Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Comparison - Dog breed selector: Golden Flat Coat or Lab or Sheepdog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie" Compare Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Which is better: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?

Price and Availability Size Grooming, Hair and Care Personality / Temperament Good With Health As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Golden Retriever	Labrador Retriever	Border Collie
Origins	Scotland	England Canada	England Scotland Wales
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Gun Dog	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	3	1	38
Reviews	13	6	13
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Golden Flat Coat Yellow Retriever	Lab Labrador	Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Which is more expensive?	$1000-$2000	$1000-$2000	$600-$800
Availability Which is easier to get, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	Very frequent: The Golden Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Size Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Which is the smallest dog, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Labrador Retriever? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie weight comparison:	Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 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: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie coat comparison:	Silky Wavy Shiny Straight	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long
Colors What are the original Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Border Collie color?	Golden Light	Black Yellow Chocolate	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
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie grooming comparison:	Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or {name3 shedding:	Golden Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	Border Collie 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: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. 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.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Personality / Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie behavior/temperament comparison:	Intelligent Confident Friendly Reliable Kind Trustworthy	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful	Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious
Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie intelligence:	Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie trainability comparison.	Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Border Collie dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Playfulness Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie playfulness comparison:	The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
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. See more.	Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Border 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: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie?	High: Golden Retriever dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie social needs comparison:	Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie?	Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	Golden Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Golden Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List
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.	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Golden Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Collie bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie mouthiness comparison:	Golden Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Golden Retriever dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
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. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	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. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	It is not recommended to keep the Golden Retriever breed in the home.	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List
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.	Labrador 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.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	Golden Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Labrador 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.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Good With Comparison

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

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie Health Comparison

Health Issues Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie health comparison. Which is the healthier: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie?	Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs.	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Border 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: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie 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	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 Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans
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 Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie lifespan comparison. How long do Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Border Collie breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Golden Retriever: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Energy Level Who has more energy a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie energy level comparison:	Golden Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	Golden Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot
Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border Collie?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 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.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border 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.	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 Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie?	Medium ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Border Collie 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. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border 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.	Yes This breed makes good 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: Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever or Border 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.	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 Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie?	Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really Border 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.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border 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 Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever and Border Collie have?	5-10 puppies	5-10 puppies	4-8 puppies
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Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever vs Border Collie 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 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 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 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.
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 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 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

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