Labrador Retriever vs Australian Cattle Dog

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Labrador Retriever and Australian Cattle Dog depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, Labrador Retriever offers Large compared to Australian Cattle Dog's Medium. When it comes to weight, Labrador Retriever offers 55-80 lbs compared to Australian Cattle Dog's 35-50 lbs. When it comes to height, Labrador Retriever offers 21-25 inches compared to Australian Cattle Dog's 17-20 inches.

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

Size
Labrador Retriever
Large
Australian Cattle Dog
Medium
Weight
Labrador Retriever
55-80 lbs
Australian Cattle Dog
35-50 lbs
Height
Labrador Retriever
21-25 inches
Australian Cattle Dog
17-20 inches
Lifespan
Labrador Retriever
10-12 years
Australian Cattle Dog
12-16 years
Temperament
Labrador Retriever
FriendlyActiveOutgoing
Australian Cattle Dog
AlertCuriousPleasant
Group
Labrador Retriever
Sporting
Australian Cattle Dog
Herding
Origin
Labrador Retriever
Canada
Australian Cattle Dog
Australia

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever is a large Sporting breed from Canada. Known for being friendly, active, outgoing. Has an average lifespan of 10-12 years and a weight range of 55-80 lbs.

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog is a medium Herding breed from Australia. Known for being alert, curious, pleasant. Has an average lifespan of 12-16 years and a weight range of 35-50 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeLabrador RetrieverAustralian Cattle DogVerdict
SizeLargeMediumLabrador Retriever is the larger breed
Weight55-80 lbs35-50 lbsLabrador Retriever is heavier (approx. 59% difference)
Height21-25"17-20"Different heights (21-25" vs 17-20")
Life Span10-12 yrs12-16 yrsAustralian Cattle Dog tends to live longer (12-16 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingHerdingDifferent groups: Sporting vs Herding
OriginCanadaAustraliaDifferent origins: Canada vs Australia
TemperamentFriendly, Active, OutgoingAlert, Curious, PleasantDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Labrador Retriever bigger than a Australian Cattle Dog?

Labrador Retriever is the larger breed. Labrador Retriever weighs 55-80 lbs while Australian Cattle Dog weighs 35-50 lbs.

Which lives longer, Labrador Retriever or Australian Cattle Dog?

Australian Cattle Dog tends to live longer (12-16 vs 10-12 years)

Are Labrador Retrievers and Australian Cattle Dogs good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Labrador Retriever is known for being friendly, active, outgoing, while the Australian Cattle Dog is alert, curious, pleasant.

What is the difference between a Labrador Retriever and a Australian Cattle Dog?

The main differences are in size (Large vs Medium), origin (Canada vs Australia), and breed group (Sporting vs Herding).

Which breed is easier to train, Labrador Retriever or Australian Cattle Dog?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Labrador Retriever (Friendly, Active, Outgoing) and Australian Cattle Dog (Alert, Curious, Pleasant) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.