Compare

Two at a time: the facts side by side, then a plain verdict on who should choose which.

Akita vs Shiba Inu Two reserved, independent Japanese spitz breeds that shed heavily; the Akita is a large, dignified guardian, the Shiba a small dog that suits apartments. Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian Husky Both are thick-coated Arctic sled dogs for cool climates; the Malamute is bigger and more strong-willed, the Husky lighter, faster and more energetic. American Eskimo Dog vs Samoyed Two white, heavy-shedding spitz breeds that bark a lot; the American Eskimo Dog comes in small sizes and trains easily, the Samoyed is larger and friendlier. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier Two muscular terriers needing training and socialization; the American Staffordshire is larger and strong-willed, the Staffordshire Bull smaller. Anatolian Shepherd Dog vs Great Pyrenees Two independent livestock guardians for rural homes; the Anatolian is rangier and handles heat, the Great Pyrenees is furrier, gentler and sheds more. Australian Cattle Dog vs Border Collie Both are high-drive herding dogs for experienced, active owners; the Cattle Dog is tough and wary with a simpler coat, the Border Collie more demanding. Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Both herding dogs need hours of activity and work; the Border Collie is the more intense, the Australian Shepherd somewhat more relaxed and a heavier shedder. Basset Hound vs Beagle Two easygoing, vocal scent hounds; the Basset is lower, slower and heavier, the Beagle lighter, livelier and better in warm weather. Beagle vs Dachshund Two small hounds with big voices; the Beagle is sturdier, livelier and better with children, the Dachshund smaller, bolder and better suited to apartments. Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd Dog Both are trainable herding dogs used in police work; the Malinois is the more intense and needs experienced handling, the German Shepherd Dog is more moderate. Bernese Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever Both are large, child-friendly heavy shedders; the Bernese is bigger, calmer and suited to cold, the Golden more energetic, trainable and longer-lived. Bichon Frise vs Poodle Both are curly, non-shedding dogs with heavy grooming needs; the Bichon is small and apartment-friendly, the Poodle larger, more active and more trainable. Boston Terrier vs French Bulldog Both are small, short-nosed city dogs; the Boston Terrier is livelier and more trainable, the French Bulldog calmer and a little stockier. Brittany vs English Springer Spaniel Both are medium sporting dogs for active homes; the Brittany is lighter, more energetic and easier to groom, the Springer sturdier with a higher-care coat. Bull Terrier vs Miniature Bull Terrier Same comic, playful temperament in two sizes; the Bull Terrier is larger and needs more room, the Miniature Bull Terrier fits apartments with daily exercise. Bulldog vs French Bulldog Both are short-faced, heat-sensitive apartment dogs; the Bulldog is heavier, calmer and costlier to keep, the French Bulldog smaller with an easier coat. Cane Corso vs Neapolitan Mastiff Both are big Italian guardians for experienced owners; the Cane Corso is more active and trainable, the Neapolitan Mastiff heavier, calmer and heat-sensitive. Cane Corso vs Rottweiler Two powerful guardian breeds for experienced owners; the Cane Corso has the shorter coat and lower energy, the Rottweiler is calmer and a little heavier. Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi Both are short-legged herding corgis with matching exercise needs; the Cardigan is larger and steadier, the Pembroke more talkative and a heavier shedder. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cocker Spaniel Two gentle spaniels of similar exercise needs; the Cavalier is smaller, quieter and the best match for children, while the Cocker needs much more grooming. Chihuahua vs Pomeranian Two tiny, loud toy dogs for adult homes; the Chihuahua needs far less brushing, the Pomeranian is more trainable but sheds and needs frequent grooming. Cocker Spaniel vs English Cocker Spaniel Two cocker spaniels of different build; the Cocker is smaller with a heavier coat, the English Cocker taller, more active and better with children. Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog Two long-coated, sensitive herding dogs that look alike; the Collie is large, gentle and best with children, the Sheltie small, vocal and quicker to train. Doberman Pinscher vs German Shepherd Dog Both are trainable, protective working dogs; the Doberman sheds little but dislikes cold, the German Shepherd sheds heavily and copes better with cold. Doberman Pinscher vs Rottweiler Both are large guardian breeds for experienced owners; the Doberman is lighter, more trainable and cold-sensitive, the Rottweiler heavier and calmer. English Setter vs Irish Setter Two feathered setters for active homes with room to run; the English Setter is gentler and better with children, the Irish Setter livelier with more stamina. French Bulldog vs Pug Two small, short-faced apartment companions; the Pug is lighter and sheds more, the French Bulldog is sturdier with an easier coat. German Shepherd Dog vs Rottweiler Two large, protective working breeds; the German Shepherd Dog is more trainable and sheds more, the Rottweiler heavier, calmer and harder for first-timers. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Labrador Retriever Two sporting breeds for active homes; the Pointer is more energetic with a low-shedding coat, the Labrador easier for first-timers and better with children. Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever The two retrievers match closely on energy, trainability and shedding; the Golden has the longer coat and so needs more grooming than the Labrador. Great Dane vs Mastiff Both are giant, gentle breeds with big costs and short lives; the Great Dane is taller and lighter, the Mastiff heavier, calmer and more heat-sensitive. Greyhound vs Whippet Two quiet, gentle sighthounds that suit apartments; the Greyhound is larger and calmer, the Whippet smaller, more playful and better in warm weather. Havanese vs Maltese Both are small, low-shedding, long-coated apartment dogs; the Havanese is more trainable and better with children, the Maltese smaller and more delicate. Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Two sensitive, quiet sighthounds; the Italian Greyhound is a delicate toy breed for adult homes, the Whippet a sturdier medium dog that suits children better. Maltese vs Shih Tzu Both are silky-coated apartment dogs that need daily grooming; the Maltese is smaller and barks more, the Shih Tzu sturdier and better with children. Miniature Schnauzer vs Standard Schnauzer Two low-shedding watchdogs; the Miniature is smaller, more trainable and better in apartments, the Standard sturdier and more active. Miniature Schnauzer vs Yorkshire Terrier Both are small, low-shedding terriers that bark; the Miniature Schnauzer is bigger, much more trainable and better with children, the Yorkie tinier. Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard Two giant, gentle, cold-weather breeds that drool; the Newfoundland has the heavier coat and loves water, the Saint Bernard is bulkier. Parson Russell Terrier vs Russell Terrier Near-identical in temperament and demands; the Parson Russell is taller and leggier, the Russell Terrier shorter, lighter and better in the heat. Pomeranian vs Yorkshire Terrier Two tiny, vocal toy dogs for adult homes; the Pomeranian sheds more and trains more easily, the Yorkie sheds little but needs the most grooming. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Vizsla Two athletic, short-coated dogs for active owners; the Ridgeback is larger, reserved and heat-tolerant, the Vizsla smaller and wants company. Vizsla vs Weimaraner Both are short-coated, high-drive hunting breeds for athletic owners; the Vizsla is smaller and softer, the Weimaraner larger and more strong-willed.