Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Comparison - Dog breed selector: Malinois or Little Blue Dog or American Akita? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita" Compare Belgian Malinois and Australian Shepherd. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Belgian Malinois	Australian Shepherd	Akita
Origins	Belgium	United States	Japan
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	44	17	47
Reviews	3	7	9
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Malinois	Little Blue Dog Aussie	American Akita Japanese Akita Great Japanese Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Which is the smallest dog, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Australian Shepherd? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita weight comparison:	Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg)	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	Male: 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg), Female: 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg)	Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)	Male: 97.5 pounds (44 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Height Which is taller, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita height comparison:	Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm)	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)	Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Which is more expensive?	$1200-$1400	$600-$800	$800-$1200
Availability Which is easier to get, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Very frequent: The Belgian Malinois is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Akita is quite easy to get.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita intelligence:	Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. See more.	Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita trainability comparison.	Belgian Malinois dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Akita dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Akita dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? 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. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Akita dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Stubborn Protective Alert Confident Friendly Watchful Hard working	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured	Dignified Independent Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Friendly Responsive Docile Faithful Vigilant Willing
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Akita dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	Slightly Below Average: Belgian Malinois dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Akita dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita social needs comparison:	Belgian Malinois dogs are a social breed. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.	Akita dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
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. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Akita is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
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. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Akita dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita playfulness comparison:	The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: Akitas, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	Average to High: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. See more.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low: The Akita barks none to minimal. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	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 Australian Shepherd indoors.	Very house-friendly dog the Akita breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita 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.	Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Akita 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 Australian Shepherd or Akita?	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.	Australian Shepherd 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.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Belgian Malinois bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Akita bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
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.	Low 🔽 The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The Akita has an average chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita mouthiness comparison:	Belgian Malinois dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Akita dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita health comparison. Which is the healthier: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Akita is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Eye Problems Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Deafness Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Distichiasis Collie Eye Anomaly Detached Retina Nasal Solar Dermatitis Osteochondrosis Dissecans Persistent Pupillary Membranes	Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Sebaceous Adenitis
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.	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Akita should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita lifespan comparison. How long do Belgian Malinois, Australian Shepherd and Akita breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	12-14 years The average lifespan of Belgian Malinois: 13 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years	10-14 years The average lifespan of Akita: 12 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Australian Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Akita can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita energy level comparison:	Belgian Malinois dogs are high-energy dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Akita dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Belgian Malinois dogs need a lot of exercises.	Australian Shepherd dogs need a lot of exercises.	Akita dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Belgian Malinois dogs don't need too much sleep.	Australian Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Akita dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 3 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The Belgian Malinois has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Shepherd's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Akita's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita coat comparison:	Weather-resistant Straight	Feathered	Fluffy Dense Waterproof Straight
Colors What are the original Belgian Malinois, Australian Shepherd and Akita color?	Black Cream Fawn Brindle	Black Red Blue Merle	Black Red White Brown Fawn
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita grooming comparison:	Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Easy to groom: The Akita doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Belgian Malinois dogs shed moderately. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Akita dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Hypoallergenic Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	Medium ⏺ The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Akita 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. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Akita is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed. See more.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Belgian Malinois dogs are generally with other pets.	Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Akita dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Which dog is more friendly?	Belgian Malinois dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Akita dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Belgian Malinois dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Akita dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Akita dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita?	Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Akita dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	Yes Belgian Malinois dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Akita 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 Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Akita is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Belgian Malinoiss are usually recommended for elderly people.	Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Akitas are usually recommended for elderly people.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Belgian Malinois or Australian Shepherd or Akita? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
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.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
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.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita?	Not really Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Akita breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
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. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat 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.

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita 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. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Belgian Malinois and Australian Shepherd and Akita have?	6-10 puppies	6-9 puppies, average 7	3-12 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Belgian Malinois vs Australian Shepherd vs Akita 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 1991 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Working 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 Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds 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 Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Australian Shepherd Club Of America	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club

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