Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Comparison - Dog breed selector: Sheepdog or Dwarf Scotch Shepherd or Barbone? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle" Compare Border Collie and Shetland Sheepdog. Which is better: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?

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	Border Collie	Shetland Sheepdog	Toy Poodle
Origins	England Scotland Wales	Scotland	Germany France
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	38	24	449
Reviews	13	6	5
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog	Dwarf Scotch Shepherd Sheltie Shetland Collie Toonie Dog Miniature Collie	Barbone Pudle Teacup Poodle Teddy Poodle
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Which is the smallest dog, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Large	Medium	Small
Weight Which is heavier, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Shetland Sheepdog? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle weight comparison:	Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg)	14-27 pounds (6-12 kg)	Male: 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg)	20.5 pounds (9 kg)	Male: 7.5 pounds (3.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle height comparison:	Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)	13-16 inches (33-41 cm)	Up to 10 inches (25.4 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)	14.5 inches (37 cm)	Up to 10 inches (25.4 cm)

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Which is more expensive?	$600-$800	$800-$1000	$1000-$1500
Availability Which is easier to get, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Shetland Sheepdog is quite easy to get.	Rare: You may rarely see each other in everyday life, but you might catch a glimpse of each other at dog shows.

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle intelligence:	Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Shetland Sheepdog is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Toy Poodle is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle trainability comparison.	Border Collie dogs are easy to train. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	Toy Poodle 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: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are good watchdogs. See more.	Toy Poodle dogs are good watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? 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. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Toy Poodle dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle behavior/temperament comparison:	Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious	Playful Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Lively Gentle	Active Alert Intelligent Trainable Faithful Instinctual
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Shetland Sheepdog 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: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Shetland Sheepdog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Toy Poodle dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle social needs comparison:	Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are a social breed. See more.	Toy Poodle dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	Toy Poodle dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? 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. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog 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.	Toy Poodle dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle playfulness comparison:	The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: Shetland Sheepdogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Toy Poodle is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Shetland Sheepdog is a particularly loud breed. See more.	Average to High: The Toy Poodle is a vocal breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.	It is not recommended to keep the Shetland Sheepdog breed in the home.	Very house-friendly dog the Toy Poodle breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle 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.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Toy Poodle 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 Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Shetland Sheepdog 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.	Toy Poodle 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 Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Collie bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Shetland Sheepdog bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Toy Poodle bite force: Weak.
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 Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Shetland Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Toy Poodle has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle mouthiness comparison:	Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have a low tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Toy Poodle dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle health comparison. Which is the healthier: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Shetland Sheepdog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Toy Poodle 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: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Epilepsy Heart Problems Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Collie Eye Anomaly Haemophilia Trichiasis	Heart Murmurs Slipped Stifle Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Ear Infections Skin Allergies Canine Diabetes Mellitus Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Shetland Sheepdog should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Toy Poodle should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle lifespan comparison. How long do Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and Toy Poodle breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdog: 13 years	14-16 years The average lifespan of Toy Poodle: 15 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	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.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Shetland Sheepdog can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle energy level comparison:	Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Toy Poodle dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have an average exercise need.	Toy Poodle dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.	Toy Poodle dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Shetland Sheepdog has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Toy Poodle's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle coat comparison:	Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long	Dense	Dense Curly Thick
Colors What are the original Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and Toy Poodle color?	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 Blue White Sable Merle	Black Gray Red Blue Cream White Silver Brown Fawn Beige Apricot
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle grooming comparison:	Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or {name3 shedding:	Border Collie dogs shed moderately. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs shed moderately. See more.	Toy Poodle dogs shed none to minimal. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. 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.
Hypoallergenic Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	Yes See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	Medium ⏺ The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Shetland Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Toy Poodle has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Shetland Sheepdog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Toy Poodle is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.	Toy Poodle dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Which dog is more friendly?	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Toy Poodle dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Toy Poodle dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	Toy Poodle dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle?	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are dog-friendly dogs.	Toy Poodle dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	Yes Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Shetland Sheepdog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Toy Poodle 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 Shetland Sheepdog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Toy Poodle 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.	Shetland Sheepdogs are usually recommended for elderly people.	Toy Poodles are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	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 Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Border Collie or Shetland Sheepdog or Toy Poodle? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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?	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.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
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.	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.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle?	Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Shetland Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Toy Poodle 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.

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle 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 Border Collie and Shetland Sheepdog and Toy Poodle have?	4-8 puppies	4-6 puppies	2-4 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Border Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog vs Toy Poodle 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 1911 as a Herding breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
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.	Not recognized by FCI.
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 Canadian Canine Registry	Dog Registry of America Inc.

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