Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Comparison - Dog breed selector: Australian Cattle Dog or Little Blue Dog or Border Kelpie? Find the right dog for you

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

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	Blue Heeler	Australian Shepherd	Border Kelpie
Origins	Australia	United States	England Australia Scotland Wales
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Designer Dogs
Popularity Rank	518	17	921
Reviews	2	7	0
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Australian Cattle Dog Cattle Dog Queensland Heeler Red Heeler	Little Blue Dog Aussie	No data available
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Cross Breed

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Which is the smallest dog, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Medium	Large	Large Medium
Weight Which is heavier, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Australian Shepherd? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie weight comparison:	30-62 pounds (13-28 kg)	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	25-45 pounds (11-20 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)	35 pounds (15.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie height comparison:	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)	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: 18.5 inches (47 cm), Female: 18 inches (45.5 cm)	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)

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Which is more expensive?	$400-$800	$600-$800	$600-$800
Availability Which is easier to get, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Rare: You may rarely see each other in everyday life, but you might catch a glimpse of each other at dog shows.	Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Border Kelpie is easier than average to get.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie intelligence:	Smart: The Blue Heeler dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Smart: The Border Kelpie dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie trainability comparison.	Blue Heeler dogs are easy to train. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Border Kelpie dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Blue Heeler dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Border Kelpie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Blue Heeler dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Border Kelpie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Protective Alert Intelligent Hard working Resourceful	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured	Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Loyal Tenacious Robust Eager
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	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.	Sensitive: Border Kelpie 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: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Slightly Below Average: Blue Heeler dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	Average to High: Border Kelpie dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie social needs comparison:	Blue Heeler dogs are kinda antisocial. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.	Border Kelpie dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Blue Heeler is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Border Kelpie is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Blue Heeler 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.	Border Kelpie 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

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie playfulness comparison:	The Blue Heeler is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Border Kelpie is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Low to Average: The Blue Heeler rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Border Kelpie rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Blue Heeler 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.	It is not recommended to keep the Border Kelpie breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Average: Blue Heeler 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.	Border Kelpie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Blue Heeler dogs handle alone time quite well.	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 Kelpie 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.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Blue Heeler bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Kelpie bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Blue Heeler has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Border Kelpie has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie mouthiness comparison:	Blue Heeler 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.	Border Kelpie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie health comparison. Which is the healthier: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Blue Heelers are commonly healthy dogs.	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Border Kelpie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie health problems comparison:	No data available	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 Patellar Luxation Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Osteoarthritis Cerebellar Abiotrophy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Blue Heeler should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Border Kelpie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie lifespan comparison. How long do Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd and Border Kelpie breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	11-15 years The average lifespan of Blue Heeler: 13 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Kelpie: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. 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.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie energy level comparison:	Blue Heeler dogs are high-energy dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Border Kelpie dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Blue Heeler dogs need a lot of exercises.	Australian Shepherd dogs need a lot of exercises.	Border Kelpie dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Blue Heeler dogs don't need too much sleep.	Australian Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Border Kelpie dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	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.	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie weight gain potential comparison:	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Blue Heeler'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.	Average: The Border Kelpie has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie coat comparison:	Dense	Feathered	Dense Feathered Straight Double Short Moderately Long
Colors What are the original Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd and Border Kelpie color?	Blue Red speckled Blue speckled Blue Mottled Red Mottled	Black Red Blue Merle	Black Tan Red Blue Brown Fawn Sable Brindle Chocolate 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 Which dog is easy to maintain, Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Blue Heeler requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Easy to groom: The Border Kelpie doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Blue Heeler dogs shed moderately. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Border Kelpie dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	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.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Hypoallergenic Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Medium ⏺ The Blue Heeler has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Border Kelpie has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Blue Heeler 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.	The Border Kelpie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Blue Heeler dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.	Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Border Kelpie dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Which dog is more friendly?	Blue Heeler dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Border Kelpie dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Blue Heeler dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Border Kelpie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Blue Heeler dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Border Kelpie dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie?	Blue Heeler dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Border Kelpie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Yes Blue Heeler 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.	Yes Border Kelpie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Blue Heeler is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Border Kelpie is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Blue Heelers are not the best breed for elderly people.	Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Border Kelpies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	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.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Blue Heeler or Australian Shepherd or Border Kelpie? Which is better for autism?	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.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	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.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie?	Not really Blue Heeler 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.	Not really Border Kelpie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	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.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military 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.

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Blue Heeler and Australian Shepherd and Border Kelpie have?	1-7 puppies	6-9 puppies, average 7	4-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd vs Border Kelpie Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	No data available	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	No data available

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