Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier.

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Belgian Malinois Versus Black Russian Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier? 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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier 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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier 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 Belgian Malinois and for the Black Russian Terrier. 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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Belgian Malinois or the Black Russian Terrier.

Belgian Malinois versus Black Russian Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois is a large-sized dog while the Black Russian Terrier is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Black Russian Terrier belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Belgian Malinois versus Black Russian Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Belgian Malinois to the Black Russian Terrier 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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier

Factor Belgian Malinois Black Russian Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 11 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Weight 40 to 80 pounds 80 to 140 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 10.5 years
Average Price $1380 $3050
Price Range $850 – $1800 $2600 – $3500
Temperament Score 94.1 percent 93.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Belgian Malinois 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 Black Russian Terrier. 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 Belgian Malinois is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Black Russian Terrier is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Belgian Malinois is a better pet than the Black Russian Terrier. So, you should get the Belgian Malinois!

    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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are most different:

    • Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom. However, Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier

    The Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are most similar:

    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are very easy to train.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Belgian Malinois versus Black Russian Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier.

    Belgian Malinoiss weigh 40 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Malinoiss are 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Black Russian Terriers weigh 80 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Black Russian Terriers are 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Black Russian Terrier

    The lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is between 10 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is 10.5 years.

    Belgian Malinoiss live longer than Black Russian Terriers.

    Temperament of the Black Russian Terrier Versus the Belgian Malinois

    The Belgian Malinois has a better temperament than the Black Russian Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 percent while the temperament score for the Black Russian Terrier is 93.9 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 94.1 percent, the Belgian Malinois has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 93.9 percent, the Black Russian Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 440 Belgian Malinoiss and 164 Black Russian Terriers.

    Price of Belgian Malinois versus Price of Black Russian Terrier

    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 reviewing the prices of 311 Belgian Malinois puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Black Russian Terrier puppy is $3050. The price of the Black Russian Terrier typically ranges from $2600 – $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 Black Russian Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Black Russian Terrier is more expensive than the Belgian Malinois.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Belgian Malinois and Black Russian Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Belgian Malinois puppies or how many Black Russian Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Belgian Malinoiss. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Belgian Malinoiss. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Black Russian Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Black Russian Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Belgian Malinois puppy or the Black Russian Terrier 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.

    Health Problems of Belgian Malinois versus Health Problems of Black Russian Terrier

    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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Belgian Malinois.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Black Russian Terrier than for the Belgian Malinois.

    3 health tests are recommended for Belgian Malinois while 7 tests are recommended for the Black Russian Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Malinoiss and in Black Russian Terriers.

    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:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Belgian Malinoiss here.

    Black Russian Terrier Health Problems

    Black Russian Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terriers for:

  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Black Russian Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Black Russian Terrier

    Belgian Malinoiss can be left alone only for a short time.

    Black Russian Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Black Russian Terriers?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Black Russian Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Black Russian Terrier

    Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Black Russian Terriers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Black Russian Terrier?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.

    Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Black Russian Terrier?

    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.

    Black Russian Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Belgian Malinoiss Bark and Howl? What about Black Russian Terriers?

    Belgian Malinoiss are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Black Russian Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Black Russian Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Black Russian Terrier

    Belgian Malinoiss have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Black Russian Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate hot weather.

    Black Russian Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Belgian Malinois or the Black Russian Terrier?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.

    Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Black Russian Terriers?

    Belgian Malinoiss are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Black Russian Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Belgian Malinoiss and Black Russian Terriers?

    Belgian Malinoiss get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Black Russian Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Black Russian Terrier?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.

    Black Russian Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Belgian Malinois Better for Apartment Owners than the Black Russian Terrier?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Black Russian Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Malinois or the Black Russian Terrier?

    Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.

    Black Russian Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Belgian Malinois versus Black Russian Terrier. 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 Belgian Malinois and the Black Russian Terrier better suits you and your family.