Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Comparison - Dog breed selector: Little Blue Dog or Gordon Castle Setters or Irish Red Setter? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter" Compare Australian Shepherd and Gordon Setter. Which is better: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?

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	Australian Shepherd	Gordon Setter	Irish Setter
Origins	United States	Scotland	Ireland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Gun Dog	Gun Dog
Popularity Rank	17	104	72
Reviews	7	1	4
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Little Blue Dog Aussie	Gordon Castle Setters	Irish Red Setter Red Setter
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Which is the smallest dog, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Gordon Setter? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter weight comparison:	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	Male: 55-80 pounds (25-36 kg), Female: 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg)	Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 55-65 pounds (25-29 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg)	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter height comparison:	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm), Female: 23-26 inches (58-66 cm)	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 25.5 inches (65 cm), Female: 24.5 inches (62 cm)	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Which is more expensive?	$600-$800	$800-$1000	$800-$1000
Availability Which is easier to get, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Gordon Setter is easier than average to get.	Very frequent: The Irish Setter is quite easy to get.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter intelligence:	Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Smart: The Gordon Setter dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Smart: The Irish Setter dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter trainability comparison.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs are easy to train. See more.	Irish Setter 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: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs are good watchdogs. See more.	Irish Setter dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs are average defenders. See more.	Irish Setter dogs are not the best to protect their territory. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured	Alert Intelligent Confident Loyal Fearless Eager	Playful Independent Energetic Intelligent Affectionate Lively Companionable
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: Australian Shepherd 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.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Gordon Setter dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Irish Setter dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter social needs comparison:	Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Irish Setter dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Gordon Setter is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Irish Setter dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Irish Setter dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter playfulness comparison:	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Gordon Setter is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Irish Setter is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Gordon Setter barks occasionally. See more.	Low: The Irish Setter barks none to minimal. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	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 Australian Shepherd indoors.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Gordon Setter breed.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Irish Setter breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Gordon Setter 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.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Australian Shepherd dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Irish Setter dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Gordon Setter bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Irish Setter 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:	Low 🔽 The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Gordon Setter has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Irish Setter has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter mouthiness comparison:	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Irish Setter dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter health comparison. Which is the healthier: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Gordon Setter 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.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Deafness Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Distichiasis Collie Eye Anomaly Detached Retina Nasal Solar Dermatitis Osteochondrosis Dissecans Persistent Pupillary Membranes	No data available	Hip Dysplasia Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Panosteitis Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Canine Leukocyte
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Gordon Setter 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.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter lifespan comparison. How long do Australian Shepherd, Gordon Setter and Irish Setter breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Gordon Setter: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Irish Setter: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Australian Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Gordon Setter can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. 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.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter energy level comparison:	Australian Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Gordon Setter dogs are high-energy dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Australian Shepherd dogs need a lot of exercises.	Gordon Setter dogs need a lot of exercises.	Irish Setter dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Australian Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Gordon Setter dogs don't need too much sleep.	Irish Setter dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.	3 to 4 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? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter weight gain potential comparison:	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Shepherd's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Average: The Gordon Setter has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Irish Setter has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter coat comparison:	Feathered	Soft Wavy Shiny Straight	Fine
Colors What are the original Australian Shepherd, Gordon Setter and Irish Setter color?	Black Red Blue Merle	Black Tan Red	Red Mahogany
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter grooming comparison:	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Advanced: The Gordon Setter requires a lot of grooming. See more.	Advanced: The Irish Setter requires a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or {name3 shedding:	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Gordon Setter dogs shed moderately. See more.	Irish Setter dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. 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.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Hypoallergenic Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter 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, Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Gordon Setter has an average chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Irish Setter has a high chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Gordon Setter is an average drooler. See more.	The Irish Setter is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Gordon Setter dogs are generally with other pets.	Irish Setter dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Which dog is more friendly?	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Gordon Setter dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Irish Setter dogs are very 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 Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Gordon Setter dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Gordon Setter dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Irish Setter dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter?	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Gordon Setter dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Irish Setter dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	Yes Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Gordon Setter 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.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Gordon Setter is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Irish Setter is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Gordon Setters are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Irish Setters are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Australian Shepherd or Gordon Setter or Irish Setter? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a 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?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a 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.	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: Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter?	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Yes Gordon Setter breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Yes Irish Setter breed usually likes 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.

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter 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 Australian Shepherd and Gordon Setter and Irish Setter have?	6-9 puppies, average 7	6-8 puppies	7-10 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Australian Shepherd vs Gordon Setter vs Irish Setter Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878 as a Sporting breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pointing Dogs group, in the British and Irish Pointers and Setters section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pointing Dogs group, in the British and Irish Pointers and Setters section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Australian Shepherd Club Of America	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	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

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