| Akita | Belgian Malinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 10-14 years | 12-14 years |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Weight | 70-130 lb | 40-80 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | Very high |
| Grooming | High | Low |
| Shedding | High | High |
| With kids | Not ideal for young kids | With supervision |
The AKC's own breed standard warns that Akitas 'may be intolerant of other dogs, particularly of the same sex' — that's not a rare temperament quirk, it's written into the official standard, and it's a major reason the breed is refused or surcharged by roughly 4 in 5 home-insurance breed-restriction lists.
This is a police- and military-grade working dog with drive most pet homes cannot use up, and it is one of the most common breeds surrendered to breed-specific rescues by people who bought it because it looked like a lean, cool German Shepherd.
Akita ·
Belgian Malinois
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.