Border Collie vs Labrador Retriever
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Border Collie | Labrador Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Large |
| Adult weight | 13.6 to 24.9 kg | 24.9 to 36.3 kg |
| In pounds | 30 to 55 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Adult height | 46 to 56 cm | 55 to 62 cm |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Medium wavy and double | Short double |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 13 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | Great Britain |
The main differences
- The Labrador Retriever is the bigger dog: 24.9 to 36.3 kg against 13.6 to 24.9 kg for the Border Collie.
- Both have very high energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- The Border Collie usually lives longer: 12 to 15 years against 11 to 13 years.
- With children, the Labrador Retriever is rated reliably good and the Border Collie fine with supervision.
Temperament
Border Collie: Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent, neither nervous nor aggressive.
Labrador Retriever: Good tempered and versatile, valued equally as a family companion, guide dog, service dog and working gundog.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Border Collie
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Collie eye anomaly / choroidal hypoplasia (CEA/CH), detectable by DNA test on both parents and on an eye examination
- Multi-drug resistance mutation (MDR1), detectable by DNA test, and worth knowing before any anaesthetic or worming drug
- Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Labrador Retriever
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Exercise induced collapse (EIC), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Border Collie or the Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever. Adults weigh 24.9 to 36.3 kg, against 13.6 to 24.9 kg for the Border Collie, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Border Collie or the Labrador Retriever?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 15 years for the Border Collie and 11 to 13 years for the Labrador Retriever. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Border Collie or the Labrador Retriever better with children?
The Labrador Retriever scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin