Border Collie vs Alaskan Malamute
Compare Border Collie and Alaskan Malamute side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Border Collie
Alaskan Malamute
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
52 – 53 cm
58 – 64 cm
Weight
12 – 20 kg
33 – 39 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 15 years
10 – 12 years
Child friendly
3/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
5/5
4/5
Trainability
5/5
3/5
Health
3/5
3/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
5/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
4/5
Characteristics
Border Collie
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Medium
Alaskan Malamute
Super smart
Protective
Large
Summary
About Border Collie
The Border Collie is a medium, athletic herding dog known for intense focus, high intelligence and very high energy. Developed to work sheep all day, it excels in herding, sports and training. It needs plenty of exercise, mental stimulation and structured guidance in an active home.
About Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a large, powerful Arctic sled dog bred by the Mahlemut Inuit to pull heavy loads. It has a dense double coat that sheds heavily, a friendly, social nature, strong prey and working drive, high exercise needs, and can be independent and challenging to train.
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