Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Labradoodle: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Labradoodle
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Labradoodle
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Labradoodles?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Labradoodles?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Labradoodle?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Labradoodles?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labradoodle?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Labradoodles?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labradoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Labradoodle
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labradoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Labradoodle: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle? 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 Labradoodle 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 Labradoodle.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle 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 Labradoodle. 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 Labradoodle.
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 Labradoodle.
Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Labradoodle is a large-sized dog.
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 Labradoodle belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.
Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Labradoodle 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 Labradoodle
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Labradoodle |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 50 to 65 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1640 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1000 – $2000 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
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 Labradoodle. 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 Labradoodle is 94 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Labradoodle, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Labradoodle.
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!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle
The Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle.
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 Labradoodle weighs 50 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Labradoodle is 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Labradoodle
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)
Labradoodle Colors
The Labradoodle comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brown / Chocolate
- Golden
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Merle (Blue)
- Bicolor
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Labradoodle comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Merle (Red)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Bicolor
- Apricot / Beige
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle
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 Labradoodle is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Labradoodle is 13.0 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Labradoodle.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Labradoodle
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 Labradoodle puppy is $1640. The price of the Labradoodle typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Labradoodle can be as low as $250 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2360 Labradoodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Labradoodle is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Labradoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1640 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Labradoodle. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Labradoodle 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 Labradoodles
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Labradoodle 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.
Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Labradoodle
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Labradoodles 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 0149 Vern (Aka Walter) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like 0149 Vern (Aka Walter) on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Labradoodles are also available for adoption. For example, Tundra is a Male Labradoodle that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Labradoodles like Tundra that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Blue is the name of another Australian Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Gracious Mr Georgio Of Georgio & Lucce ~ Bonded Pair is an adorable Male Labradoodle on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Australian Shepherds and Labradoodles that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Labradoodles can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Labradoodles?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Labradoodles shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Labradoodles are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Labradoodles get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Labradoodles?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Labradoodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Labradoodle?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Labradoodles are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Labradoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Labradoodles?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Labradoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labradoodle?
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.
Labradoodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Labradoodles?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Labradoodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labradoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Labradoodles can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Labradoodle
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Labradoodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labradoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Labradoodles can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Labradoodle?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Labradoodles adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Labradoodle?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Labradoodles are very good 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 Labradoodle. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Ibizan Hound Australian Shepherd versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Australian Shepherd versus Australian Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Standard Poodle Australian Shepherd versus Biewer Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Bloodhound Australian Shepherd versus Maltipoo Australian Shepherd versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear Australian Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Schnoodle Australian Shepherd versus Affenhuahua Australian Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Chihuahua Australian Shepherd versus Bracco Italiano
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Labradoodle. 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 Labradoodle better suits you and your family.