Belgian Malinois vs. Border Collie: Which is right for me?

Yes... be careful. Asking for 'high drive' in border collies or Mals is likely to get you way more dog than you'd ever want. The most drivey dog may not be the best choice for a sports dog. Trust me, I've trained with some insanely driven and out of control dogs whose owners call it 'drive'. Drive without control has you ending up with the dog crashing through the agility course knocking bars and flying off course. Or the dog that redirects onto its owner when frustrated. Or the dog that slams its face into the box every time in flyball. I've seen all that before.

I think for most sports the better dogs tend to be a little toned down. The supersuper high drive can be flashy but the moderately driven dogs are easier to harness and more reliable. ESPECIALLY if you have never participated in dogs sports before, I'd be wary of going all out. The dog will be your pet most the time, find a dog you like to live with. Learn on a good ol' reliable dog, imo. Especially in agility. Less room for errors and when you do get a high drive dog, you'll be much more prepared.

Also keep in mind the average dog sports person only sticks with sports for 2 years or less. If you're not already involved, WAIT. Seriously.

I think border collies are the easier breed. They're softer dogs usually and usually a little less aloof. Not as prone to bite first, ask later. I like both breeds but am not the right owner for a mal. Maybe a fuzzy show-bred belgian one day.

Both tend to be drivy, charged, crazy workaholics. I would think BCs are more willing-to-do. I keep telling myself I don't have enough for a BC to do - which is the only reason I don't own one. I owned a Malinois once. I wouldn't own another. But even though she came from working lines I don't think she was totally typical. She didn't have much of a work ethic and wasn't very bright (but sweet as pie.) I think if I trained then like I do now, I probably would have gotten more out of her, but still, not a breed I'd like to invest my time in. If you are wanting an over-the-top drivey dog, you need to ask yourself if you are willing/able to hold up your end of the bargain. Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it. I found that out when I finally got my dreamed-for totally cattle-working line Aussie, in my 50s. She's been a wonderful dog and is multiple titled in 4 sports and several different venues. She's terrific. And I haven't been a slacker - have done more with her than many people do. But I would have done her more justice if I'd gotten that much talent when I was younger. (IE, she'd have a WTCH instead of started working titles and an OTCH instead of a couple of CDXs. She went all the way in Rally, and we are still working on advancing our freestyle titles) So you need to look at how your lifestyle meshes with that kind of commitment and if you have time to do the work the dog needs. Getting the dog who has the potential is just a start. The rest is up to you.

You may want to read this article by Bay Area Dog Trainer. Note to the American Public: Belgian Malinois Look Don't Touch. I don't agree with everything he says but it's worth looking at in terms of the commitment to this breed. There is the "sharpness" factor more present with these dogs more than the collies and I think they require more intensive people socializing than the collies to keep them from becoming agressive toward people that they don't know. I have one and as a younger pup she let everyone at the vet clinic handle her without batting an eye. I have now trained her to comfortably wear a muzzle at the vets because she would not be reliable anymore without it. Even highly trained police and military mals often wear muzzles in certain situations. Something to bear in mind. That being said, if you dedicate time to them, I found her to be a loving companion and lightning quick to learn, physically tireless and always ready to go. Plan on 3 hours a day for physical activity and training at least depending what you want to do. I would meet a number of both breeds, they are VERY DIFFERENT and there are lots of them needing new homes because they are HIGH MAINTENANCE.