Comparator
Golden Retriever or Australian Shepherd: which breed to choose?
Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd are two dog breeds often compared by future adopters. Here is a point-by-point comparison to help you decide: size, temperament, purchase price, monthly budget, and compatibility with your lifestyle.
+4
+4
Key takeaways
- Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd are similar in size (24–34 kg).
- Australian Shepherd is cheaper to buy: 700–1,800 € vs 1,200–1,800 € for Golden Retriever.
- Day to day, Australian Shepherd costs less: about 119 € per month vs 170 € for Golden Retriever.
- Golden Retriever needs less daily activity (4/5 vs 5/5 for Australian Shepherd).
- For “Family & children”, both breeds are tied (5/5).
- Golden Retriever is rated higher for “Apartment living”: 2/5 vs 1/5 for Australian Shepherd.
- Golden Retriever is rated higher for “First-time owner”: 3/5 vs 2/5 for Australian Shepherd.
- Both breeds have a similar life expectancy: 12–14 years.
Our verdict
Choose Golden Retriever if you’re looking for…
- Active families : He likes sharing walks, games and regular human presence.
- Committed first-time adopters : His cooperative nature makes him easy to handle if daily needs are met.
- Households with children : His natural gentleness often makes him a very good companion for family life.
Choose Australian Shepherd if you’re looking for…
- Active households : it is well suited to people who are available to walk, play and work with him every day.
- Dog sports enthusiasts : his speed, his focus and his desire to cooperate make him an excellent partner.
- Present families : he thrives best when he truly shares the daily life of those close to him.
Detailed comparison
| General information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom | United States |
| FCI group | 8 | 1 |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Height at withers | 51–61 cm | 46–58 cm |
| Weight | 24–34 kg | 19–34 kg |
| Coat | Medium-long, dense | Medium-long, straight to wavy |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 ans | 12–15 ans |
| Average price | 1,200–1,800 € | 700–1,800 € |
| Monthly budget | ≈ 170 € | ≈ 119 € |
| Compatibility | ||
| Family & children | Excellent | Excellent |
| Daily activity required | High | Very high |
| Apartment living | Fairly good | Limited |
| First-time owner | Good | Fairly good |
| Other pets | Very good | Very good |
| Tolerance for being alone | Limited | Fairly good |
| Guarding instinct | Fairly good | Good |
| Pros & Cons | ||
|
|
Other popular dogs comparisons
- Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie
- Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever
- Cavalier King Charles vs King Charles Spaniel
- German Shepherd Dog vs Belgian Malinois
- French Bulldog vs English Bulldog
- Siberian Husky vs Alaskan Malamute
- Akita Inu vs Shiba Inu
- Cane Corso vs Dogo Argentino
- Beagle vs Jack Russell Terrier
- Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier
- Maltese vs Shih Tzu
- English Cocker Spaniel vs Brittany
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Shepherd vs German Shepherd Dog
- Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Dog
- Rottweiler vs Dobermann
- Boxer vs Dogue de Bordeaux
- Bernese Mountain Dog vs Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard vs Leonberger
- Poodle vs Bichon Frise
- Pug vs French Bulldog
- Dachshund vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Border Collie vs Belgian Malinois
- White Swiss Shepherd Dog vs German Shepherd Dog
- Samoyed vs Siberian Husky
- German Spitz vs Chihuahua
- Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle
- Cavapoo vs Maltipoo
- Akita Inu vs American Akita
- Shetland Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
- Whippet vs Greyhound
- English Setter vs Irish Red Setter
- Bull Terrier vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier
- Great Dane vs Cane Corso
- Cane Corso vs Rottweiler
- Beauceron vs Belgian Malinois
- Brittany vs English Setter
- Jack Russell Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier
- Shar-Pei vs Chow Chow
- Dalmatian vs Weimaraner