Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Belgian Malinois Versus Collie: Introduction
- Belgian Malinois versus Collie: Overview
- Belgian Malinois versus Collie: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Belgian Malinois and the Collie
- The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Collie
- Size Comparison of Belgian Malinois versus Collie
- Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Collie
- Temperament of the Belgian Malinois Versus the Collie
- Price of Belgian Malinois versus Price of Collie
- The Intelligence of the Belgian Malinois versus the Intelligence of the Collie
- Health Problems of Belgian Malinois versus Health Problems of Collie
- Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Collie
- Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Collies?
- Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Collie
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Collie?
- Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Collie?
- Do Belgian Malinoiss Bark and Howl? What about Collies?
- Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Collie
- Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Belgian Malinois or the Collie?
- Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Collies?
- How Kid-friendly are Belgian Malinoiss and Collies?
- Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Collie?
- Conclusion: Belgian Malinois versus Collie. Which One is a Better Pet?
Belgian Malinois Versus Collie: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Malinois and the Collie? 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 Collie 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 Collie.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Malinois and the Collie 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 Collie. 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 Collie.
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 Collie.
Belgian Malinois versus Collie: Overview
A very important difference between the Belgian Malinois and the Collie is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois is a large-sized dog while the Collie is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are Herding Dogs. This means both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie 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.
Belgian Malinois versus Collie: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Belgian Malinois to the Collie 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 Collie
| Factor | Belgian Malinois | Collie |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 80 pounds | 50 to 70 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1380 | $1480 |
| Price Range | $850 – $1800 | $1000 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 94.1 percent | 80.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 22 | 16 |
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 Collie. 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 Collie is 83 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is not better or worse than the Belgian Malinois. So, you can get the Collie or 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 Collie 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 Collie
Below is a list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are most different:
- Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
- Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom. However, Collies require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Collie
The Belgian Malinois and the Collie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are most similar:
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie 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 Collie are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are very easy to train.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are highly intelligent.
- Both the Belgian Malinois and the Collie are very playful.
Size Comparison of Belgian Malinois versus Collie
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Malinois and the Collie.
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, Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Collie
The lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.
Belgian Malinoiss live longer than Collies.
Temperament of the Belgian Malinois Versus the Collie
The Belgian Malinois has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Belgian Malinois and the Collie by measuring the temperaments of 440 Belgian Malinoiss and 896 Collies.
Price of Belgian Malinois versus Price of Collie
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 Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 356 Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Collie is more expensive than the Belgian Malinois.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Belgian Malinois and Collie. For different price points, the charts show how many Belgian Malinois puppies or how many Collie 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 Collies
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Belgian Malinois puppy or the Collie 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 Belgian Malinois versus the Intelligence of the Collie
`| Belgian Malinois | Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 22 out of 130 dog breeds | 16 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | 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 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 Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Collie is more intelligent than the Belgian Malinois.
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 Belgian Malinois versus Health Problems of Collie
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 Collie 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 Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Belgian Malinois.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Belgian Malinois.
3 health tests are recommended for Belgian Malinois while 4 tests are recommended for the Collie.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Malinoiss and in Collies.
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.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Collie
Belgian Malinoiss can be left alone only for a short time.
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Collies?
Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Collie
Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Collie?
Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Collie?
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.
Collies 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 Belgian Malinoiss Bark and Howl? What about Collies?
Belgian Malinoiss are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather?
Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Collie
Belgian Malinoiss have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather?
Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate hot weather.
Collies 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 Collie?
Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Collies?
Belgian Malinoiss are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Belgian Malinoiss and Collies?
Belgian Malinoiss get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Collie?
Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.
Collies are very easy to train.
Is the Belgian Malinois Better for Apartment Owners than the Collie?
Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Malinois or the Collie?
Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Belgian Malinois versus Collie. 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 Collie better suits you and your family.