Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Belgian Malinois Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

Belgian Malinois versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

A very important difference between the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois is a large-sized dog while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-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 Lagotto Romagnolo belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Belgian Malinois versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Belgian Malinois to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo

Factor Belgian Malinois Lagotto Romagnolo
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 14 to 17 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
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 14 to 19 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
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 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 80 pounds 24 to 35 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 15.5 years
Average Price $1380 $5040
Price Range $850 – $1800 $4331 – $5332
Temperament Score 94.1 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Belgian Malinois is a better pet than the Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo

    Below is a list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most different:

    • Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom. However, Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo

    The Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most similar:

    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very easy to train.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Belgian Malinois versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    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, Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Lagotto Romagnolos are 14 to 19 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    The lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is between 14 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is 15.5 years.

    Lagotto Romagnolos live longer than Belgian Malinoiss.

    Temperament of the Belgian Malinois Versus the Lagotto Romagnolo

    The Belgian Malinois has a better temperament than the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    This is because the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 percent while the temperament score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Belgian Malinois and the Lagotto Romagnolo by measuring the temperaments of 440 Belgian Malinoiss and 4 Lagotto Romagnolos.

    Price of Belgian Malinois versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5040. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $4331 – $5332. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 10 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Belgian Malinois.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Belgian Malinois and Lagotto Romagnolo. For different price points, the charts show how many Belgian Malinois puppies or how many Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Belgian Malinois puppy or the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is prone to more genetic health problems than the Belgian Malinois.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Lagotto Romagnolo than for the Belgian Malinois.

    3 health tests are recommended for Belgian Malinois while 6 tests are recommended for the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Malinoiss and in Lagotto Romagnolos.

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolo Health Problems

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

  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lagotto Romagnolos here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.

    Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate hot weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Belgian Malinoiss and Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

    Is the Belgian Malinois Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Malinois or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Belgian Malinois versus Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you and your family.