Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Comparison – Which dog is better Lab or Australian Cattle Dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler"
Compare Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler?
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| Name | Labrador Retriever | Blue Heeler |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England  Canada |  Australia |
| Group | Gun Dog | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 1 | 518 |
| Reviews | 6 | 2 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Lab Labrador |
Australian Cattle Dog Cattle Dog Queensland Heeler Red Heeler |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler? | $1000-$2000 | $400-$800 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get. | Rare: You may rarely see each other in everyday life, but you might catch a glimpse of each other at dog shows. |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Size Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler?
Is the Labrador Retriever bigger than the Blue Heeler breed?
Is a Labrador Retriever smaller than a Blue Heeler? | Large | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler weight comparison: | Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) | 30-62 pounds (13-28 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) | 46 pounds (20.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Is a Labrador Retriever taller than a Blue Heeler? | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm) | Male: 17-20 inches (43-51 cm), Female: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm) | Male: 18.5 inches (47 cm), Female: 18 inches (45.5 cm) |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler coat comparison: |
Dense Waterproof Hard Short | Dense |
|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler color? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler color comparison: |
Black Yellow Chocolate | Blue Red speckled Blue speckled Blue Mottled Red Mottled |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler grooming comparison: | Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. | Effortless: The Blue Heeler requires minimal grooming. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Do Labrador Retriever dogs shed more than Blue Heeler dogs? | Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. | Blue Heeler dogs shed moderately. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | 3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Personality / Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler behavior/temperament comparison: |
Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful |
Active Protective Alert Intelligent Hard working Resourceful |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler smarter? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler intelligence: | Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Smart: The Blue Heeler dogs have great intelligence. |
| Trainability
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler trainability comparison. What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. | Blue Heeler dogs are easy to train. |
| Playfulness
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler playfulness comparison: | The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. | The Blue Heeler is a highly playful breed. |
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. | Slightly Below Average: Blue Heeler dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. |
| Social Needs
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler social needs comparison: | Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. | Blue Heeler dogs are kinda antisocial. |
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. | Low to Average: The Blue Heeler rarely barks. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. | Blue Heeler dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. | Blue Heeler dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential
Is a Labrador Retriever more dangerous than a Blue Heeler? | Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Blue Heeler has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Bite Force
Which bite is stronger: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Blue Heeler bite force: Ordinary. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler mouthiness comparison: | Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | Blue Heeler dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. | The wanderlust potential of the Blue Heeler is strong enough to escape from home. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? 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. | Blue Heeler dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home. | Not an apartment-friendly dog the Blue Heeler breed. |
| 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. | Average: Blue Heeler 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 Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Blue Heeler dogs handle alone time quite well. |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Good With Comparison
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Which dog is more friendly? | Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. | Blue Heeler dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets. | Blue Heeler dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Blue Heeler dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs. | Blue Heeler dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Can a Labrador Retriever and a Blue Heeler be friends? Do Labrador Retriever dogs get along with Blue Heeler dogs? | Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. | Blue Heeler dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? |
Yes Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Blue Heeler 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 Blue Heeler is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Blue Heelers are not the best breed for elderly people. |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Health Comparison
| Health Issues
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Blue Heelers are commonly healthy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler 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 | No data available |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? |
Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
Rare The Blue Heeler should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Life Expectancy
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler? |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years |
11-15 years The average lifespan of Blue Heeler: 13 years |
| Hypoallergenic
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. |
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler?
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler energy level comparison: | Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs. | Blue Heeler dogs are high-energy dogs. |
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises. | Blue Heeler dogs need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep. | Blue Heeler dogs don't need too much sleep. |
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Does the Labrador Retriever breed eat more than the Blue Heeler breed? | 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. |
| Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler weight gain potential comparison: | High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Blue Heeler's weight, he can easily gain weight. |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? | High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Blue Heeler has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. | The Blue Heeler is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Labrador Retriever or Blue Heeler? Which is better for autism? | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a 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. | 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. |
| Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler? | Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. | Not really Blue Heeler 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. |
| 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. |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Reproducibility Comparison
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size
How many puppies can Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler have? Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler litter size comparison: | 5-10 puppies | 1-7 puppies |
Labrador Retriever vs Blue Heeler Recognition Comparison
| AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI? | Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. | Not recognized by FCI. |
| Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry | No data available |
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