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Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Comparison - Dog breed selector: Lab or Little Blue Dog or Stafford? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier" Compare Labrador Retriever and Australian Shepherd. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
 
 
 
Name Labrador Retriever Australian Shepherd American Staffordshire Terrier
OriginsEngland flagEngland Canada flagCanada United States flagUnited States United States flagUnited States
Group Gun Dog Pastoral / Herding Dogs Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank11783
Reviews976
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Lab
Labrador
Little Blue Dog
Aussie
Stafford
Staffy
Amstaff
Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier breed type comparison:
Purebred Purebred Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Size and Weight Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Which is the smallest dog, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Large Large Medium
Weight
Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or Australian Shepherd? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier weight comparison:
Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg) 57-67 pounds (25-30 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: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) 62 pounds (27.5 kg)
Height
Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier height comparison:
Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm) Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm) Male: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm), Female: 16-18 inches (41-46 cm)
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm) Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm) Male: 18 inches (45.5 cm), Female: 17 inches (43.5 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price
Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Which is more expensive?
$1000-$2000 $600-$800 $800-$1000
Availability
Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The American Staffordshire Terrier is quite easy to get.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier intelligence:
Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence.
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Smart: The American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have great intelligence.
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Trainability
Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier trainability comparison.
Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train.
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Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are easy to train.
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Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs.
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Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are average watchdogs.
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Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?
Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders.
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Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are average defenders.
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Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier behavior/temperament comparison:
Playful
Loving
Energetic
Alert
Intelligent
Friendly
Responsive
Affectionate
Loyal
Gentle
Going
Social
Cheerful
Active
Loving
Protective
Intelligent
Friendly
Affectionate
Good-natured
Courageous
Intelligent
Friendly
Loyal
Devoted
Attentive
Tenacious
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.
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Sensitive: Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
See more.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.
See more.
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?
Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence.
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Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs.
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High: American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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Social Needs
Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier social needs comparison:
Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are a social breed.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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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.
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Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
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Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness
Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier playfulness comparison:
The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed.
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The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed.
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The American Staffordshire Terrier is a playful breed.
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?
Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally.
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Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks.
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Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier barks occasionally.
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Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever 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 Australian Shepherd indoors.
It is not recommended to keep the American Staffordshire Terrier breed in the home.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Average: American Staffordshire Terrier dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
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.
American Staffordshire Terrier 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.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

American Staffordshire Terrier bite force: Ordinary.
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 Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The American Staffordshire Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier mouthiness comparison:
Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues
Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?
The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier 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
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
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 Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Average
The American Staffordshire Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Life Expectancy
Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd and American Staffordshire Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?
10-12 years
The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years
11-15 years
The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years
12-14 years
The average lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier: 13 years
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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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 warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier weight gain potential comparison:
High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight.
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Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Shepherd's weight, he can easily gain weight.
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Low to Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier has a low to the average risk for obesity.
See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier coat comparison:
Dense
Waterproof
Hard
Short
Feathered Fine
Colors
What are the original Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd and American Staffordshire Terrier color?
Black
Yellow
Chocolate
Black
Red
Blue
Merle
Black
Blue
White
Brown
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier grooming comparison:
Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming.
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Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
See more.
Effortless: The American Staffordshire Terrier requires minimal grooming.
See more.
Shedding Level
Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or {name3 shedding:
Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately.
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Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately.
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American Staffordshire Terrier dogs shed none to minimal.
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Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds.
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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.
Hypoallergenic
Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier 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, Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?

High 🔼

The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
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The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The American Staffordshire Terrier is an average drooler.
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Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?
Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier?
Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?
Yes
Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
American Staffordshire Terrier 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
Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Yes
American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the best dog breeds for office environment
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people?
Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
American Staffordshire Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog.
See more.

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Labrador Retriever or Australian Shepherd or American Staffordshire Terrier? Which is better for autism?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
See more.

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.
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.

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?

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 Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier?

Yes

Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat.
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Not really

Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
See more.

Not really

American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
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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.

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Australian Shepherd and American Staffordshire Terrier have?
5-10 puppies 6-9 puppies, average 7 5-10 puppies

Labrador Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs American Staffordshire Terrier 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 1991 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as a Terrier 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 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Bull type Terriers 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
Canadian Canine Registry
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
No data available

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