Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Belgian Malinois Versus Kai Ken: Introduction
- Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken: Overview
- Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken
- The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken
- Size (Weight and Height) of Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken
- Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken
- Temperament of the Belgian Malinois Versus the Kai Ken
- Health Problems of Belgian Malinois versus Health Problems of Kai Ken
- Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken
- Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Kai Kens?
- Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Kai Ken
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Kai Ken?
- Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?
- Do Belgian Malinoiss Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?
- Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Kai Ken
- Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Belgian Malinois or the Kai Ken?
- Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?
- How Kid-friendly are Belgian Malinoiss and Kai Kens?
- Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Belgian Malinois
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken. Which One is a Better Pet?
Belgian Malinois Versus Kai Ken: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken? 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken.
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 Kai Ken.
Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken: Overview
A very important difference between the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois is a large-sized dog while the Kai Ken is a medium-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 Kai Ken belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Belgian Malinois to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken
| Factor | Belgian Malinois | Kai Ken |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 22 inches |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 80 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1380 | No Data |
| Price Range | $850 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 94.1 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
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 Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Belgian Malinois is a better pet than the Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken
Below is a list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken are most different:
The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken
The Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken.
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, Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken
The lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.
Kai Kens live longer than Belgian Malinoiss.
Temperament of the Belgian Malinois Versus the Kai Ken
The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Belgian Malinois.
This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 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 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Belgian Malinois and the Kai Ken by measuring the temperaments of 440 Belgian Malinoiss and 1 Kai Kens.
Health Problems of Belgian Malinois versus Health Problems of Kai Ken
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 Kai Ken 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 Belgian Malinois is prone to more genetic health problems than the Kai Ken.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Belgian Malinois than for the Kai Ken.
3 health tests are recommended for Belgian Malinois while 2 tests are recommended for the Kai Ken.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Malinoiss and in Kai Kens.
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.
Kai Ken Health Problems
Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken 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 Kai Kens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken
Belgian Malinoiss can be left alone only for a short time.
Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Kai Kens?
Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Kai Ken
Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.
Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Kai Ken?
Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.
Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?
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.
Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens?
Belgian Malinoiss are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.
Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Kai Ken
Belgian Malinoiss have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate hot weather.
Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken?
Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.
Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?
Belgian Malinoiss are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Belgian Malinoiss and Kai Kens?
Belgian Malinoiss get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?
Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.
Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.
Is the Belgian Malinois Better for Apartment Owners than the Kai Ken?
Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.
Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Malinois or the Kai Ken?
Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.
Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Belgian Malinois
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Belgian Malinois that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Belgian Malinois:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kai Ken:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Belgian Malinois and how the Kai Ken compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Belgian Malinois and of the Kai Ken to other breeds:
Belgian Malinois Versus Other Dog Breeds
Belgian Malinois versus Norwegian Buhund Belgian Malinois versus Pharaoh Hound Belgian Malinois versus Shiranian Belgian Malinois versus Bernese Mountain Dog Belgian Malinois versus Bloodhound Belgian Malinois versus Boerboel Belgian Malinois versus Tibetan Mastiff Belgian Malinois versus Afador Belgian Malinois versus Morkie Belgian Malinois versus Dutch Shepherd Belgian Malinois versus Shichon Belgian Malinois versus Border Collie Belgian Malinois versus Shiranian Belgian Malinois versus Spanish Mastiff Belgian Malinois versus Chinese Shar-Pei Belgian Malinois versus Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinois versus Lhasa Apso Belgian Malinois versus Carolina Dog Belgian Malinois versus German Pinscher Belgian Malinois versus Puli Belgian Malinois versus Japanese Spitz Belgian Malinois versus Estrela Mountain Dog Belgian Malinois versus Portuguese Pointer Belgian Malinois versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds
Kai Ken versus Maltese Kai Ken versus Shetland Sheepdog Kai Ken versus Pomsky Kai Ken versus Labradoodle Kai Ken versus Braque du Bourbonnais Kai Ken versus Dutch Shepherd Kai Ken versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Kai Ken versus Bolognese Kai Ken versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Kai Ken versus Afador Kai Ken versus German Shorthaired Pointer Kai Ken versus German Wirehaired Pointer Kai Ken versus Pharaoh Hound Kai Ken versus Border Collie Kai Ken versus Chinook Kai Ken versus Whoodle Kai Ken versus Lakeland Terrier Kai Ken versus Patterdale Terrier Kai Ken versus Standard Poodle Kai Ken versus Chihuahua Kai Ken versus Beagle Kai Ken versus Doberman Pinscher Kai Ken versus Alaskan Klee Kai Kai Ken versus Borzoi Kai Ken versus Lhasapoo
Conclusion: Belgian Malinois versus Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken better suits you and your family.