet daycare services when you are busy with work.

Here’s a list of other potential expenses for a Belgian Malinois:

• Pet Daycare: You can’t simply ask a relative or a neighbor to look after your Belgian Malinois if you’re leaving for a two-week business trip. Chances are, they are not really equipped to take care of a pet dog. This is when a pet daycare comes in as a more convenient option. Pet daycares charge around $20 to $30 per day.
• Grooming Services: If you have a busy week at work, it will be hard to mind your pet’s hygiene. You can avail yourself of professional grooming services for your Belgian Malinois, which cost around $30 to $60 per session.
• Emergency Medical Procedure: Serious health problems may suddenly affect certain canines, and not even a fierce protection dog like the Belgian Malinois is immune to those. If your dog is already past its prime years, appropriate medical treatment must be done to avoid further deterioration. An emergency medical treatment may cost between $1,000 and $5,000.

Note that these expenses can be optional, except for emergency medical treatment. As you go along, you can figure out ways to avoid these expenses altogether, which will save you more money.

Places to Find Belgian Malinois Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Unlike other dog breeds, it could be a bit of a challenge to find a Belgian Malinois puppy. Only reputable Belgian Malinois breeders are more likely to raise these purebred dogs because they are high maintenance.

To help you with your search, I have listed some breeders and rescues known to offer quality Mals in the United States. These sources are all reputable, so you are assured you won’t encounter a backyard breeder.

Here are some of the reputable breeders you can trust to find Belgian Malinois puppies for sale:

• OT Vitosha Malinois – Being in this business since 1989, OT Vitosha breeds Belgian Malinois with only the best breeding standards. Their kennel is based in Tampa, Florida, where their Belgian Mal puppies are trained to become either efficient guard dogs or show-quality dogs.
• Naylor Belgian Malinois – Operating on the East Coast, Naylor Belgian Malinois is a new breeder, but they have proven to be very reliable in delivering functional and healthy dogs. In their kennel, the dog’s health is given topmost priority as all their litter are raised in a stress-free environment and fed with nutritious organic food.
• European Belgian Malinois – This reputable breeder based in North Carolina takes pride in its masterful breeding and training program. They carefully study the genetics of their Belgian Malinois so that no genetic defect can be passed down to the next generation of canines.

RELATED: 10 Best Belgian Malinois Breeders (2023): Our Top 10 Picks!

Meanwhile, here are some Belgian Malinois shelters and rescue centers where you can find an older dog for adoption:

• Southern California Belgian Malinois Rescue (SoCalBMR) – SoCalBMR understands how fiercely loyal the Belgian Malinois breed is. Hence, their group is just as fierce in finding a suitable new home for every abandoned Belgian Mal in California. Their rescue dogs are vaccinated and microchipped before rehoming.
• American Belgian Malinois Rescue (ABMR) – Volunteers at ABMR made it their life’s mission to find new families for Belgian Malinois dogs who were abandoned and neglected. Many of the dogs in their shelters are retired police dogs.
• Malinois Rescue League – This rescue was founded in 2019 by a group of passionate individuals from all across the globe. However, adoption fees may reach up to $2,000 depending on the training received by the rescue dog and shipping costs.

To ace your adoption application at any of the rescues above, check out our ultimate dog adoption guide. It offers several tips on how to impress rescue organizations as well as how to prepare for the arrival of your dog.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Dog Adoption: Process, What to Ask and Tips to Get Approved

Money-Saving Tips for Belgian Malinois Owners

It is unavoidable to spend on unexpected costs for your Belgia Mal. However, you can always make some adjustments to cut back on these extended costs. All you need to do is become more diligent and creative in finding alternatives.

Here are some money-saving tips you can use as a Belgian Malinois owner:

• Make food and treats for your dog. Instead of providing your Belgian Mal with store-bought dog food and treats, you can learn how to make these on your own. Through this, you’ll have more control over the ingredients of your homemade dog food, including the price of each ingredient.
• Groom your dog at home. There is no question about the skills of professional dog groomers when it comes to their job, but if you want to save money, you can try to learn their techniques. Once you figure out how to properly groom your Belgian Malinois, then you can allot the payment for weekly grooming costs for other things.
• Keep your dog healthy and safe. Medical expenses can be costly, so you have to make sure that your Belgian Malinois will not develop any serious illnesses or injuries. You can significantly lessen opportunities for your dog to get hurt by keeping hazardous objects out of their reach.

Just keep in mind that saving more money should not be a reason for you to neglect your dog’s needs. You can limit your expenses, but make sure that your Belgian Malinois still receives proper care and attention.

Final Thoughts

The Belgian Malinois is a powerful dog that is devoted and protective of family members.

Some might be intimidated at them at first because of their strong features, but the Belgian Mal can be a loyal furry friend to anyone who shows them love.

That being said, owning a Mal also comes with a huge financial responsibility. If you are set on owning this purebred, make sure your bank account agrees.

It’s also important to avoid purchasing this breed from puppy mills or backyard breeders. You should look into the Belgian Malinois breeder’s reputation to see if you’ll get your money’s worth.

John Carter

My name is John Carter and I absolutely love pets, especially cats and dogs. I've got a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and have several years’ experience working in animal shelters and rescues. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property.