Golden Retriever vs. Border Collie: 6 Key Differences + Pros and Cons

When deciding on the best dog to adopt, owners should consider different factors like health, exercise needs, nutrition, affection level, protective nature, and more. 

Both golden retrievers and border collies enjoy their status as one of America’s top 30 favorite dog breeds. Long considered a great choice for families of all shapes and sizes, golden retrievers and border collies remain top picks for potential dog owners — but these are very different breeds.

If you’re considering getting a dog and need to choose between a golden retriever and a border collie, keep reading. AZ Animals interviewed veterinarians, vet techs, and animal behavioral experts to discover key differences and the pros and cons of a golden retriever vs. a border collie.

Golden Retriever Summary

As the third-favored dog breed in America as of 2022 rankings, the golden retriever reigns as one of America’s top dogs — literally.

The golden retriever is an all-around great breed. It’s skilled at hunting and working, has a beautiful sheeny coat, and cultivates a deep love for its family. Despite growing out of “puppyhood” as early as a year and a half old, golden retrievers will maintain their playful, puppy-like attitude well into adulthood because of their zest for life and passion for their owners.

Once bred as a gundog, golden retrievers live up to their names well and enjoy “retrieving,” or fetching and swimming, for hours on end.

Border Collie Summary

Coming in at number 30 on America’s most popular breeds of 2022, the workaholic border collie has the energy and nimbleness of an Energizer bunny that doesn’t seem to stop. A natural herder and athlete, border collies thrive in homes with large yards, areas to play, and jobs to do. The individuals in the breed come in over a dozen different colors including black, blue, red, sable, white, and various versions of merle.

Insanely intelligent, incredibly agile, and totally trainable, the border collie demands time, attention, and resources but gives back the love and affection it receives from its family tenfold.

Golden Retriever vs. Border Collie: Key Differences

At face value, golden retrievers and border collies appear to have several similarities. They’re athletic, work-happy dogs with a deep well of love for their family and an eager-to-please disposition. However, the breeds have significant key differences outside of their size and appearance that differentiate their benefits for families.

Golden Retrievers Are the Better Family Dog

Depending on an adopter’s family structure, golden retrievers might be the better option. Why? Their calm, nurturing nature suits families with small children, individuals on the go, and seniors with limited mobility much more than the border collie’s hyperactivity and need for attention.

When it comes to lifestyle, goldens can adapt and fit into a wider variety. Sure, they’d love to go on an adventure with you over the weekend and still need daily exercise, but the level of mental and physical stimulation a golden retriever needs as compared to a border collie just doesn’t make sense for some. Furthermore, golden retrievers have a gentleness that enables them to become protectors and nurturers to infants and toddlers whereas a border collie’s energy can accidentally injure small kids.

According to Dr. Bethany Hsia, a licensed veterinarian with over 12 years of practice experience, goldens are the better choice when it comes to larger families, seniors, and busy individuals.

“Golden retrievers are suitable for families, individuals, and seniors who can provide consistent love, attention, and exercise. They are great with children and other pets, making them an excellent choice for families with multiple furry friends,” she asserted. “Meanwhile, border collies are best suited for active individuals or families who can provide ample physical and mental stimulation.”

Golden Retrievers Want More Affection

With its calm and loving nature, goldens will, on average, need more attention and affection than a border collie (though not by much). Goldens are big teddy bears and love to give and receive love. Showing affection may look like nighttime snuggles, 

“A lifestyle that would be a dealbreaker for a golden retriever would be one that lacks consistent attention, love, and exercise,” said Dr. Hsia. “They are great with children and often enjoy being around people, making them excellent family dogs.”

It’s not that border collies don’t like love — quite the opposite! Border collies are also affectionate toward their owners. However, they’re less needy when it comes to showing love in the traditional sense of pets and snuggles and would much rather run a race or chase a ball with their owners.

Golden Retrievers Have Different Grooming Needs

Despite both dog breeds having a double, water-repellent coat, golden retrievers will probably shed less than a border collie. 

“Golden retrievers are medium to large-sized dogs with a dense, water-repellent coat that comes in various shades of gold. Border collies, on the other hand, are medium-sized dogs with a thick, double coat that is typically black and white or blue merle,” informed Dr. Hsia. 

The golden retriever coat sheds heavily twice a year, but for the rest of the time, it’s pretty low maintenance. Goldens won’t need a bath as often as the border collie either. Border collies have two types of coats — the rough coat and the smooth coat. You’ll want to have a pin brush to unmat the fur and get rid of any dirt or debris your collie may have collected on its daily run.

Border Collies Need More Mental Stimulation

When it comes to active households, border collies will be your best friend in any sort of physical or mental activity they can involve themselves in.

“Border Collies require a significant amount of daily exercise, including both physical activity and mental stimulation. They are prone to boredom and can become destructive if not given enough to do,” cautioned Dr. Hsia.

Border collies have a hyper-active personality that goes, goes, goes — whether that activity is obedience training, completing a job, or having the freedom to run and chase to their heart’s content. Where a golden retriever could be happy to lay on the couch for most of the day with their family (after a brisk walk, of course), border collies will get bored.

“A lifestyle that would be a dealbreaker for a border collie would be one that lacks ample mental and physical stimulation since border collies require a significant amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy,” Dr. Hsia affirmed.

Border Collies Develop Eye Problems in Old Age

Both dog breeds are generally healthy and, like many other dogs their size, have a predisposition to developing hip dysplasia at some point in their lives. When your dog gets older, however, more breed-specific illnesses can occur.

“Border collies, while generally healthy, can be prone to eye problems,” said Dr. Hsia. Eye problems in border collies include progressive renal atrophy, collie eye anomaly, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Goldens, on the other hand, won’t often develop eye problems but may have a bout with different types of cancer.

Border Collies Herd… a Lot

Coming back around to the point about a family pet — border collies will herd animals and humans in their household as a natural instinct, which can accidentally injure young children. Because of this, Dr. Hsia says that “they excel at herding and obedience activities, making them a great choice for those interested in dog sports and agility competitions. Without sufficient physical and mental activity, border collies can become bored, destructive, or develop behavioral issues.”

Owners can work with their border collie to discourage herding if it’s a negative behavior they want to stop. Training should begin in puppyhood and subscribe to the same logic of the “leave it” command. Without this task, though, some border collies will feel lost. As such, attempt to teach them other commands, tricks, or jobs to fulfill the purpose they want to serve.

Goldens won’t herd and don’t have the desire to. They will fetch small animals if not properly trained to leave birds, squirrels, and other live animals outside.

Golden Retriever vs. Border Collie: Pros and Cons

Golden Retriever Pro: Affability

Richard West, the general manager of Puppy Hero, an agency that is dedicated to helping individuals and families find their perfect pet, weighed in on how to pick the right dog for your family — and why a golden retriever is a great fit for many. 

“Finding the perfect pet can be tricky… especially if the intending pet parent doesn’t quite know what to expect from the many breeds they could choose from. Golden retrievers are perfect human companions and are generally super excited to meet everyone. It is this quality … that distinguishes them as excellent therapy dogs.”

Julie Burgess, a 20-year vet tech and certified dog trainer of 10 years with Senior Tail Waggers, added to the overview of the golden’s affable personality. “They’re also very loyal to their humans and often become depressed when they’re away from their families for extended periods.”

Golden Retriever Pro: Adaptability

With a golden’s gentle demeanor comes its ability to adapt to different situations. This quality also makes them a stand-out candidate for therapy training.

According to Burgess, golden retrievers’ adaptability makes them a versatile pet that will merrily follow along with their family’s plans. “Golden retrievers make excellent family dogs because of their gentle, patient demeanors, and willingness to go along with anything involving family, especially if there are kids involved.”

Golden Retriever Con: Bi-Annual Shedding

The golden retriever’s coat, while luscious and beautiful in pictures, does take a bit of work to achieve — especially in those high-shed months. Owners can expect to brush their golden every day during these de-shedding times. If they don’t brush their golden regularly, they’ll soon find mats, dirt, and more in their golden’s long locks that may take a professional to untangle (or even shave).

Border Collie Pro: Up for Adventure

If you’re looking for an adventure buddy, you’ve found it in a border collie. This breed lives to enjoy life in all the most athletic ways. From chasing prey to herding animals and learning new tricks, the border collie desperately wants to learn, see, and do more. Families who live an active lifestyle and want a furry friend to take along for the ride will build strong, lasting bonds.

Border Collie Pro: Intelligence

The intelligence of a border collie comes in handy on large farms, families with multiple older kids, and environments where there’s work to be done. One of the world’s smartest dogs, as generally regarded, was a border collie named Chaser who learned 1,000 proper nouns throughout her lifetime.

“They’re also a very intelligent breed, so brain games and mental stimulation are key to keeping them happy, and they make great family dogs especially if you have a high-energy family.”

Border Collie Con: Hyperactiveness

When it comes to dogs suited for apartments, the border collie isn’t it. Its hyperactiveness, combined with a demanding need for mental and physical stimulation, just isn’t conducive to smaller living situations or lifestyles.

“Border collies need room to run, so they don’t make good apartment dogs. Small yards can be problematic for them and are therefore deal breakers for these situations.”

The hyperactiveness of a border collie can also cause concern for families of small children or weakened seniors. With so much energy, some dog owners won’t have the stamina, resources, or time to keep up.

Adopt For Lifestyle, Not Looks

Golden retrievers and border collies are adorable breeds — but one is much more hyper than the other. Where golden retrievers will relax on the couch for most of the night with their families, demonstrating their cool-as-a-cucumber nature, border collies will look for their next adventure. When it comes to picking a breed for your furry friend, consider all facets of your lifestyle and their needs to ensure you make the best pick for a perfect fit.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jaroslav Frank/iStock via Getty Images