Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Comparison - Dog breed selector: Decker Giant or Mini Aussie or Sheepdog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie" Compare Rat Terrier and Miniature Australian Shepherd. Which is better: Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?

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	Rat Terrier	Miniature Australian Shepherd	Border Collie
Origins	United States	United States	England Scotland Wales
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Hunting Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	97	381	38
Reviews	2	2	13
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Decker Giant Rat Rattie Ratting Terrier American Rat Terrier	Mini Aussie Mini Aussie Shepherd Mini Australian Shepherd Miniature Aussie Shepherd North American Shepherd North American Miniature Australian Shepherd	Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Which is the smallest dog, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Small	Medium	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie weight comparison:	Standard: 12-35 pounds (5.5-16 kg)	20–40 pounds (9-18 kg)	Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Standard: 23.5 pounds (5.10.5 kg)	30 pounds (13.5 kg)	Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie height comparison:	Standard: 14-23 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	13–18 inches (33-46 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?	Standard: 18.5 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	15.5 inches (39.5 cm)	Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Which is more expensive?	$300-$500	$1000-$2000	$600-$800
Availability Which is easier to get, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Very frequent: The Rat Terrier is quite easy to get.	Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a commonly available dog breed.	Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get.

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

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

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie behavior/temperament comparison:	Loving Alert Affectionate Lively Inquisitive	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured	Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious
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: Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Border Collie 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: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	High: Rat Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average to High: Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie social needs comparison:	Rat Terrier dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.	Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Rat Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Rat Terrier dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	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.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie playfulness comparison:	Average: Rat Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	Average: The Rat Terrier barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Border Collie 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 Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Very house-friendly dog the Rat Terrier 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 Miniature Australian Shepherd indoors.	It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Rat Terrier dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Rat Terrier dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Miniature 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 dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie health comparison. Which is the healthier: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	The Rat Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Border Collie 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: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Eye Problems Heart Problems	Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Drug Sensitivity Retinal Dysplasia Glaucoma Juvenile Cataracts Iris Coloboma	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Rat Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Miniature Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie lifespan comparison. How long do Rat Terrier, Miniature Australian Shepherd and Border Collie breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	14-18 years The average lifespan of Rat Terrier: 16 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of Miniature Australian Shepherd: 11 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Miniature 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 Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	No data available	1 to 2 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? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Rat Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie coat comparison:	Dense Shiny	Feathered	Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long
Colors What are the original Rat Terrier, Miniature Australian Shepherd and Border Collie color?	Black Tan Blue White Brown Tricolor	Red Red Merle White & Black & Tan Blue Merle	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
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Rat Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Rat Terrier dogs shed above average. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Border Collie 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: Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	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 Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie 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, Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	Medium ⏺ The Rat Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Miniature Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Rat Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Miniature Australian Shepherd is an average drooler. See more.	The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Rat Terrier dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? Which dog is more friendly?	Rat Terrier dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Border Collie 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 Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Rat Terrier dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Rat Terrier dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?	Rat Terrier dogs are dog-friendly dogs.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	Yes Rat Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Rat Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Miniature Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Border Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Rat Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Miniature Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie 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: Rat Terrier or Miniature Australian Shepherd or Border Collie? 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?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie?	Not really Rat Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Miniature Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Border Collie 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.

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie 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 Rat Terrier and Miniature Australian Shepherd and Border Collie have?	5-7 puppies	2-6 puppies	4-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Rat Terrier vs Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013 as a Terrier breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Not recognized by FCI.	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. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club	America's Pet Registry American Canine Association, Inc.	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

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