Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Comparison - Dog breed selector: Malinois or Alsatian wolf dog or Apollo of Dogs? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane" Compare Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?

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	German Shepherd	Great Dane
Origins	Belgium	Germany	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	44	2	14
Reviews	10	21	7
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Malinois	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Apollo of Dogs Deutsche Dogge Gentle Giant German Mastiff Dane
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Which is the smallest dog, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Large	Large	Giant
Weight Which is heavier, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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: 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 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: 160 pounds (72 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg)
Height Which is taller, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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: 30-34 inches (76-86 cm), Female: 28-32 inches (71-81 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: 32 inches (81 cm), Female: 30 inches (76 cm)

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Price and Availability Comparison

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

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane intelligence:	Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Great Dane dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane trainability comparison.	Belgian Malinois dogs are very easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Great Dane dogs are quite 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 German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Great Dane dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? 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.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Great Dane dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Stubborn Protective Alert Confident Friendly Watchful Hard working	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Loving Intelligent Confident Friendly Devoted Gentle Reserved
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: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Great Dane 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 German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	Slightly Below Average: Belgian Malinois dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average: Great Dane dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane social needs comparison:	Belgian Malinois dogs are a social breed. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Great Dane dogs are a social breed. 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.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Great Dane dogs have average wanderlust potential. 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.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Great Dane 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.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane playfulness comparison:	The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Great Danes are not the most playful dog breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	Average to High: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Great Dane rarely barks. 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 German Shepherd or Great Dane?	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.	Very house-friendly dog the Great Dane breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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.	Average: Great Dane dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?	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.	Great Dane 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.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Belgian Malinois bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Great Dane bite force: The Strongest.
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.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Great Dane has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane mouthiness comparison:	Belgian Malinois dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Great Dane dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane health comparison. Which is the healthier: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	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.	Great Danes are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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	Hip Dysplasia Patent Ductus Arteriosis Cancer Bloat Mitral Valve Disease Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Dilated Cardiomyopathy Persistent Right Aortic Arch Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
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 Great Dane should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane lifespan comparison. How long do Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd and Great Dane 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	7-11 years The average lifespan of Great Dane: 9 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 German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	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 warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane energy level comparison:	Belgian Malinois dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Great Dane dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? 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.	Great Dane dogs exercise need is minimal.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Belgian Malinois dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Great Dane dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?	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.	8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The Belgian Malinois has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The Great Dane has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane coat comparison:	Weather-resistant Straight	Fuzzy	Dense
Colors What are the original Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd and Great Dane color?	Black Cream Fawn Brindle	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Blue White Fawn Brindle Merle
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane grooming comparison:	Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Great Dane requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Belgian Malinois dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Great Dane dogs shed moderately. 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 German Shepherd or Great Dane?	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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 German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	Medium ⏺ The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Great Dane 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 German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Great Dane drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. See more.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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.	Great Dane dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Which dog is more friendly?	Belgian Malinois dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
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 German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Belgian Malinois dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards cats.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Great Dane 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 German Shepherd or Great Dane?	Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	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 Great Dane 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.	No Great Dane 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.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Great Danes are usually recommended for elderly people.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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.	Yes This breed makes good 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 German Shepherd or Great Dane? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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.	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.
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.	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 German Shepherd vs Great Dane?	Not really Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Great Dane 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.	Yes 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.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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 German Shepherd and Great Dane have?	6-10 puppies	6-10 puppies	10-15 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane 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 1887 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 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type 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 Canadian Canine Registry

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