Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

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Australian Shepherd Versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Flat-Coated Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Overview

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Flat-Coated Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever

FactorAustralian ShepherdFlat-Coated Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Easy To Groom1/54/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Height18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
General Health2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things2/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Weight40 to 65 pounds55 to 70 pounds
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$1180$1240
Price Range$800 – $1500$800 – $1725
Temperament Score82.2 percent92.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1594
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Flat-Coated Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Flat-Coated Retriever, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

    Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are most different:

  • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Flat-Coated Retriever weighs 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Flat-Coated Retriever is 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Australian Shepherd versus Size of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Australian Shepherd Colors

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Merle (Red)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Harlequin
    • Merle (Blue)
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Black
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Blue)

    Flat-Coated Retriever Colors

    The Flat-Coated Retriever comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

    The Flat-Coated Retriever comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brindle
    • White / Cream

    Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Flat-Coated Retriever is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 11.0 years.

    The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Australian Shepherd

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Flat-Coated Retriever

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1240. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $800 – $1725. However, the price of the Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 10 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.

    Australian Shepherd Flat-Coated Retriever
    Average Price $1180 $1240
    Price Range $800 to $1500 $800 to $1725

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Flat-Coated Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Flat-Coated Retrievers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd named Pepperjack that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Pepperjack on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Australian Shepherds, Flat-Coated Retrievers are also available for adoption. For example, Trapper is a Male Flat-Coated Retriever that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers like Trapper that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Blue is the name of another Australian Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Maxx is an adorable Male Flat-Coated Retriever on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Australian Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Australian Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Year Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank
    2013 20 94
    2014 18 92
    2015 17 86
    2016 16 89
    2017 17 96
    2018 15 91
    2019 13 104
    2020 12 102
    2021 12 93

    Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 3 tests are recommended for the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Flat-Coated Retrievers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.

    This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cataracts problems: Rank 1 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 2 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 7 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 12 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 19 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 28 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 60 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 66 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 77 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 103 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 133 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 150 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 28 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 85 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 129 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 129 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 172 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Flat-Coated Retriever and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever:

    Disease Australian Shepherd Rank Flat-Coated Retriever Rank
    Cataracts problems 1 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 2 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 7 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 12 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 19 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 28 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 60 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 66 out of 115 dog breeds 28 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 77 out of 144 dog breeds 129 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 103 out of 145 dog breeds 85 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 133 out of 182 dog breeds 129 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 150 out of 198 dog breeds 172 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Flat-Coated Retriever

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:

    Australian Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd     Australian Shepherd versus Collie     Australian Shepherd versus Australian Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog     Australian Shepherd versus Kai Ken     Australian Shepherd versus Akita     Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear     Australian Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter     Australian Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler     Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Malinois     Australian Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute     Australian Shepherd versus Schnoodle     Australian Shepherd versus Ibizan Hound     Australian Shepherd versus Boston Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Bulldog     Australian Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Australian Shepherd versus Whoodle     

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.

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