Australian Shepherd VS Golden Retriever: 19 Differences

Of course, each dog is unique, and dogs within one breed may have noticeable deviations. Still, certain breeds tend to be easier to train, better for kids, or more suitable for apartments.

If you’re looking for an answer to which breed is better, you won’t find it here. Both golden retrievers and Australian shepherds are gorgeous dogs with many traits in common.

When making your decision, ensure that the dog fits your personality and lifestyle. You should have the time and experience it takes to provide your dog with sufficient exercise, grooming, and training.

Size & Weight

Adult golden retriever females reach 21-22.5 inches in height and weigh 55-65 pounds. Males are taller and stockier, typically reaching 23-24 inches and weighing 65-75 pounds.

Like golden retrievers, Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs that are slightly smaller on average. Female Australian shepherds usually range from 18 to 21 inches in height and males from 20 to 23 inches.

Australian shepherd’s weight can range from 40 to 65 pounds depending on the dog’s sex, age, activity level, and bloodline.

Shedding

Golden retrievers are known as one of the most shedding dog breeds. These dogs have a double coat, with a fluffy, dense undercoat and long overcoat.

Goldens shed year-round, particularly intensively in spring and autumn when they blow out their undercoat.

Australian shepherds also have a long, dense coat that requires regular grooming, but they don’t shed nearly as bad as golden retrievers. Still, they have intense shedding seasons when owners may find more hair around than usual.

Personality

Golden retrievers are some of the most outgoing and affectionate dogs that want to be friends with everyone and are eager to please the owner. They are obedient yet sometimes goofy, retaining their puppy attitude to life even in adulthood.

Australian shepherds, too, are highly obedient dogs with high energy levels. They are social, loyal, and rarely aggressive unless they are protecting their owner.

Overall, the two breeds are very similar in temperament, but Aussies tend to be more aloof with unfamiliar people and need more mental stimulation.

Child-Friendliness

Golden retrievers are a popular choice among families with kids because of their kind nature and gentleness.

Although they are energetic, they usually adequately evaluate the situation and won’t unintentionally hurt a child, but supervision is necessary regardless.

Australian shepherds are generally good with kids, but their herding instinct can sometimes cause issues. Some Aussies may chase, circle, and nip at children who are too energetic and loud. This isn’t aggression, but it may scare small kids.

Pet-Friendliness

Although golden retrievers are hunting dogs, they have a low prey drive and don’t usually chase or bite smaller pets. A golden will get along with any animal unless the pet behaves aggressively towards it.

Aussies, too, can become best friends with another dog or cat, but they may try to herd the second pet. Proper training is necessary to ensure the comfort of the second pet.

Still, Aussies have a low prey drive and won’t hurt another pet intentionally.

Barking Level

The barking level is among the most significant differences between golden retrievers and Australian shepherds. Golden retrievers rarely bark because they were bred to retrieve waterfowl, and loud noise would scare off the birds.

They still bark, like any dog, but only when necessary. In contrast, Australian shepherds tend to be very vocal and frequently bark, whether for a reason or without one.

That’s certainly something to keep in mind if you have small kids or neighbors who love quietness.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers are ranked the fourth most intelligent dog breed by American Kennel Club and canine behavioral specialist Stanley Coren, whereas Australian shepherds are ranked 42nd.

Does this mean that Australian shepherds are noticeably less intelligent than golden retrievers? Not really. Canine intelligence rank largely depends on obedience.

While both Aussies and goldens are empathetic, communicative, and have a great memory, studies show that golden retrievers are more obedient and memorize commands quicker.

However, in practice, you’re unlikely no notice a big difference because Aussies perform better than most dog breeds regardless.

Common Behavior Problems

No dog is perfect, and both goldens and Aussies can develop behavior problems due to a lack of socialization, exercise, or training. Golden retrievers may suffer from separation anxiety and phobias, jump on people, chew on things, and pull on the leash.

Australian shepherds don’t often experience anxiety or fear but may be reactive, hyperactive, bark excessively, chew on things, become overly protective, and try to escape.

Exercise Needs

Both golden retrievers and Australian shepherds aren’t dogs for lazy people. These high-energy, athletic dogs need at least an hour of exercise daily in adult age but less in puppyhood and old age.

Ideally, a golden retriever or Australian shepherd should have a fenced yard where it can run whenever it wants. Golden retrievers will also benefit from swimming because they are naturally-born swimmers.

Grooming Needs

Golden retrievers’ lustrous, dense fur requires a lot of attention. Owners should brush their dogs at least once a week, ideally, daily. Bathing frequency depends on many variables, but the general recommendation is once in four weeks.

Golden retrievers don’t need haircuts but will benefit from feather trimming. Australian shepherd grooming needs are similar – daily brushing and monthly bathing will keep their coat beautiful and healthy.

Australian shepherds don’t need shaving, but minimal trimming will help to prevent tangling.

Lifespan

Golden retrievers don’t live for long. The breed’s life expectancy is ten to 12 years. According to American Kennel Club, the Australian shepherd’s life expectancy is 12-15 years. Aussies remain active until their last years.

Note that that’s just an average lifespan. How long a dog will live largely depends on its lifestyle, so with proper care, a golden retriever or Australian shepherd can live for longer.

Health Issues

Golden retrievers are at an increased risk of some health conditions because of irresponsible breeding, including hip and elbow dysplasia, retinal dysplasia, skin problems, ear infections, and cancer (the most common cause of death in golden retrievers).

Australian shepherds are also susceptible to particular diseases, including hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, and eye issues, such as Collie eye anomaly, distichiasis, progressive retinal atrophy, and cataracts.

Price

The average price of a golden retriever puppy is $1,000 to $3,000, although some puppies cost as little as $500 or exceed $5,000. A puppy’s price depends on its bloodline, breeder’s reputation, color, compliance with the breed standard, and other factors.

Australian shepherds are cheaper, starting at $650 and usually not exceeding $2,000, but show-quality puppies or trained Australian shepherds may cost significantly more. The price difference is related to lower demand for Australian shepherds.

Suitability for Inexperienced Dog Owners

Golden retrievers are among the best breeds for first-time dog owners because of their wonderful temperament and trainability. However, the owner must invest plenty of time into exercising the dog, training it, and grooming it.

Australian shepherds aren’t the worst choice for inexperienced owners but require discipline. They aren’t a good option for timid people who cannot assert their dominance over a dog or aren’t ready to invest time into socialization and exercise.

Suitability for Apartments

Golden retrievers and Australian shepherd dogs aren’t the best dog breeds for apartments. They can live a healthy and happy life if the apartment is large enough and the owner provides them with enough mental stimulation and physical activity.

Ideally, the apartment should be located near a park where the dog can run freely. Finding a place for long walks in a crowded city center can be tricky.

If a golden retriever or Australian shepherd isn’t getting enough stimulation, it may turn to destructive behavior and become hyperactive.

Suitability as Service Dogs

Golden retrievers are considered one of the best service dog breeds by the American Kennel Club because of their trainability, friendliness, empathy, and intelligence. They’re also large enough to support the owner when they have trouble standing.

Australian shepherd dogs have all the qualities that make a great service animal, but training and socializing them requires more effort. Aussies may be overly protective of the owner and aloof with strangers without proper socialization.

Suitability as Guard or Protection Dogs

Golden retrievers are loyal, strong dogs who won’t let anyone hurt their owner, so they are good protection dogs. However, they aren’t born to be guard dogs because they are so friendly, affectionate, and don’t bark often.

Aussies make much better protection and guard dogs. Strangers always make Aussies cautious, which is beneficial for guard dogs. Aussies are more likely to be aggressive than goldens and can scare an intruder with loud barking.

Suitability as Hunting Dogs

Golden retrievers are excellent hunting dogs; that’s obvious. They were bred to hunt waterfowl, so obedience, intelligence, communication skills, and other traits of a great hunting dog are in their blood.

Aussies, too, can make perfect hunting companions with proper training, even though they were bred for a different purpose. They have a high prey drive and can chase the target for hours.

Rarity

Golden retrievers are a very popular breed, so finding a puppy isn’t a problem. According to American Kennel Club, it’s the second most popular dog breed in the U.S. Red golden retrievers are significantly less common than gold dogs.

However, such popularity attracts people who aren’t genuinely interested in dogs but only want to earn money with breeding. As a result, buyers need to be cautious when choosing a puppy.

Australian shepherds, too, are popular dogs in the U.S., albeit not as widespread as goldens. The rarest Australian shepherd color is solid red.

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