German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Malinois or Bas-Rouge? Find the right dog for you

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

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	German Shepherd	Belgian Malinois	Beauceron
Origins	Germany	Belgium	France
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	44	141
Reviews	21	10	4
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare alternative names and nicknames used for German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron breeds.	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Malinois	Bas-Rouge Beauce Shepherd French Shorthaired Shepherd Berger De Beauce
Breed Classification How do breed classifications differ between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron? Compare their breeding categories.	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Compare size differences between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is the largest?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Statistics How do weights compare between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron? Compare adult weight ranges.	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg)	110 pounds (50 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg)	110 pounds (50 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Beauceron? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron height comparison:	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm)	24-27.5 inches (32-70 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)	24-27.5 inches (51 cm)

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy costs for German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Find price differences between these breeds.	$800-$2000	$1200-$1400	$1200-$1500
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Beauceron?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Belgian Malinois is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Beauceron is easier than average to get.

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Compare intelligence levels between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed ranks highest?	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. See more.	Smart: The Beauceron dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Compare training difficulty levels between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is easiest to train?	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs are very easy to train. See more.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Compare watchdog abilities of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is most alert?	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Beauceron dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Compare territorial instincts between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is most protective?	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.	Beauceron dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits How do personalities differ between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron? Compare temperaments.	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Active Stubborn Protective Alert Confident Friendly Watchful Hard working	Loving Protective Courageous Loyal Obedient
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron?	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Slightly Below Average: Belgian Malinois dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	Average to High: Beauceron dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron social needs comparison:	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs are a social breed. See more.	Beauceron dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Belgian Malinois is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Beauceron dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	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.	Beauceron dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Compare barking frequencies of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is most vocal?	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average to High: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. See more.	Average: The Beauceron barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Compare playfulness levels between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is most playful?	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Beauceron is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Compare apartment suitability of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which adapts best to small spaces?	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 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 recommended to keep the Beauceron breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Compare adaptability between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is most flexible?	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Belgian Malinois dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Average: Beauceron dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Beauceron?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	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.	Beauceron 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.

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Compare biting potential between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has lowest bite risk?	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Beauceron has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Compare mouthing tendencies between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which uses mouth most during play?	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Beauceron dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Compare bite forces between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has the strongest bite?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Belgian Malinois bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Beauceron bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Compare life expectancies of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed lives longest?	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Belgian Malinois: 13 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Beauceron: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Compare weather adaptability between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which handles climate changes best?	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 cold weather conditions The Beauceron can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Health Concerns Compare health problems common in German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has fewer health issues?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Beaucerons tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Belgian Malinois should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Frequent The Beauceron should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron health problems comparison:	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 Eye Problems Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia	No data available

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Compare energy levels between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which breed is most active?	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Belgian Malinois dogs are high-energy dogs.	Beauceron dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Beauceron? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Belgian Malinois dogs need a lot of exercises.	Beauceron dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Beauceron?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Belgian Malinois dogs don't need too much sleep.	Beauceron dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Compare weight gain tendencies between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is most prone to obesity?	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	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 Beauceron's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Compare food requirements between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which needs most food?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Compare hypoallergenic qualities of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is best for allergy sufferers?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors Compare color variations between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. What colors are available?	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Cream Fawn Brindle	Black Gray Tan Rust
Grooming Requirements Compare grooming needs between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which requires most maintenance?	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. See more.	Easy to groom: The Beauceron doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Compare drooling tendencies between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which drools least?	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Beauceron is an average drooler. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Compare odor levels between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has least natural smell?	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Beauceron has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics Compare coat types between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. How do their fur characteristics differ?	Fuzzy	Weather-resistant Straight	Dense
Bathing Needs Compare bathing needs between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which requires most frequent baths?	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.
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Beauceron? German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or {name3 shedding:	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs shed moderately. See more.	Beauceron dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Good With Comparison

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

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Compare service dog potential between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is best suited for service work?	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 Work Suitability Compare therapy dog potential between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which excels in therapy work?	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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
Scent Detection Ability Compare detection capabilities between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has best nose work ability?	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 & Rescue Potential Compare search and rescue potential between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is best for SAR work?	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.
Maritime Work Ability Compare boating aptitude between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is best suited for water work?	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Beauceron breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Compare cart pulling abilities between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which is best for draft work?	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.
Military Service Background Compare military service history of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has most military use?	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	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.

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare typical litter sizes of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has most puppies?	6-10 puppies	6-10 puppies	6-7 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare gestation periods of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Any breeding differences?	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding intervals between German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. What's recommended?	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.

German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Beauceron Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC groups for German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. How are they classified?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2007 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI groups for German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. How are they classified internationally?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare breed recognition status of German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Beauceron. Which has most recognition?	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	No data available

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