Border Collie vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Sheepdog or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Border Collie vs German Shepherd"
Compare Border Collie and German Shepherd. Which is better: Border Collie or German Shepherd?
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| Name | Border Collie | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England Scotland Wales |  Germany |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 38 | 2 |
| Reviews | 13 | 13 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Border Collie vs German Shepherd breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, Border Collie or German Shepherd?
Is the Border Collie bigger than the German Shepherd breed?
Is a Border Collie smaller than a German Shepherd? | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, Border Collie or German Shepherd? Border Collie vs German Shepherd weight comparison: | Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 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: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Border Collie or German Shepherd? Is a Border Collie taller than a German Shepherd? | Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 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: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Border Collie and German Shepherd? | $600-$800 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Border Collie or German Shepherd smarter? Which is best? Border Collie vs German Shepherd intelligence: | Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Trainability
Border Collie vs German Shepherd trainability comparison. What's the difference between Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs are easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Border Collie or German Shepherd?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Border Collie or German Shepherd? Border Collie vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison: |
Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | Sensitive: German 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 German Shepherd? | High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Border Collie vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Border Collie vs German 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. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Playfulness
Border Collie vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison: | The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
|---|---|---|
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd? | 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 German Shepherd indoors. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Collie bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
|---|---|---|
| Biting Potential
Is a Border Collie more dangerous than a German Shepherd? | Low 🔽 The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Border Collie vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison: | Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Health Issues
Border Collie vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Border Collie vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: | Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? |
Average The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Life Expectancy
Border Collie vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Border Collie and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Border Collie and German Shepherd? |
11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | 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. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a Border Collie or German Shepherd?
Border Collie vs German Shepherd energy level comparison: | Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Border Collie vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Border Collie or German Shepherd? Does the Border Collie breed eat more than the German Shepherd breed? | 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Border Collie vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison: | Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Border Collie vs German Shepherd coat comparison: |
Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long | Fuzzy |
|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original Border Collie and German Shepherd color? Border Collie vs German Shepherd color comparison: |
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 Tan Red Silver |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Border Collie or German Shepherd? Border Collie vs German Shepherd grooming comparison: | Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Border Collie or German Shepherd? Do Border Collie dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | Border Collie dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Border Collie or German Shepherd? | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Hypoallergenic
Border Collie vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Medium ⏺ The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd? | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd? Can a Border Collie and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Border Collie dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German 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 German 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. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Border Collie or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism? | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog? | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | 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? | Yes This breed would make an excellent 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: Border Collie vs German Shepherd? | Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| 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. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Fighting Dog / Military Dog | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size
How many puppies can Border Collie and German Shepherd have? Border Collie vs German Shepherd litter size comparison: | 4-8 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
Border Collie vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI? | 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. |
| Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds? |
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 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 German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
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Rate This Comparsion - Border Collie vs German Shepherd
Reviews
- Border collie
Dec 20, 2019, 7:59:59 PM:
Bella is extremely friendly with kids of all ages and loves to play!
- Michael
Apr 29, 2020, 1:47:50 AM:
Having both in the household, my opinion is the GSD is more inclined to do as its told, he is younger still in the puppy phase, still suffers from losing concentration and focus, but still more likely to do as he is told
- German Shepard
Apr 17, 2021, 10:17:12 PM: