Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog"
Compare Australian Kelpie and Koolie. Which is better: Australian Kelpie or Koolie or Australian Cattle Dog?
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Name | Australian Kelpie | Koolie | Australian Cattle Dog |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Working Dogs | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
Popularity Rank | 523 | 329 | 56 |
Reviews | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Rate |
Other Names | Australian Sheepdog, Australischer Kelpie, Kelpie, Barb | Australian Koolie, German Koolie, German Coolie | Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, Hall39;s Heeler, ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1980 as a Herding breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) section. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service | America's Pet Registry Australian National Kennel Council Dog Registry of America Inc. | 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 |
Price | $500-$700 | $400-$600 | $500-$700 |
General Appearance - Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog
Size | Medium | Large Medium | Medium |
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Weight | 25-45 pounds (11-20 kg) | 33-53 pounds (15-24 kg) | 30-62 pounds (13-28 kg) |
Avg. Weight | 35 pounds (15.5 kg) | 43 pounds (19.5 kg) | 46 pounds (20.5 kg) |
Height | 17-20 inches (43-51 cm) | 13-23 inches (34-60 cm) | Male: 17-20 inches (43-51 cm), Female: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) |
Avg. Height | 18.5 inches (47 cm) | 18 inches (47 cm) | Male: 18.5 inches (47 cm), Female: 18 inches (45.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog
Coat | Double | Smooth Double Rough | Dense |
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Colors | Blue Chocolate Red Tan Brown Fawn Black | Chocolate Blue Merle Tricolor Red Black | Blue Speckled Red Mottled |
Grooming | Effortless: The Australian Kelpie requires minimal grooming. | Easy to groom: The Koolie doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Effortless: The Australian Cattle Dog requires minimal grooming. |
Shedding Level | Australian Kelpies shed moderately. | Koolies shed moderately. | Australian Cattle Dogs shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog
Temperament | Alert Energetic Intelligent Robust Eager Friendly Loyal | Dominant Dedicated Temperate Diligent Intelligent Affectionate | Aggressive Energetic Loyal Responsive Alert Intelligent Protective |
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Intelligent Rank | Average: Australian Kelpie's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Koolie's has average obedience intelligence. | Outstanding: Australian Cattle Dog is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
Trainability | Australian Kelpies are very easy to train. | Koolies are quite easy to train. | Australian Cattle Dogs are easy to train. |
Playfulness | The Australian Kelpie is a playful breed. | Koolies, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Australian Cattle Dog is a highly playful breed. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Koolies don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | Australian Kelpies are average dogs regarding their affection level. | Koolies are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Australian Cattle Dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
Social Needs | Australian Kelpies need for social interaction is average. | Koolies are a social breed. | Australian Cattle Dogs need for social interaction is average. |
Barking | Low to Average: The Australian Kelpie rarely barks. | Average: The Koolie barks occasionally. | Low to Average: The Australian Cattle Dog rarely barks. |
Watchdog Ability | Australian Kelpies are one of the best watchdogs. | Koolies are good watchdogs. | Australian Cattle Dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
Territorial | Australian Kelpies are extremely protective guard dogs. | Koolies are extremely protective guard dogs. | Australian Cattle Dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Australian Kelpie has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Koolie has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Australian Cattle Dog has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Australian Kelpies have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Koolies have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Australian Cattle Dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Wanderlust potential of the Australian Kelpie is strong enough to escape from home. | Koolies have average wanderlust potential. | Wanderlust potential of the Australian Cattle Dog is strong enough to escape from home. |
Prey Drive | Australian Kelpies have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Koolies have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Australian Cattle Dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Apartment Friendly | Australian Kelpies are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. | Koolies are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Australian Cattle Dogs are not apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | Australian Kelpies adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Koolies adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Australian Cattle Dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Koolies 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. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Fighting Dog |
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. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog
Stranger Friendly | Australian Kelpies are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Koolies are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Australian Cattle Dogs are not the most stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Australian Kelpies are kid-friendly dogs. | Koolies are kid-friendly dogs. | Australian Cattle Dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Australian Kelpies are average friendly towards cats. | Koolies are average friendly towards cats. | Australian Cattle Dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
Dog Friendly | Australian Kelpies are average friendly towards other dogs. | Koolies are average friendly towards other dogs. | Australian Cattle Dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Australian Kelpie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Koolie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Australian Cattle Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Australian Kelpies are usually recommended for elderly people. | Koolies are usually recommended for elderly people. | Australian Cattle Dogs are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Australian Kelpies are generally with other pets. | Koolies are generally with other pets. | Australian Cattle Dogs are generally with other pets. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Australian Kelpies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Koolies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Australian Cattle Dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Australian Kelpie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Koolie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Australian Cattle Dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog
Health Issues | Australian Kelpies tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | The Koolie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Australian Cattle Dog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems | Cerebellar Abiotrophy Collie Eye Anomaly Hip Dysplasia Osteoarthritis Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | Blindness Deafness | Deafness Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) |
Life Expectancy | 10-14 years | 16-18 years | 12-15 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
Energy Level | Australian Kelpies are high energy dogs. | Koolies have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Australian Cattle Dogs are high energy dogs. |
Exercise Need | Australian Kelpies need quite a lot of exercise. | Koolies need quite a lot of exercise. | Australian Cattle Dogs need a lot of exercises. |
Sleeping Need | Australian Kelpies don't need too much sleep. | Koolies are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. | Australian Cattle Dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 1 to 2 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. | 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Low to Average. | Average. | Average to High. |
Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Prefers warm weather |
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. |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Australian Kelpie has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Koolie has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Australian Cattle Dog has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Australian Kelpie is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Koolie is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. | The Australian Cattle Dog is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Australian Kelpie vs Koolie vs Australian Cattle Dog
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 4-7 puppies | 4-6 puppies | 1-7 puppies, average 5 |
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