Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita Comparison - Dog breed selector: Scotch Sheep Dog or Mal or Great Japanese Dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita" Compare Border Collie and Alaskan Malamute. Which is better: Border Collie or Alaskan Malamute or Akita?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Border Collie	Alaskan Malamute	Akita
Origins	England Scotland Wales	United States	Japan
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs)	Sled Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	38	59	47
Reviews	10	3	6
User Ratings

Other Names	Scotch Sheep Dog, Sheepdog	Mal, Mally	Great Japanese Dog, Japanese Akita, American Akita
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Working breed.
FCI Group	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 Nordic Sledge Dogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry 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 The American Int. Border Collie Registry The American Border Collie Association	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. 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. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club
Price	$600-$800	$1200-$1500	$800-$1200

Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita General Appearance Comparison

Size	Large	Large	Large
Weight	Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg)	Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg)	Male: 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg), Female: 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg)
Avg. Weight	Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg)	Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg)	Male: 97.5 pounds (44 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Height	Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)	Male: 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm), Female: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
Avg. Height	Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)	Male: 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm), Female: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)

Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita Hair & Care Comparison

Coat	Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long	Dense Rough Thick Weather-resistant	Fluffy Dense Waterproof Straight
Colors	Black & White Tricolor Tan Blue merle Blue merle-tricolor Slate merle Red merle Black Brindle Gold Lilac Red Sable Sable Merle Saddleback Sable White & Blue White & Blue Merle White & Red White & Red Merle White Ticked Seal Slate White & Gold White & Sable White & Seal	Red Gray White Black	Red Fawn White Black Brown
Grooming	Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort.	Average: The Alaskan Malamute requires average grooming effort.	Easy to groom: The Akita doesn't require a lot of grooming.
Shedding Level	Border Collies shed moderately.	Alaskan Malamutes are heavy shedders.	Akitas are heavy shedders.

Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita Characteristics Comparison

Temperament	Intelligent Alert Tenacious Protective Energetic Responsive Loyal	Affectionate Dignified Loyal Devoted Friendly Playful	Alert Dignified Friendly Responsive Courageous Docile Intelligent Vigilant Independent Faithful Willing Protective
Intelligent Rank	Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds.	Average: Alaskan Malamute's has average obedience intelligence.	Average: Akita's has average obedience intelligence.
Trainability	Border Collies are easy to train.	Alaskan Malamutes are easy to train.	Akitas are easy to train.
Playfulness	The Border Collie is a highly playful breed.	The Alaskan Malamute is a playful breed.	Akitas, like any other dog breed, like playing.
Sensitivity Level	Border Collies don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	Akitas don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.
Affection Level	Border Collies are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Alaskan Malamutes are average dogs regarding their affection level.	Akitas are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
Social Needs	Border Collies need a lot of social interaction.	Alaskan Malamutes are a social breed.	Akitas need for social interaction is average.
Barking	Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks.	Low to Average: The Alaskan Malamute rarely barks.	Low: The Akita barks none to minimal.
Watchdog Ability	Border Collies are one of the best watchdogs.	Alaskan Malamutes are one of the best watchdogs.	Akitas are one of the best watchdogs.
Territorial	Border Collies are extremely protective guard dogs.	Alaskan Malamutes are extremely protective guard dogs.	Akitas are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Low The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate The Alaskan Malamute has an average chance of biting somebody.	Moderate The Akita has an average chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Border Collies have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Alaskan Malamutes have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Akitas have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Border Collies have average wanderlust potential.	Alaskan Malamutes have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.	Wanderlust potential of the Akita is strong enough to escape from home.
Prey Drive	Border Collies 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.	Alaskan Malamutes have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	Akitas have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
Apartment Friendly	Border Collies are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle.	Alaskan Malamutes are not apartment-friendly dogs.	Akitas are very apartment-friendly dogs.
Adaptability	Border Collies adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Alaskan Malamutes adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Akitas adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Border Collies tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Alaskan Malamutes 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.
Fighting Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.

Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita Good With Comparison

Stranger Friendly	Border Collies are average friendly towards strangers.	Alaskan Malamutes are stranger friendly dogs.	Akitas are not the most stranger friendly dogs.
Child Friendly	Border Collies are very kid-friendly dogs.	Alaskan Malamutes are kid-friendly dogs.	Akitas are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Border Collies are average friendly towards cats.	Alaskan Malamutes are not cat-friendly dogs.	Akitas are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly	Border Collies are average friendly towards other dogs.	Alaskan Malamutes are very dog-friendly dogs.	Akitas are average friendly towards other dogs.
Office Friendly	No Border Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Alaskan Malamute is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Akita is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly	Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Alaskan Malamutes are usually recommended for elderly people.	Akitas are usually recommended for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Border Collies are generally with other pets.	Alaskan Malamutes do best when they’re the only pet at the family.	Akitas are generally with other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Border Collies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Alaskan Malamutes are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Akitas are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Alaskan Malamute breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Akita breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita Health Factors Comparison

Health Issues	The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Alaskan Malamute 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.
Health Problems	Allergies Collie Eye Anomaly Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)	Cataracts Chondrodysplasia Hemeralopia Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Inherited Polyneuropathy	Bloat Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Sebaceous Adenitis
Life Expectancy	12-15 years	12-15 years	10-14 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	No	No	No
Energy Level	Border Collies are high energy dogs.	Alaskan Malamutes are high energy dogs.	Akitas have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Exercise Need	Border Collies need a lot of exercises.	Alaskan Malamutes need quite a lot of exercise.	Akitas need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need	Border Collies don't need too much sleep.	Alaskan Malamutes don't need too much sleep.	Akitas are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.
Avg. daily food consumption	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.	Recommended daily amount: 4 to 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.
Weight Gain Potential	Average.	Average.	Average to High.
Weather & Climate	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers cold weather The Alaskan Malamute can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers cold weather The Akita can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	Medium The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.	Low The Alaskan Malamute has a low chance of bad smell.	Medium The Akita has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Border Collie is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Alaskan Malamute is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	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.

Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute vs Akita Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	4-8 puppies	4-10 puppies	3-12 puppies
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