Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Sheepdog or Little Blue Dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd"
Compare Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Which is better: Border Collie or Australian Shepherd?
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| Name | Border Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England Scotland Wales |  United States |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 38 | 17 |
| Reviews | 13 | 7 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog |
Little Blue Dog Aussie |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 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? | Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg) | Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? Is a Border Collie taller than an Australian Shepherd? | Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 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: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) | Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm) |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. Which breed costs more? | $600-$800 | $600-$800 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? | Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare training requirements. | Border Collie dogs are easy to train. | Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare alertness levels. | Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors. | Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ? |
Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious |
Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? | Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | Sensitive: Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? | High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. |
| Social Needs
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd social needs comparison: | Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. | Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. | Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | 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. | Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. |
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| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy. | The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. | The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare living space needs. | It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home. | 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. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels. | Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? | 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 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 vs Australian Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies. | Low 🔽 The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors. | Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Collie bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare average lifespans. |
11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years |
11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances. | 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. | 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. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. Which breed is healthier? | The Border Collie 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. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? |
Average The Border Collie 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. |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd health problems comparison: | Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans |
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 |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare activity levels. | Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs. | Australian Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises. | Australian Shepherd dogs need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep. | Australian Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare obesity risks. | Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Shepherd's weight, he can easily gain weight. |
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| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare daily food needs. | 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals. | 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
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| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for Border Collie and Australian Shepherd? Compare breed colors. |
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 |
Black Red Blue Merle |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts. | The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The Border Collie 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 a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd? Compare fur types. |
Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long | Feathered |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies. | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? Do Border Collie dogs shed more than Australian Shepherd dogs? | Border Collie dogs shed moderately. | Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness. | Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
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| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets. | Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers. | Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Border Collie or Australian Shepherd? Can a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd be friends? Do Border Collie dogs get along with Australian Shepherd dogs? | Border Collie 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: Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd? |
Yes Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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? | Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare service capabilities. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
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| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | 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: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities. | Yes This breed would make an excellent 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: a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a Border Collie 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. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between Border Collie 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. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Which has larger litters? | 4-8 puppies | 6-9 puppies, average 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. 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 Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized? |
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 |
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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Rate This Comparsion - Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd
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!