Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Comparison – Which dog is better Little Blue Dog or Cao De Agua?

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

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	Portuguese Water Dog
Origins	United States	Portugal
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	17	54
Reviews	7	5
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog. What other names are these breeds known by?	Little Blue Dog Aussie	Cao De Agua Portie Water Dog
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between an Australian Shepherd and a Portuguese Water Dog. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Large	Medium
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between an Australian Shepherd and a Portuguese Water Dog. Which breed is heavier?	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	Male: 42-55 pounds (19-25 kg), Female: 35-49 pounds (16-22 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: 48.5 pounds (22 kg), Female: 42 pounds (19 kg)
Height Which is taller, Australian Shepherd or Portuguese Water Dog? Is an Australian Shepherd taller than a Portuguese Water Dog?	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)	Male: 20-22 inches (50-57 cm), Female: 17-20 inches (43-52 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: 21 inches (53.5 cm), Female: 18.5 inches (47.5 cm)

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy prices between an Australian Shepherd and a Portuguese Water Dog. Which breed costs more?	$600-$800	$2500-$2800
Availability Which is easier to get, Australian Shepherd or Portuguese Water Dog?	Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Portuguese Water Dog is quite easy to get.

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Which is smarter: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities.	Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Smart: The Portuguese Water Dog dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Which is easier to train: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare training requirements.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog? Compare alertness levels.	Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs are good watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Which is more protective: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare territorial behaviors.	Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits Compare personalities of an Australian Shepherd and a Portuguese Water Dog. How do their temperaments differ?	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured	Intelligent Docile Obedient Brave Impetuous Quarrelsome
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog?	Sensitive: Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog?	Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog social needs comparison:	Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog?	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog? Which can be better for hunting?	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog? Compare play drive and energy.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Portuguese Water Dog is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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.	Apartment-friendly dog the Portuguese Water Dog breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Adaptability and Independence Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare average lifespans.	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years	10-14 years The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dog: 12 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog?	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog 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	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Entropion Ectropion Distichiasis Persistent Pupillary Membranes Addison's Disease Megaesophagus Irritable Bowel Disease (ibd) Abnormally Small Eyes GM-1 Storage Disease Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy Gastrointestinal Diseases Colitis Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis Lymphangiectasia

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Which gains weight easier: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Which eats more: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare daily food needs.	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 2.5 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	Yes See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog? Compare breed colors.	Black Red Blue Merle	Black White Brown
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare maintenance needs.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Portuguese Water Dog requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare drooling amounts.	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Portuguese Water Dog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare natural smell levels.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Portuguese Water Dog has a low chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between an Australian Shepherd and a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare fur types.	Feathered	Curly
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare bathing frequencies.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more Australian Shepherd or Portuguese Water Dog? Do Australian Shepherd dogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dog dogs?	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs shed none to minimal. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Which is better with children: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare kid-friendliness.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs are 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.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Australian Shepherd or Portuguese Water Dog? Which dog is more friendly?	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog?	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Australian Shepherd or Portuguese Water Dog? Can an Australian Shepherd and a Portuguese Water Dog be friends? Do Australian Shepherd dogs get along with Portuguese Water Dog dogs?	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Portuguese Water Dog dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog?	Yes Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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.	Portuguese Water Dogs are usually recommended for elderly people.

Australian Shepherd vs Portuguese Water Dog As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? Compare maritime abilities.	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Yes Portuguese Water Dog breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: an Australian Shepherd or a Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog. 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 1983 as a Hound breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Water Dogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare kennel club recognition between Australian Shepherd and Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Kennel Club Canadian Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale Australian National Kennel Council New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club The Kennel Club

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