Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Comparison - Dog breed selector: Golden Flat Coat or Sheepdog or Alsatian wolf dog? Find the right dog for you
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Compare Golden Retriever and Border Collie. Which is better: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd?
Name | Golden Retriever | Border Collie | German Shepherd |
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Origins | Scotland | England Scotland Wales | Germany |
Group | Gun Dog | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 3 | 38 | 2 |
Reviews | 14 | 13 | 19 |
User Ratings |
Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Golden Flat Coat Yellow Retriever |
Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
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Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
Size
Which is bigger, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which is the smallest dog, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Large | Large | Large |
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Weight
Which is heavier, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or Border Collie? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd weight comparison: | Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) | Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) |
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) | Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
Height
Which is taller, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd height comparison: | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) | Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) |
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm) | Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
Price
Which is cheaper, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive? | $1000-$2000 | $600-$800 | $800-$2000 |
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Availability
Which is easier to get, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Very frequent: The Golden Retriever is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd intelligence: | Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
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Trainability
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd trainability comparison. | Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train. | Border Collie dogs are easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. | Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | Golden Retriever dogs are average defenders. | Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison: |
Intelligent Confident Friendly Reliable Kind Trustworthy |
Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
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Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference? | Golden Retriever dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | High: Golden Retriever dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. | Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? | Golden Retriever dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. | Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting? | Golden Retriever dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Border Collie dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
Playfulness
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison: | The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. | The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | It is not recommended to keep the Golden Retriever breed in the home. | It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home. | 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 German Shepherd indoors. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | Golden Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
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Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Golden Retriever bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Collie bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
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Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison: | Moderate ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison: | Golden Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
Health Issues
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs. | The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
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Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Hemangiosarcoma Osteosarcoma Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis | Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits? |
Rare The Golden Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Average The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Life Expectancy
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Golden Retriever, Border Collie and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Golden Retriever: 11 years |
11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
Energy Level
Who has more energy a Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd?
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd energy level comparison: | Golden Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs. | Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
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Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises. | Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep. | Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
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Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison: | High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. | Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd coat comparison: |
Silky Wavy Shiny Straight |
Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long | Fuzzy |
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Colors
What are the original Golden Retriever, Border Collie and German Shepherd color? | Golden Light |
Black Tan Red Sable Brindle Lilac Gold Seal White & Red Slate Sable Merle Black & White Tricolor Blue merle Blue merle-tricolor Slate merle Red merle Saddleback Sable White & Blue White & Blue Merle White & Red Merle White Ticked White & Gold White & Sable White & Seal |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd grooming comparison: | Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
Shedding Level
Who sheds more Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever or Border Collie or {name3 shedding: | Golden Retriever dogs shed moderately. | Border Collie dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | 2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
Hypoallergenic
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. | No See more. |
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Medium ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? | The Golden Retriever drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Golden Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets. | Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
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Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Golden Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs. | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Golden Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
Yes Golden Retriever is one of the best dog breeds for office environment |
No Border Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
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Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Golden Retriever or Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism? | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
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. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | 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. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. | Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
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. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
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. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
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Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size
How many puppies can Golden Retriever and Border Collie and German Shepherd have? | 5-10 puppies | 4-8 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
Golden Retriever vs Border Collie vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
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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 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
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 |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry 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 The American Int. Border Collie Registry The American Border Collie Association |
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 German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
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