Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever"
Compare Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
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| Name | Labrador Retriever | German Shepherd | Golden Retriever |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England  Canada |  Germany | Scotland |
| Group | Gun Dog | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Gun Dog |
| Popularity Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Reviews | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Rate |
| Other Names | Labrador, Lab | Alsatian, Berger Allemand, Alsatian wolf dog (UK), Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund | Yellow Retriever, Golden Flat Coat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
| AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed. |
| FCI Group | 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 Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. |
| Breed Recognition | 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 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 | 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 |
| Price | $1000-$2000 | $800-$2000 | $1000-$2000 |
General Appearance - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
| Size | Large | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) |
| Avg. Weight | Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) |
| Height | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) |
| Avg. Height | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
| Coat | Dense Waterproof Hard Short | Fuzzy | Silky Wavy Shiny Straight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Yellow Chocolate Black | Silver Tan Red Black | Golden Light |
| Grooming | Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level | Labrador Retrievers shed moderately. | German Shepherds are heavy shedders. | Golden Retrievers shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
| Temperament | Affectionate Cheerful Friendly Intelligent Loyal Playful Social Alert Energetic Gentle Loving Going Responsive | Alert Courageous Intelligent Obedient Confident Curious Loyal Watchful | Confident Intelligent Reliable Friendly Kind Trustworthy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank | Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
| Trainability | Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train. | German Shepherds are easy to train. | Golden Retrievers are easy to train. |
| Playfulness | The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. | German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. |
| Sensitivity Level | Labrador Retrievers don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | German Shepherds don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | Golden Retrievers have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. |
| Affection Level | Labrador Retrievers may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. | German Shepherds are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Golden Retrievers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs | Labrador Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. | German Shepherds need for social interaction is average. | Golden Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. |
| Barking | Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. |
| Watchdog Ability | Labrador Retrievers are average watchdogs. | German Shepherds are one of the best watchdogs. | Golden Retrievers are average watchdogs. |
| Territorial | Labrador Retrievers are average defenders. | German Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs. | Golden Retrievers are average defenders. |
| Biting Potential |
Moderate The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. |
High The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
Moderate The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness | Labrador Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | German Shepherds have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Golden Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | Labrador Retrievers have average wanderlust potential. | German Shepherds are not the biggest explorers. | Golden Retrievers tend to escape less than other breeds. |
| Prey Drive | Labrador Retrievers have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | German Shepherds have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Golden Retrievers 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. |
| Apartment Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. | German Shepherds are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Golden Retrievers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
| Adaptability | Labrador Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | German Shepherds adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Golden Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | Labrador Retrievers 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 Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
| Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
| Stranger Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are very stranger friendly dogs. | German Shepherds are stranger friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are very stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are very kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherds are very kid-friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherds are average friendly towards cats. | Golden Retrievers are cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are very dog-friendly dogs. | German Shepherds are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are very dog-friendly dogs. |
| Office Friendly |
No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Yes Golden Retriever is one of the best dog breeds for office environment |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
| Pet Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are usually friendly towards other pets. | German Shepherds are generally with other pets. | Golden Retrievers are usually friendly towards other pets. |
| Good For First Time Owners |
No Labrador Retrievers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No German Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Yes Golden Retrievers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| 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. |
| Therapy Dog |
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 |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
| Boat Dog |
Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. |
| 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. |
Health Factors - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
| Health Issues | The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Problems | Acute Moist Dermatitis Bloat Cataracts Cold Tail Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Myopathy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia | Allergies Blindness Bloat Cancer Cataracts Cherry Eye Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Cushing's Syndrome Degenerative Myelopathy Demodectic Mange Diabetes Digestive Problems Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Heart Disease Hemophilia A Hemophilia B Hip Dysplasia Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lens Luxation Lupus Megaesophagus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Panosteitis Paralysis Perianal Fistula Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Retinal Dysplasia Seborrhea Vitiligo Von Willebrand's Disease Wobbler's Syndrome | Allergies Bloat Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hemangiosarcoma Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Osteochondrosis Dissecans Osteosarcoma Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Von Willebrand's Disease |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years | 10-13 years | 10-12 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
| Energy Level | Labrador Retrievers are high energy dogs. | German Shepherds are high energy dogs. | Golden Retrievers are high energy dogs. |
| Exercise Need | Labrador Retrievers need a lot of exercises. | German Shepherds need quite a lot of exercise. | Golden Retrievers need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need | Labrador Retrievers don't need too much sleep. | German Shepherds don't need too much sleep. | Golden Retrievers don't need too much sleep. |
| Avg. daily food consumption | Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential | High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to overweight. | Low to Average. | High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to overweight. |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness |
High The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell. |
Medium The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency | The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | 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. |
Reproducibility - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| How often can the have a litter? |
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 | 5-10 puppies | 6-10 puppies | 5-10 puppies |
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