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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)

Breed comparison

# Golden Retriever or Australian Shepherd: Which breed should you choose?

Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd are two dog breeds often compared by prospective owners. Here’s a point-by-point comparison to help you decide: size, temperament, purchase price, monthly budget, and compatibility with your lifestyle.

[![Golden Retriever](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:120:120/el:1/q:82/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4350/pexels-photo-11106504.jpeg)](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/golden-retriever)

## [Golden Retriever](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/golden-retriever)

Large24–34 kg€1,200 – €1,800

[Full listing](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/golden-retriever) [Find a breeder](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-golden-retriever)

![Golden Retriever - Photo 4](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:160:160/el:1/q:70/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4350/pexels-photo-11106504.jpeg)

![Golden Retriever - Photo 5](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:160:160/el:1/q:70/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4351/pexels-photo-32068316.jpeg) +10

[![Australian Shepherd](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:120:120/el:1/q:82/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4742/berger_australien_tricolore.png)](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd)

## [Australian Shepherd](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd)

Medium19–34 kg€700 – €1,800

[Full listing](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd) [Find a breeder](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-shepherd)

![Australian Shepherd - Photo 4](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:160:160/el:1/q:70/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4742/berger_australien_tricolore.png)

![Australian Shepherd - Photo 5](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:160:160/el:1/q:70/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/8128/berger-australien-3.jpg) +13

## Key takeaways

- Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd are a similar size (24–34 kg).
- Australian Shepherd costs less to buy: €700 – €1,800 compared with €1,200 – €1,800 for Golden Retriever.
- Australian Shepherd costs less day to day: about €119 per month compared with €170 for Golden Retriever.
- Golden Retriever needs less daily activity (4/5 compared with 5/5 for Australian Shepherd).
- For “Families and children,” both breeds are tied (5/5).
- Golden Retriever scores higher for “Apartment living”: 2/5 compared with 1/5 for Australian Shepherd.
- Golden Retriever scores higher for “First-time owners”: 3/5 compared with 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 it every day.
- Dog sports enthusiasts: its speed, concentration and desire to cooperate make it an excellent partner.
- Families often at home: it thrives better when it truly shares the daily life of its loved ones.

## Detailed comparison

|  | [![Golden Retriever](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:240:240/el:1/q:82/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4350/pexels-photo-11106504.jpeg)<h3>Golden Retriever</h3>](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/golden-retriever) | [![Australian Shepherd](https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:240:240/el:1/q:82/f:webp/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/4742/berger_australien_tricolore.png)<h3>Australian Shepherd</h3>](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General information |  | |
| Origin | United Kingdom | United States |
| FCI group  | 8 | 1 |
| Build  | Large | Medium |
| Height at the 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 years | 12–15 years |
| Average price  | €1,200 – €1,800 | €700 – €1,800 |
| Monthly budget  | ≈ €170 | ≈ €119 |
| Compatibility |  | |
| Families and children  | Excellent | Excellent |
| Daily exercise needs  | High | Very high |
| Apartment living  | Fair | Limited |
| First-time owners  | Good | Fair |
| Other pets  | Very good | Very good |
| Tolerance of being alone  | Limited | Fair |
| Guarding instinct  | Fair | Good |
| Strengths and weaknesses |  | |
|  | <ul><li>Obedient</li><li>Low risk of running away</li><li>Not very destructive</li><li>Good health</li><li>Rarely drools</li><li>High exercise needs</li><li>Not very adaptable</li><li>Barks a lot</li><li>High-maintenance coat</li><li>Sheds a lot</li></ul> | <ul><li>Obedient</li><li>Low risk of running away</li><li>Not very destructive</li><li>Robust health</li><li>Rarely drools</li><li>High exercise needs</li><li>Not very adaptable</li><li>Barks a lot</li><li>High-maintenance coat</li><li>Sheds a lot</li></ul> |

[Add a third breed](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=golden-retriever,australian-shepherd) [Which dog should you choose?](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)

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