Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Comparison – Which dog is better Little Blue Dog or Sheepdog?

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

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 Shepherd	Border Collie
Origins	United States	England Scotland Wales
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	17	38
Reviews	7	13
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. What other names are these breeds known by?	Little Blue Dog Aussie	Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between an Australian Shepherd and a Border Collie. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Large	Large
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between an Australian Shepherd and a Border Collie. Which breed is heavier?	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)	Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Is an Australian Shepherd taller than a Border Collie?	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Price and Availability Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Personality and Temperament Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Border Collie 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 Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare play drive and energy.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare living space needs.	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.	It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Which adapts better to changes: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare adaptability levels.	Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	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.	Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare average lifespans.	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare climate tolerances.	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.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Border Collie 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 Shepherd and a Border Collie. Which breed is healthier?	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Border Collie 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 Shepherd vs Border Collie?	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Border Collie 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 Shepherd vs Border Collie? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie health problems comparison:	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	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Diet and Weight Management Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for Australian Shepherd and Border Collie? Compare breed colors.	Black Red Blue Merle	Black Tan Red Sable Brindle Lilac Gold Seal White & Red Slate Sable Merle Black & White Tricolor Blue merle Blue merle-tricolor Slate merle Red merle Saddleback Sable White & Blue White & Blue Merle White & Red Merle White Ticked White & Gold White & Sable White & Seal
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare maintenance needs.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare drooling amounts.	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare natural smell levels.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between an Australian Shepherd and a Border Collie? Compare fur types.	Feathered	Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare bathing frequencies.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. 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 Shepherd or Border Collie? Do Australian Shepherd dogs shed more than Border Collie dogs?	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Border Collie dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Good With Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare service capabilities.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Which is better for therapy work: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare therapy capabilities.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Which is better at detection work: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare scenting abilities.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search & Rescue Potential Which is better for search and rescue: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare SAR abilities.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Which is better on boats: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? Compare maritime abilities.	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie? 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 Shepherd and Border Collie. 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 Shepherd vs Border Collie Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. Which has larger litters?	6-9 puppies, average 7	4-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare pregnancy duration between Australian Shepherd and Border Collie breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. 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 Shepherd vs Border Collie Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. Which groups do they belong to?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. Which groups are they in?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs 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 Shepherd and Border Collie. Which is more widely recognized?	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	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry 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 The American Int. Border Collie Registry The American Border Collie Association

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Reviews

CL
May 27, 2019, 4:50:10 PM:
ILUVPUPPIES
May 19, 2020, 12:38:24 PM:
Joel B
Jan 21, 2021, 2:45:35 AM:
Comparison is great! I guess the only thing we are missing is the comparison as working dogs, like herding, etc.
Mazz
Aug 21, 2023, 5:46:34 AM:
They are so similar! But the Border Collie is definitely the most flexible.
Hannah
Nov 11, 2024, 4:54:34 AM:
Australian shepherds are one of my favorite breeds and they both have plenty of similarities great comparison!