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Australian Shepherd vs Newfoundland: Which Suits Your Home?

Australian Shepherd or Newfoundland? On paper they differ most on energy level, and on the scales Newfoundland is the heavier at 100–150 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Australian Shepherd and Newfoundland and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on energy level and exercise need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 1/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. It is written for the decision rather than the breed history.

Quick verdict

Between Australian Shepherd and Newfoundland, energy level is what separates them, and Newfoundland is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose australian shepherd if...

Choose Australian Shepherd if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, shedding is a problem in your house and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.

Choose newfoundland if...

Choose Newfoundland if this is your first dog, your walking routine is modest and the dog will be alone during the working day.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	australian shepherd	newfoundland	Winner
Size class	medium	giant	Equal
Weight	40–65 lbs	100–150 lbs	Equal
Height	18–23 in	26–28 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–15 years	9–10 years	australian shepherd
Exercise need	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	newfoundland
Grooming need	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	australian shepherd
Shedding	High (4/5)	Very high (5/5)	australian shepherd
Energy level	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Barking	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)	newfoundland
Apartment suitability	Very low (1/5)	Very low (1/5)	Equal
Good for first-time owners	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	newfoundland
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	newfoundland
Trainability	Very high (5/5)	High (4/5)	australian shepherd
Good with kids	High (4/5)	Very high (5/5)	newfoundland
Good with other dogs	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Friendly to strangers	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	newfoundland
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	australian shepherd
Coat	Medium-length double coat	Heavy water-resistant double coat	Equal
Origin	United States	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$100–$200	$150–$310	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,500–$2,800	$2,200–$4,200	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

The Newfoundland is a genuine giant, 100-150 lbs and up to 28 inches tall, against the Aussie's 40-65 lbs and 23 inches. That's more than double the Aussie's weight at the high end, in a breed built originally for cold-water rescue work.

Energy and exercise

The Aussie rates 5/5 for exercise need; the Newfoundland comes in at a moderate 3/5. Despite its size, a Newfoundland isn't a high-drive dog, steady walks and some water time suit it better than the intense, structured activity an Aussie needs to stay balanced.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming clearly favors the Aussie, 3/5 against the Newfoundland's high 4/5, that heavy, water-resistant double coat takes real time to maintain. Shedding also favors the Aussie, if only slightly: 4/5 against the Newfoundland's very high 5/5. Between the two, the Newfoundland is the higher-maintenance coat by every measure here.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Both breeds rate 1/5 for apartment suitability, so neither is realistic for small-space living regardless of temperament. Barking favors the Newfoundland, low (2/5) against the Aussie's moderate (3/5), and the Newfoundland also tolerates being alone slightly better (3/5 vs 2/5).

Training and owner experience

Trainability favors the Aussie, 5/5 against the Newfoundland's still-solid 4/5. First-time-owner suitability tips toward the Newfoundland, 3/5 versus the Aussie's 2/5, its famously patient, easygoing temperament forgives more handling mistakes than the Aussie's herding drive does.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

The Newfoundland rates higher with kids (5/5 vs 4/5) and with strangers (4/5 vs 2/5), living up to its reputation as one of the gentlest giant breeds around people. Both handle other dogs equally well at 4/5.

Health and lifespan

Lifespan clearly favors the Aussie, 12-15 years against the Newfoundland's 9-10. The overlap in health risk is thin, hip dysplasia is really the only condition both lists share. The Newfoundland's own list includes subaortic stenosis and cystinuria, breed-specific risks that don't appear for the Aussie at all.

Cost to keep

Cost level rates 5/5 for the Newfoundland against the Aussie's 3/5, and the dollar figures follow, $150-310 monthly versus $100-200, with first-year costs of $2,200-4,200 against $1,500-2,800. Feeding and grooming a dog this size adds up fast.

Australian Shepherd vs Newfoundland at a glance

Australian Shepherd weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Newfoundland weighs 100–150 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on energy level, exercise need and cost level and 1 other rated axes. They are level on apartment suitability and good with other dogs, so those cannot decide it. In the table, a "winner" means easier for an ordinary household — not better. Size, coat and origin are recorded without a verdict. Because both breeds are scored the same way, the gaps are reliable even where the absolute numbers are rough.

Frequently asked questions

How much bigger is a Newfoundland than an Aussie?

Considerably, a Newfoundland can weigh up to 150 lbs against the Aussie's 65 lb ceiling, more than double at the high end.

Which breed sheds more?

The Newfoundland, rated a very high 5/5 against the Aussie's already-high 4/5, expect serious coat management either way, but more with the Newfoundland.

Is the Newfoundland a good first dog?

More so than the Aussie, it rates 3/5 for first-time owners against the Aussie's 2/5, thanks to its patient, easygoing temperament.

How much should I budget monthly?

About $100-200 for an Aussie and $150-310 for a Newfoundland, with first-year costs of $1,500-2,800 and $2,200-4,200 respectively.

Do the two breeds share health risks?

Barely, hip dysplasia is the main overlap. The Newfoundland carries its own set of risks, including subaortic stenosis and cystinuria, not shared with the Aussie.

Which breed lives longer?

The Aussie, by several years, 12-15 versus the Newfoundland's 9-10.

Which is better with strangers and visitors?

The Newfoundland, rated 4/5 against the Aussie's 2/5, it's a famously friendly, unguarded breed around new people.

Quick answers

View more answers

Behavior

Which breed is the better overall choice?

The Aussie for an active household with space to spare; the Newfoundland for a family that wants a huge, gentle presence and can handle the grooming and cost that comes with it.

Costs

How much more does the Newfoundland cost monthly?

About 50% more, $150-310 against the Aussie's $100-200.

Training

Which breed needs more daily exercise?

The Aussie, rated 5/5 against the Newfoundland's moderate 3/5.

Health

Which breed has the shorter lifespan?

The Newfoundland, at 9-10 years against the Aussie's 12-15, one of the largest lifespan gaps in this comparison set.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Australian Shepherd breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Australian Shepherd before deciding.
Newfoundland breed guide – The same for Newfoundland, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Australian Shepherd vs German Shorthaired Pointer – German Shorthaired Pointer is the closest breed to Australian Shepherd on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard sits closest to Newfoundland, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
Australian Shepherd vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard is the other breed Newfoundland is most often weighed against.
Newfoundland health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

List

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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