Compare Dogs Breeds Side by Side
Pick any two dog breeds to compare size, lifespan, energy, training and care.
Popular comparisons
Bichon Frise vs MalteseBoth are small white companion dogs with low-shedding coats. The Bichon Frise is a sturdier, curly-coated clown that loves company; the Maltese is smaller and more delicate, with a long, silky coat, and is often more of a devoted lap dog.Lhasa Apso vs Shih TzuTwo small long-coated breeds from Tibet that are often confused. The Shih Tzu was bred purely as a companion and is usually friendlier with everyone; the Lhasa Apso was a monastery watchdog and tends to be more independent and wary of strangers.Cane Corso vs RottweilerBoth are large, powerful guardian breeds that need an experienced, consistent owner. The Cane Corso is a larger Italian mastiff, more reserved and territorial; the Rottweiler is a little smaller, often more playful and outgoing with its family, and has a long history as a working and police dog.Australian Shepherd vs Border CollieTwo brilliant, high-energy herding breeds that need a job. The Border Collie is often regarded as the most intelligent and intense herder, with a strong "eye" and focus; the Australian Shepherd is a little sturdier, often more playful and outgoing with its family, and more protective with strangers.Boston Terrier vs French BulldogTwo small, flat-faced companion dogs that suit city life. The Boston Terrier is lighter, longer-legged and more energetic, and usually has fewer breathing problems; the French Bulldog is heavier, calmer and more prone to breathing, spine and heat issues because of its very short face and compact build.Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian HuskyBoth are Arctic sled dogs with thick double coats and independent minds, but they were built for different jobs. The Alaskan Malamute is much larger and heavier, bred to haul loads; the Siberian Husky is lighter and faster, bred to cover long distances. Both need lots of exercise and shed heavily.Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Pembroke Welsh CorgiTwo separate breeds from Wales that look alike at a glance. The Cardigan is slightly larger and heavier-boned, has a long fox-like tail and comes in more colours, including merle; the Pembroke is a little smaller, more outgoing and usually has a docked or naturally short tail.Belgian Malinois vs German ShepherdBoth are intelligent herding breeds used by police and the military, but the Belgian Malinois is lighter, faster and far more intense. The German Shepherd is usually the better choice for a family that wants a capable, trainable guardian; the Malinois suits experienced handlers with a serious job or sport for it.Border Collie vs Siberian HuskyBoth are high-energy working dogs with lots of stamina, but the Border Collie is intensely focused on its handler and very trainable, while the Siberian Husky is independent and prefers to run. Neither suits a sedentary home.Labrador Retriever vs PoodleBoth are friendly, very intelligent sporting dogs, and both were originally water retrievers. The Labrador sheds a lot and needs little grooming; the Standard Poodle sheds very little but needs regular clipping. Poodles also come in smaller sizes.Beagle vs Labrador RetrieverBoth are friendly, sociable family dogs that love food, but the Beagle is a smaller scent hound that tends to follow its nose and ignore you, while the Labrador is a bigger retriever that is eager to please and easier to train.French Bulldog vs PoodleBoth are popular city dogs, but they differ in coat, energy and health. The French Bulldog sheds lightly, needs little exercise and has breathing problems; the Poodle barely sheds, needs regular clipping, is very athletic and comes in three sizes.Dachshund vs French BulldogBoth are small, popular and full of personality, and both have health problems linked to their body shape: the Dachshund's long back makes it prone to disc disease, while the French Bulldog's flat face causes breathing problems. Dachshunds are more independent and vocal; Frenchies are more easy-going.Beagle vs French BulldogTwo small, popular dogs with very different needs. The Beagle is an energetic scent hound that needs plenty of walks and loves to follow its nose; the French Bulldog is a calm, low-energy companion that suits apartments but has breathing problems related to its flat face.Labrador Retriever vs Siberian HuskyBoth are friendly, energetic dogs that rarely make good guard dogs, but the Labrador is eager to please while the Husky is independent. Labs are easier to train and usually more relaxed indoors; Huskies need a lot of running and a very secure garden.Golden Retriever vs Siberian HuskyBoth are friendly, good-looking and energetic, but the Golden Retriever lives to please its people while the Siberian Husky is independent and driven to run. Goldens are much easier to train and can usually be trusted off-lead; Huskies usually cannot.German Shepherd vs Siberian HuskyBoth are wolf-like, medium-to-large dogs with thick double coats, but they behave very differently. The German Shepherd is eager to please, highly trainable and protective. The Siberian Husky is friendly, independent and famously hard to recall — it was bred to run, not to guard.Border Collie vs Labrador RetrieverBoth are top-tier working dogs and easy to train, but the Labrador is a sociable, adaptable family dog while the Border Collie is a high-intensity herder that needs serious daily work. Labs are generally more forgiving for beginners.Border Collie vs Golden RetrieverBoth are smart, trainable and affectionate, but they suit very different homes. The Golden Retriever is a laid-back family companion once out of puppyhood; the Border Collie is an intense herding dog that needs a job and can struggle in a quiet household. For most families the Golden is the easier choice.Border Collie vs German ShepherdTwo of the cleverest working breeds, but built for different work. The Border Collie is a medium-sized, lightning-fast sheepdog with an intense herding drive and almost limitless stamina. The German Shepherd is larger and more powerful, an all-round working dog that is also a natural guardian. Neither is happy without a job.Beagle vs DachshundBoth are small, sturdy scent hounds with big personalities, stubborn streaks and powerful noses. The Beagle was bred to hunt in packs, so it is sociable with other dogs and very vocal; the Dachshund was bred to go underground after badgers, so it is bold, independent and can be wary of strangers. The Dachshund's long back needs particular care.German Shepherd vs Golden RetrieverBoth are large, intelligent and devoted, and both are used as service and search dogs. The Golden Retriever is soft-natured and friendly to almost everyone; the German Shepherd is more reserved, more protective and more intense. Both shed a lot and both need serious daily exercise.German Shepherd vs Labrador RetrieverTwo of the most popular breeds in the world, and both are used as working dogs — but their personalities are very different. The German Shepherd is a loyal, watchful guardian that bonds closely with its family and is naturally wary of strangers. The Labrador is outgoing and friendly with everyone, which makes it a poor guard dog but an easy family companion.Golden Retriever vs PoodleBoth are friendly, very trainable family dogs that rank among the easiest breeds to teach. The big difference is the coat: the Golden Retriever sheds heavily, while the Poodle has a tight, curly, low-shedding coat that keeps growing and needs professional clipping. Poodles also come in three sizes, so you can choose anything from a toy to a 60-pound Standard.English Bulldog vs French BulldogRelated breeds with the same easy-going, affectionate nature, but different sizes. The English Bulldog is a heavier, wider, medium-sized dog; the French Bulldog is small and portable with bat ears. Both have short faces and need careful management of heat, breathing and weight.Golden Retriever vs Labrador RetrieverTwo of the most popular family dogs, with very similar temperaments: friendly, eager to please and easy to train. The Lab is a little more compact, higher-energy in youth and lower-maintenance to groom; the Golden has a long, feathered coat that needs regular brushing and tends to be slightly softer in manner.