Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Basenji Versus Belgian Malinois: Introduction
- Basenji versus Belgian Malinois: Overview
- Basenji versus Belgian Malinois: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois
- The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois
- Size Comparison of Basenji versus Belgian Malinois
- Lifespan of Basenji versus Belgian Malinois
- Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Belgian Malinois
- Price of Basenji versus Price of Belgian Malinois
- The Intelligence of the Basenji versus the Intelligence of the Belgian Malinois
- Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Belgian Malinois
- Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Belgian Malinois
- Do Basenjis shed more than Belgian Malinoiss?
- Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois?
- Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Belgian Malinois?
- Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Belgian Malinoiss?
- Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Belgian Malinois
- Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois?
- Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Belgian Malinoiss?
- How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Belgian Malinoiss?
- Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Belgian Malinois?
- Conclusion: Basenji versus Belgian Malinois. Which One is a Better Pet?
Basenji Versus Belgian Malinois: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois better suits you.We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Basenji and for the Belgian Malinois. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois.
Basenji versus Belgian Malinois: Overview
A very important difference between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basenji is a small-sized dog while the Belgian Malinois is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Belgian Malinois belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Basenji versus Belgian Malinois: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Basenji to the Belgian Malinois based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois
| Factor | Basenji | Belgian Malinois |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 22 to 24 pounds | 40 to 80 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1380 |
| Price Range | $1450 – $1450 | $850 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 68.9 percent | 94.1 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 78 | 22 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basenji in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Belgian Malinois. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Basenji is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Belgian Malinois is 83 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Belgian Malinois is not better or worse than the Basenji. So, you can get the Belgian Malinois or the Basenji!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois
Below is a list of where the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are most different:
- Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate cold weather.
- Basenjis are not easy to train. However, Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.
- Basenjis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Belgian Malinoiss do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
- Basenjis not very playful. However, Belgian Malinoiss are very playful.
- Basenjis adapt well to apartment living. However, Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.
The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois
The Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are most similar:
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are good for new dog owners.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois can be left alone for some time without problems.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are highly intelligent.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are very easy to groom.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
Size Comparison of Basenji versus Belgian Malinois
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois.
Basenjis weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Basenjis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Belgian Malinoiss weigh 40 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Malinoiss are 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Basenji versus Belgian Malinois
The lifespan of Basenjis is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basenjis is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is 13.0 years.
Belgian Malinoiss live longer than Basenjis.
Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois has a better temperament than the Basenji.
This is because the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 percent while the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 94.1 percent, the Belgian Malinois has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois by measuring the temperaments of 177 Basenjis and 440 Belgian Malinoiss.
Price of Basenji versus Price of Belgian Malinois
The average price of the Basenji puppy is $1560. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1450. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 Basenji puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Belgian Malinois puppy is $1380. The price of the Belgian Malinois typically ranges from $850 – $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 311 Belgian Malinois puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Basenji is more expensive than the Belgian Malinois.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Basenji and Belgian Malinois. For different price points, the charts show how many Basenji puppies or how many Belgian Malinois puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Belgian Malinoiss
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Basenji puppy or the Belgian Malinois puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Basenji versus the Intelligence of the Belgian Malinois
`| Basenji | Belgian Malinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 78 out of 130 dog breeds | 22 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:- Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
- Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
- Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the Basenji has an obedience intelligence rank of 78 out of 130 dog breeds. The Basenji belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Basenjis tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Belgian Malinois has an obedience intelligence rank of 22 out of 130 dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Belgian Malinoiss tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Belgian Malinois is more intelligent than the Basenji.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Belgian Malinois
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Basenji is prone to more genetic health problems than the Belgian Malinois.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Basenji than for the Belgian Malinois.
6 health tests are recommended for Basenji while 3 tests are recommended for the Belgian Malinois.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basenjis and in Belgian Malinoiss.
Basenji Health Problems
Basenjis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basenji puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Basenji puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basenji breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Basenjis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basenjis here.
Belgian Malinois Health Problems
Belgian Malinoiss are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Belgian Malinois puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Belgian Malinois puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Belgian Malinois breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Belgian Malinoiss for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Belgian Malinoiss here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Belgian Malinois
Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.
Belgian Malinoiss can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Basenjis shed more than Belgian Malinoiss?
Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois
Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois?
Basenjis are very easy to groom.
Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.
Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Belgian Malinois?
Basenjis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Belgian Malinoiss have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Belgian Malinoiss?
Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Belgian Malinoiss are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather?
Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Belgian Malinois
Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Belgian Malinoiss have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather?
Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.
Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois?
Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.
Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Belgian Malinoiss?
Basenjis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Belgian Malinoiss are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Belgian Malinoiss?
Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Belgian Malinoiss get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Belgian Malinois?
Basenjis are not easy to train.
Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.
Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Belgian Malinois?
Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.
Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basenji or the Belgian Malinois?
Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.
Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Basenji versus Belgian Malinois. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Basenji and the Belgian Malinois better suits you and your family.