Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Blue Heeler or Little Blue Dog?

"Find similarities and differences between Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd" Compare Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which is better: Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Australian Cattle Dog	Australian Shepherd
Origins	Australia	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	56	17
Reviews	4	7
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by?	Blue Heeler Cattle Dog Red Heeler Queensland Heeler	Little Blue Dog Aussie
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Medium	Large
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd. Which breed is heavier?	30-62 pounds (13-28 kg)	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	46 pounds (20.5 kg)	Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd? Is an Australian Cattle Dog taller than an Australian Shepherd?	Male: 17-20 inches (43-51 cm), Female: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm)	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 18.5 inches (47 cm), Female: 18 inches (45.5 cm)	Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm)

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy prices between an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd. Which breed costs more?	$500-$700	$600-$800
Availability Which is easier to get, Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Australian Cattle Dog is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Which is smarter: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities.	Outstanding: Australian Cattle Dog is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Which is easier to train: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare training requirements.	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are easy to train. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Which makes a better watchdog: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare alertness levels.	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Which is more protective: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors.	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits Compare personalities of an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ?	Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Aggressive	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd?	Average: Australian Cattle Dog dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.	Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd social needs comparison:	Australian Cattle Dog dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd?	The wanderlust potential of the Australian Cattle Dog is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Low to Average: The Australian Cattle Dog rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Which breed is more playful: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy.	The Australian Cattle Dog is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare living space needs.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Australian Cattle Dog breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Australian Shepherd indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Which adapts better to changes: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels.	Average: Australian Cattle Dog dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Australian Shepherd dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Which has lower bite risk: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies.	Low 🔽 The Australian Cattle Dog has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Which is more mouthy: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors.	Australian Cattle Dog dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Which has a stronger bite: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Cattle Dog bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare average lifespans.	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Cattle Dog: 13 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Australian Cattle Dog can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Australian Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Health Concerns Compare common health issues between an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd. Which breed is healthier?	The Australian Cattle Dog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd?	Average The Australian Cattle Dog should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Deafness	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Deafness Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Distichiasis Collie Eye Anomaly Detached Retina Nasal Solar Dermatitis Osteochondrosis Dissecans Persistent Pupillary Membranes

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Which breed is more energetic: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare activity levels.	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are high-energy dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs need a lot of exercises.	Australian Shepherd dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs don't need too much sleep.	Australian Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Which gains weight easier: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare obesity risks.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Cattle Dog's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Shepherd's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Which eats more: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare daily food needs.	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd? Compare breed colors.	Red Blue Speckled Mottled	Black Red Blue Merle
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs.	Effortless: The Australian Cattle Dog requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts.	The Australian Cattle Dog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Cattle Dog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd? Compare fur types.	Dense	Feathered
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd? Do Australian Cattle Dog dogs shed more than Australian Shepherd dogs?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs shed moderately. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Which is better with children: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness.	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Pet Compatibility Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are generally with other pets.	Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd? Can an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Shepherd be friends? Do Australian Cattle Dog dogs get along with Australian Shepherd dogs?	Australian Cattle Dog dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd?	Yes Australian Cattle Dog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Australian Cattle Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Australian Cattle Dogs are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare service capabilities.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Which is better for therapy work: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Which is better at detection work: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search & Rescue Potential Which is better for search and rescue: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Which is better on boats: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities.	Not really Australian Cattle Dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: an Australian Cattle Dog or an Australian Shepherd? Compare draft work capabilities.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Military Service Background Compare military history between Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which has stronger military background?	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which has larger litters?	1-7 puppies, average 5	6-9 puppies, average 7
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare pregnancy duration between Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1980 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which groups are they in?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare kennel club recognition between Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Australian Shepherd Club Of America

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