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Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Comparison – Which dog is better Lab or Mally?

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute" Compare Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
 
 
 
Name Labrador Retriever Alaskan Malamute
OriginsEngland flagEngland Canada flagCanada United States flagUnited States
Group Gun Dog Sled Dogs
Popularity Rank159
Reviews93
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Lab
Labrador
Mally
Mal
Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute breed type comparison:
Purebred Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Size and Weight Comparison

Size
Which dog is bigger, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Is the Labrador Retriever bigger than the Alaskan Malamute breed? Is a Labrador Retriever smaller than an Alaskan Malamute?
Large Large
Weight
Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute weight comparison:
Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg)
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?
Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg)
Height
Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Is a Labrador Retriever taller than an Alaskan Malamute?
Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm) Male: 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm), Female: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm) Male: 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm), Female: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Price and Availability Comparison

Price
Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute?
$1000-$2000 $1200-$1500
Availability
Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Alaskan Malamute is quite easy to get.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute smarter? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute intelligence:
Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds.
See more.
Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it.
See more.
Trainability
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute trainability comparison. What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are easy to train.
See more.
Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?
Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute behavior/temperament comparison:
Playful
Loving
Energetic
Alert
Intelligent
Friendly
Responsive
Affectionate
Loyal
Gentle
Going
Social
Cheerful
Playful
Dignified
Friendly
Affectionate
Loyal
Devoted
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
See more.
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
See more.
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence.
See more.
Average: Alaskan Malamute dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level.
See more.
Social Needs
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute social needs comparison:
Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are a social breed.
See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.
See more.
Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute? Which can be better for hunting?
Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute playfulness comparison:
The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed.
See more.
The Alaskan Malamute is a playful breed.
See more.
Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally.
See more.
Low to Average: The Alaskan Malamute rarely barks.
See more.
Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.
Not an apartment-friendly dog the Alaskan Malamute breed.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?
Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Average: Alaskan Malamute dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Alaskan Malamute dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Alaskan Malamute bite force: Ordinary.
Biting Potential
Is a Labrador Retriever more dangerous than an Alaskan Malamute?

Moderate

The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.

Moderate

The Alaskan Malamute has an average chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute mouthiness comparison:
Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
The Alaskan Malamute is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute health problems comparison:
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Bloat
Epilepsy
Ear Infections
Elbow Dysplasia
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
Acute Moist Dermatitis
Cold Tail
Myopathy
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Hypothyroidism
Chondrodysplasia
Hemeralopia
Inherited Polyneuropathy
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Average
The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Average
The Alaskan Malamute should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Life Expectancy
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute?
10-12 years
The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years
11-15 years
The average lifespan of Alaskan Malamute: 13 years
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
See more.
Prefers cold weather
The Alaskan Malamute can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level
Who has more energy a Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute energy level comparison:
Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are high-energy dogs.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.
Alaskan Malamute dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.
Alaskan Malamute dogs don't need too much sleep.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Does the Labrador Retriever breed eat more than the Alaskan Malamute breed?
Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Recommended daily amount: 4 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute weight gain potential comparison:
High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight.
See more.
Average: The Alaskan Malamute has an average risk for obesity.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute coat comparison:
Dense
Waterproof
Hard
Short
Dense
Rough
Thick
Weather-resistant
Colors
What are the original Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute color? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute color comparison:
Black
Yellow
Chocolate
Black
Gray
Red
White
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute grooming comparison:
Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming.
See more.
Average: The Alaskan Malamute requires average grooming effort.
See more.
Shedding Level
Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Do Labrador Retriever dogs shed more than Alaskan Malamute dogs?
Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately.
See more.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are heavy shedders.
See more.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds.
See more.
6-8 weeks
Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
See more.
Hypoallergenic
Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?
No See more. No See more.
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?

High 🔼

The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.

Low 🔽

The Alaskan Malamute has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler.
See more.
The Alaskan Malamute is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?
Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Alaskan Malamute dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Which dog is more friendly?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute?
Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Can a Labrador Retriever and an Alaskan Malamute be friends? Do Labrador Retriever dogs get along with Alaskan Malamute dogs?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Alaskan Malamute dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?
Yes
Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Alaskan Malamute dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office?
No
Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
Alaskan Malamute is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people?
Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Alaskan Malamutes are usually recommended for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
See more.

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog.
See more.
Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Labrador Retriever or Alaskan Malamute? Which is better for autism?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
See more.

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog.
See more.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog?

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute?

Yes

Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat.
See more.

Not really

Alaskan Malamute breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
See more.

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.
Litter Size
How many puppies can Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute have? Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute litter size comparison:
5-10 puppies 4-10 puppies

Labrador Retriever vs Alaskan Malamute Recognition Comparison

AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935 as a Working breed.
FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI?
Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Sledge Dogs section.
Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Canadian Canine Registry
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

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    Sep 10, 2021, 9:31:32 AM: