Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Comparison - Dog breed selector: Golden Flat Coat or Lab or Malinois? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois" Compare Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Which is better: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?

Price and Availability Size Grooming, Hair and Care Personality / Temperament Good With Health As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Golden Retriever	Labrador Retriever	Belgian Malinois
Origins	Scotland	England Canada	Belgium
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Gun Dog	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	3	1	44
Reviews	13	5	2
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Golden Flat Coat Yellow Retriever	Lab Labrador	Malinois
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Price and Availability Comparison

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

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Size Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Which is the smallest dog, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Labrador Retriever? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois weight comparison:	Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois coat comparison:	Silky Wavy Shiny Straight	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Weather-resistant Straight
Colors What are the original Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois color?	Golden Light	Yellow Chocolate Black	Brindle Cream Fawn Black
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois grooming comparison:	Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or {name3 shedding:	Golden Retrievers shed moderately. See more.	Labrador Retrievers shed moderately. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. 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.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Personality / Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois behavior/temperament comparison:	Confident Intelligent Reliable Friendly Kind Trustworthy	Affectionate Cheerful Friendly Intelligent Loyal Playful Social Alert Energetic Gentle Loving Going Responsive	Active Alert Confident Friendly Hard working Protective Stubborn Watchful
Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois intelligence:	Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois trainability comparison.	Golden Retrievers are easy to train. See more.	Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Playfulness Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois playfulness comparison:	The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Golden Retrievers have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: Labrador Retrievers 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.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois?	High: Golden Retrievers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retrievers may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	Slightly Below Average: Belgian Malinoiss may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois social needs comparison:	Golden Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Labrador Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss are a social breed. See more.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois?	Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Average to High: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	Golden Retrievers are average watchdogs. See more.	Labrador Retrievers are average watchdogs. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Golden Retrievers are average defenders. See more.	Labrador Retrievers are average defenders. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss strongly protect their territory. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Golden Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Belgian Malinois bite force: Weak.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois mouthiness comparison:	Golden Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Labrador Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Golden Retrievers tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	Labrador Retrievers have average wanderlust potential. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Belgian Malinois is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Golden Retrievers 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.	Labrador Retrievers have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	Belgian Malinoiss 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
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	It is not recommended to keep the Golden Retriever breed in the home.	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	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.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List
Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Golden Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Labrador Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Belgian Malinoiss adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	Golden Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Labrador Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Belgian Malinoiss 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.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Good With Comparison

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

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Health Comparison

Health Issues Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois health comparison. Which is the healthier: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois?	Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs.	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Belgian Malinois 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: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois health problems comparison:	Allergies Bloat Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hemangiosarcoma Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Osteochondrosis Dissecans Osteosarcoma Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Von Willebrand's Disease	Acute Moist Dermatitis Bloat Cataracts Cold Tail Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Myopathy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia	Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Eye Problems Hip Dysplasia
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Golden Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Belgian Malinois should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois lifespan comparison. How long do Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Golden Retriever: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Belgian Malinois: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Energy Level Who has more energy a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois energy level comparison:	Golden Retrievers are high-energy dogs.	Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs.	Belgian Malinoiss are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Golden Retrievers need a lot of exercises.	Labrador Retrievers need a lot of exercises.	Belgian Malinoiss need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	Golden Retrievers don't need too much sleep.	Labrador Retrievers don't need too much sleep.	Belgian Malinoiss don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot
Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 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.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Low to Average: The Belgian Malinois has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois?	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.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois?	Medium ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	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. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois 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.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Belgian Malinois? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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.	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: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois?	Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really Belgian Malinois 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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois 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 Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois have?	5-10 puppies	5-10 puppies	6-10 puppies
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Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Belgian Malinois Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Not recognized by FCI.
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 Canadian Canine Registry	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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