Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Comparison - Dog breed selector: Old English Mastiff or Stafford or Malinois? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois" Compare Mastiff and American Staffordshire Terrier. Which is better: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?

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	Mastiff	American Staffordshire Terrier	Belgian Malinois
Origins	England	United States	Belgium
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Hunting Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	28	83	44
Reviews	3	6	3
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Old English Mastiff English Mastiff	Stafford Staffy Amstaff	Malinois
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Which is the smallest dog, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Giant	Medium	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois weight comparison:	Male: 150-250 pounds (68-113 kg), Female: 120-180 pounds (54-82 kg)	57-67 pounds (25-30 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: 200 pounds (90.5 kg), Female: 150 pounds (68 kg)	62 pounds (27.5 kg)	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois height comparison:	Male: 30 inches (76 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (70 cm)	Male: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm), Female: 16-18 inches (41-46 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: 30 inches (76 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (70 cm)	Male: 18 inches (45.5 cm), Female: 17 inches (43.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Which is more expensive?	$1200-$1500	$800-$1000	$1200-$1400
Availability Which is easier to get, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Very frequent: The Mastiff is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The American Staffordshire Terrier is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Belgian Malinois is quite easy to get.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Smart: The American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois trainability comparison.	Mastiff dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are easy to train. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Mastiff dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Mastiff dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are average defenders. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois behavior/temperament comparison:	Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Affectionate Loyal Cheerful	Courageous Intelligent Friendly Loyal Devoted Attentive Tenacious	Active Stubborn Protective Alert Confident Friendly Watchful Hard working
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Mastiff dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. 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: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	High: Mastiff dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois social needs comparison:	Mastiff dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are a social breed. See more.	Belgian Malinois dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Mastiff dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs 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?	Their prey drive is low. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier 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.	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.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois playfulness comparison:	Mastiffs are not the most playful dog breed. See more.	The American Staffordshire Terrier is a playful breed. See more.	The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	Low: The Mastiff barks none to minimal. See more.	Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier 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
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	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 Mastiff indoors.	It is not recommended to keep the American Staffordshire Terrier 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

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Mastiff dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Average: American Staffordshire Terrier dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Belgian Malinois dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	American Staffordshire Terrier 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 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.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Mastiff bite force: The Strongest.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Staffordshire Terrier 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
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The Mastiff has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The American Staffordshire Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois mouthiness comparison:	Mastiff dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier 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.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois health comparison. Which is the healthier: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	Mastiffs are commonly healthy dogs.	The American Staffordshire Terrier 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: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Seizures Cystinuria	No data available	Hip Dysplasia Eye Problems Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Mastiff should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois lifespan comparison. How long do Mastiff, American Staffordshire Terrier and Belgian Malinois breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Mastiff: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier: 13 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Belgian Malinois: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Mastiff can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. 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.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois energy level comparison:	Mastiff dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Belgian Malinois dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Mastiff dogs exercise need is minimal.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Belgian Malinois dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Mastiff dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.	Belgian Malinois dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals	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? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois weight gain potential comparison:	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Mastiff's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Low to Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois coat comparison:	Dense	Fine	Weather-resistant Straight
Colors What are the original Mastiff, American Staffordshire Terrier and Belgian Malinois color?	Fawn Brindle Apricot	Black Blue White Brown	Black Cream Fawn Brindle
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois grooming comparison:	Easy to groom: The Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Effortless: The American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or {name3 shedding:	Mastiff dogs shed moderately. See more.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs shed none to minimal. See more.	Belgian Malinois 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: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. 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.
Hypoallergenic Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois 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, Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	High 🔼 The Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The American Staffordshire Terrier has an average 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 Mastiff 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.	The American Staffordshire Terrier is an average drooler. See more.	The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Mastiff dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.	Belgian Malinois dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? Which dog is more friendly?	Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Belgian Malinois 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 Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Mastiff dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Belgian Malinois dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Mastiff dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.	Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois?	Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are not dog-friendly.	Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	Yes Mastiff dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment.	Yes American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the best dog breeds 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?	Mastiffs are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	American Staffordshire Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.	Belgian Malinoiss are usually recommended for elderly people.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used 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: Mastiff or American Staffordshire Terrier or Belgian Malinois? 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?	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.	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?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois?	Not really Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Yes 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.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Mastiff and American Staffordshire Terrier and Belgian Malinois have?	3-5 puppies	5-10 puppies	6-10 puppies
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Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Belgian Malinois Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Bull type Terriers 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	No data available	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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