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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Comparison - Dog breed selector: Malinois or Alsatian wolf dog or Golden Flat Coat? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever" Compare Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
 
 
 
Name Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Golden Retriever
OriginsBelgium flagBelgium Germany flagGermany Scotland flagScotland
Group Pastoral / Herding Dogs Pastoral / Herding Dogs Gun Dog
Popularity Rank4423
Reviews31914
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Malinois Alsatian wolf dog
Berger Allemand
Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Golden Flat Coat
Yellow Retriever
Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever breed type comparison:
Purebred Purebred Purebred

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Size and Weight Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which is the smallest dog, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Large Large Large
Weight
Which is heavier, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever weight comparison:
Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg) Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?
Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg) Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)
Height
Which is taller, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever height comparison:
Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm)

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Price and Availability Comparison

Price
Which is cheaper, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which is more expensive?
$1200-$1400 $800-$2000 $1000-$2000
Availability
Which is easier to get, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Very frequent: The Belgian Malinois is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Golden Retriever is quite easy to get.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever intelligence:
Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed.
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Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Trainability
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever trainability comparison.
Belgian Malinois dogs are very easy to train.
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German Shepherd dogs are easy to train.
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Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train.
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Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Golden Retriever dogs are average watchdogs.
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Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?
Belgian Malinois dogs strongly protect their territory.
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German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Golden Retriever dogs are average defenders.
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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever behavior/temperament comparison:
Active
Stubborn
Protective
Alert
Confident
Friendly
Watchful
Hard working
Curious
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Intelligent
Confident
Friendly
Reliable
Kind
Trustworthy
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
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Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Golden Retriever dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.
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Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?
Slightly Below Average: Belgian Malinois dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence.
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High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: Golden Retriever dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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Social Needs
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever social needs comparison:
Belgian Malinois dogs are a social breed.
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German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average.
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Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
The wanderlust potential of the Belgian Malinois is strong enough to escape from home.
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German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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Golden Retriever dogs tend to escape less than other breeds.
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Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?
Belgian Malinois dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.
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German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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Golden Retriever dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.
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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever playfulness comparison:
The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed.
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Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.
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The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed.
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?
Average to High: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed.
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Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks.
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Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Belgian Malinois indoors.
It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.
It is not recommended to keep the Golden Retriever breed in the home.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?
Belgian Malinois dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Golden Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Belgian Malinois dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
Golden Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?

Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽

Belgian Malinois bite force: Weak.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Golden Retriever bite force: Ordinary.
Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:

Low 🔽

The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody.

High 🔼

The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.

Moderate

The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever mouthiness comparison:
Belgian Malinois dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Golden Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever health comparison. Which is the healthier: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?
The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs.
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever health problems comparison:
Hip Dysplasia
Eye Problems
Epilepsy
Elbow Dysplasia
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Cancer
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bloat
Epilepsy
Blindness
Cherry Eye
Elbow Dysplasia
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Retinal Dysplasia
Demodectic Mange
Degenerative Myelopathy
Wobbler's Syndrome
Panosteitis
Hemophilia B
Megaesophagus
Cushing's Syndrome
Lens Luxation
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Chronic Diarrhea
Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Digestive Problems
Hemophilia A
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Lupus
Myasthenia Gravis
Nail Bed Disease
Osteochondrosis
Pannus
Paralysis
Perianal Fistula
Seborrhea
Vitiligo
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Hypothyroidism
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bloat
Epilepsy
Elbow Dysplasia
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Hemangiosarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?
Average
The Belgian Malinois should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Rare
The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Rare
The Golden Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Life Expectancy
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever lifespan comparison. How long do Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd and Golden Retriever breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?
12-14 years
The average lifespan of Belgian Malinois: 13 years
9-13 years
The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
10-12 years
The average lifespan of Golden Retriever: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level
Who has more energy a Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever energy level comparison:
Belgian Malinois dogs are high-energy dogs.
German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Golden Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
Belgian Malinois dogs need a lot of exercises.
German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Belgian Malinois dogs don't need too much sleep.
German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Golden Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever weight gain potential comparison:
Low to Average: The Belgian Malinois has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight.
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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever coat comparison:
Weather-resistant
Straight
Fuzzy Silky
Wavy
Shiny
Straight
Colors
What are the original Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd and Golden Retriever color?
Black
Cream
Fawn
Brindle
Black
Tan
Red
Silver
Golden
Light
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever grooming comparison:
Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort.
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Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
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Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort.
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Shedding Level
Who sheds more Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:
Belgian Malinois dogs shed moderately.
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German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders.
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Golden Retriever dogs shed moderately.
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Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
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8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
See more.
2-3 weeks
Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks.
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Hypoallergenic
Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?
No See more. No See more. No See more.
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?

Medium

The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?
The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The Golden Retriever drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed.
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Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?
Belgian Malinois dogs are generally with other pets.
German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Golden Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which dog is more friendly?
Belgian Malinois dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Golden Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Belgian Malinois dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Golden Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards cats.
German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Golden Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Golden Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?
Yes
Belgian Malinois dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Golden Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office?
No
Belgian Malinois is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Yes
Golden Retriever is one of the best dog breeds for office environment
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people?
Belgian Malinoiss are usually recommended for elderly people.
German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which is better for autism?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog?

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever?

Not really

Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Not really

German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Yes

Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat.
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Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Fighting Dog / Military Dog

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
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Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
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Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
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Litter Size
How many puppies can Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd and Golden Retriever have?
6-10 puppies 6-10 puppies 5-10 puppies

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever Recognition Comparison

AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed.
FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI?
Not recognized by FCI. Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.
Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
German Shepherd Dog Club Of America
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

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