Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Comparison - Dog breed selector: Lab or Irish Red Setter or Short-Haired Collie? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie" Compare Labrador Retriever and Irish Setter. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Labrador Retriever	Irish Setter	Smooth Collie
Origins	England Canada	Ireland	Scotland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Gun Dog	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	1	72	354
Reviews	9	4	2
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Lab Labrador	Irish Red Setter Red Setter	Short-Haired Collie
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Which is the smallest dog, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Irish Setter? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie weight comparison:	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 55-65 pounds (25-29 kg)	Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 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: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg)
Height Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)	Male: 24–26 inch (60–66 cm), Female: 22–24 inch (55–61 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Which is more expensive?	$1000-$2000	$800-$1000	$400-$600
Availability Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Irish Setter is quite easy to get.	Average: The Smooth Collie is a commonly available dog breed.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie intelligence:	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Irish Setter dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Very smart: Smooth Collie is an excellent dog breed. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie trainability comparison.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Irish Setter dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Irish Setter dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? 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.	Irish Setter dogs are not the best to protect their territory. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie behavior/temperament comparison:	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful	Playful Independent Energetic Intelligent Affectionate Lively Companionable	Protective Intelligent Friendly Responsive Loyal Gentle Social
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	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.	Sensitive: Smooth Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	High: Irish Setter dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Smooth Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie social needs comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Irish Setter dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Irish Setter dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? 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.	Irish Setter dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie playfulness comparison:	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Irish Setter is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Smooth Collie is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Low: The Irish Setter barks none to minimal. See more.	Average to High: The Smooth Collie is a vocal breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Irish Setter breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Smooth Collie indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie 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.	Irish Setter dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Smooth Collie dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Irish Setter dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Smooth Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Irish Setter bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Smooth Collie bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Irish Setter has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Smooth Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie mouthiness comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Irish Setter dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Irish Setter is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Smooth Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie 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	Hip Dysplasia Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Panosteitis Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Canine Leukocyte	Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Drug Sensitivity Collie Eye Anomaly Gray Collie Syndrome
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Irish Setter should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Smooth Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter and Smooth Collie breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Irish Setter: 13 years	14-16 years The average lifespan of Smooth Collie: 15 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	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 average to cold weather conditions The Irish Setter can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie energy level comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are high-energy dogs.	Smooth Collie dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	Irish Setter dogs need a lot of exercises.	Smooth Collie dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	Irish Setter dogs don't need too much sleep.	Smooth Collie dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Average: The Irish Setter has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Smooth Collie has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie coat comparison:	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Fine	Dense Thick Flat
Colors What are the original Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter and Smooth Collie color?	Black Yellow Chocolate	Red Mahogany	White Sable Merle Black & White & Tan Blue & Merle Blue & Merle & White Sable & White White & Merle
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Advanced: The Irish Setter requires a lot of grooming. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or {name3 shedding:	Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	Irish Setter dogs shed moderately. See more.	Smooth Collie dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	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 Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Irish Setter has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Smooth Collie has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The Irish Setter is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The Smooth Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Irish Setter dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.	Smooth Collie dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Which dog is more friendly?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Smooth Collie dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Smooth Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	Smooth Collie dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Smooth Collie dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	Yes Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Irish Setter dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Smooth Collie 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 Irish Setter is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Smooth Collie 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.	Irish Setters are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Smooth Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie 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.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Labrador Retriever or Irish Setter or Smooth Collie? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
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.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
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.	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 Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie?	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Yes Irish Setter breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really Smooth Collie 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.	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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	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.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Labrador Retriever and Irish Setter and Smooth Collie have?	5-10 puppies	7-10 puppies	4-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Labrador Retriever vs Irish Setter vs Smooth Collie 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 1878 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Herding 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 Pointing Dogs group, in the British and Irish Pointers and Setters section.	Not recognized by FCI.
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. 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. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club

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