Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd

Side-by-side comparison

Size
Labrador Retriever
Large
Australian Shepherd
Large
Weight
Labrador Retriever
55-80 lbs
Australian Shepherd
40-65 lbs
Height
Labrador Retriever
21-25 inches
Australian Shepherd
18-23 inches
Lifespan
Labrador Retriever
10-12 years
Australian Shepherd
12-15 years
Temperament
Labrador Retriever
FriendlyActiveOutgoing
Australian Shepherd
SmartWork-OrientedExuberant
Group
Labrador Retriever
Sporting
Australian Shepherd
Herding
Origin
Labrador Retriever
Canada
Australian Shepherd
United States

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 Shepherd

Australian Shepherd is a large Herding breed from United States. Known for being smart, work-oriented, exuberant. Has an average lifespan of 12-15 years and a weight range of 40-65 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeLabrador RetrieverAustralian ShepherdVerdict
SizeLargeLargeBoth are large-sized dogs
Weight55-80 lbs40-65 lbsLabrador Retriever is heavier (approx. 29% difference)
Height21-25"18-23"Different heights (21-25" vs 18-23")
Life Span10-12 yrs12-15 yrsAustralian Shepherd tends to live longer (12-15 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingHerdingDifferent groups: Sporting vs Herding
OriginCanadaUnited StatesDifferent origins: Canada vs United States
TemperamentFriendly, Active, OutgoingSmart, Work-Oriented, ExuberantDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Labrador Retriever bigger than a Australian Shepherd?

Both are large-sized dogs. Labrador Retriever weighs 55-80 lbs while Australian Shepherd weighs 40-65 lbs.

Which lives longer, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd?

Australian Shepherd tends to live longer (12-15 vs 10-12 years)

Are Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Labrador Retriever is known for being friendly, active, outgoing, while the Australian Shepherd is smart, work-oriented, exuberant.

What is the difference between a Labrador Retriever and a Australian Shepherd?

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

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

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Labrador Retriever (Friendly, Active, Outgoing) and Australian Shepherd (Smart, Work-Oriented, Exuberant) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.