German Shepherd vs Alaskan Malamute

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to weight, German Shepherd offers 50-90 lbs compared to Alaskan Malamute's 75-100 lbs. When it comes to height, German Shepherd offers 22-26 inches compared to Alaskan Malamute's 23-25 inches. When it comes to lifespan, German Shepherd offers 7-10 years compared to Alaskan Malamute's 10-14 years.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two breeds.

Size
German Shepherd
Large
Alaskan Malamute
Large
Weight
German Shepherd
50-90 lbs
Alaskan Malamute
75-100 lbs
Height
German Shepherd
22-26 inches
Alaskan Malamute
23-25 inches
Lifespan
German Shepherd
7-10 years
Alaskan Malamute
10-14 years
Temperament
German Shepherd
LoyalConfidentCourageous
Alaskan Malamute
AffectionateLoyalPlayful
Group
German Shepherd
Herding
Alaskan Malamute
Working
Origin
German Shepherd
Germany
Alaskan Malamute
United States

German Shepherd

German Shepherd is a large Herding breed from Germany. Known for being loyal, confident, courageous. Has an average lifespan of 7-10 years and a weight range of 50-90 lbs.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute is a large Working breed from United States. Known for being affectionate, loyal, playful. Has an average lifespan of 10-14 years and a weight range of 75-100 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeGerman ShepherdAlaskan MalamuteVerdict
SizeLargeLargeBoth are large-sized dogs
Weight50-90 lbs75-100 lbsAlaskan Malamute is heavier (approx. 20% difference)
Height22-26"23-25"Different heights (22-26" vs 23-25")
Life Span7-10 yrs10-14 yrsAlaskan Malamute tends to live longer (10-14 vs 7-10 years)
Breed GroupHerdingWorkingDifferent groups: Herding vs Working
OriginGermanyUnited StatesDifferent origins: Germany vs United States
TemperamentLoyal, Confident, CourageousAffectionate, Loyal, PlayfulDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a German Shepherd bigger than a Alaskan Malamute?

Both are large-sized dogs. German Shepherd weighs 50-90 lbs while Alaskan Malamute weighs 75-100 lbs.

Which lives longer, German Shepherd or Alaskan Malamute?

Alaskan Malamute tends to live longer (10-14 vs 7-10 years)

Are German Shepherds and Alaskan Malamutes good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The German Shepherd is known for being loyal, confident, courageous, while the Alaskan Malamute is affectionate, loyal, playful.

What is the difference between a German Shepherd and a Alaskan Malamute?

The main differences are in size (Large vs Large), origin (Germany vs United States), and breed group (Herding vs Working).

Which breed is easier to train, German Shepherd or Alaskan Malamute?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The German Shepherd (Loyal, Confident, Courageous) and Alaskan Malamute (Affectionate, Loyal, Playful) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.