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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Alaskan Klee Kai: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai: Overview
- Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai
- Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai
- Temperament of the Alaskan Klee Kai Versus the Border Collie
- Price of Border Collie versus Price of Alaskan Klee Kai
- Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Alaskan Klee Kai
- Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Alaskan Klee Kai
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai
- Do Border Collies shed more than Alaskan Klee Kais?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Alaskan Klee Kais?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Alaskan Klee Kai?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Alaskan Klee Kais?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Alaskan Klee Kai?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Alaskan Klee Kais?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Alaskan Klee Kai
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Alaskan Klee Kai: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Border Collie and for the Alaskan Klee Kai. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Note that the border collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth-coat border collie and the rough-coat border collie. Read our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
Finally, just like the border collie, the collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough collie and the smooth collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai: Overview
A very important difference between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Alaskan Klee Kai is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Border Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Alaskan Klee Kai belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie to the Alaskan Klee Kai based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai
| Factor | Border Collie | Alaskan Klee Kai |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 10 to 15 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1000 | $2570 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | $2000 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 50.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Border Collie in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Alaskan Klee Kai. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Border Collie is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Alaskan Klee Kai is 75 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Border Collie is a better pet than the Alaskan Klee Kai. So, you should get a Border Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai
Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai are most different:
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai
The Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai.
The Border Collie weighs 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The Border Collie is 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Alaskan Klee Kai weighs 10 to 15 pounds when fully grown. The Alaskan Klee Kai is 13 to 17 inches when fully grown.
Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.
Lifespan of Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai
The lifespan of the Border Collie is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Border Collie is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Alaskan Klee Kai is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Alaskan Klee Kai is 14.0 years.
The Alaskan Klee Kai lives longer than the Border Collie.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Temperament of the Alaskan Klee Kai Versus the Border Collie
The Border Collie has a better temperament than the Alaskan Klee Kai.
This is because the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Alaskan Klee Kai is 50.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.4 percent, the Border Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Alaskan Klee Kai has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai by measuring the temperaments of 312 Border Collies and 2 Alaskan Klee Kais.
Price of Border Collie versus Price of Alaskan Klee Kai
The average price of the Border Collie puppy is $1000. The price of the Border Collie typically ranges from $600 – $1250. However, the price of a Border Collie can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1009 Border Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Alaskan Klee Kai puppy is $2570. The price of the Alaskan Klee Kai typically ranges from $2000 – $3000. However, the price of the Alaskan Klee Kai can be as low as $400 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 202 Alaskan Klee Kai puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is more expensive than the Border Collie.
| Border Collie | Alaskan Klee Kai | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1000 | $2570 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1250 | $2000 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Collie and Alaskan Klee Kai. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Collie puppies or how many Alaskan Klee Kai puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Border Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Alaskan Klee Kais
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Border Collie puppy or the Alaskan Klee Kai puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie cost and price.
Check out our list of best Border Collie breeders here
Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Alaskan Klee Kai
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Border Collies and many Alaskan Klee Kais are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Border Collie named Aco Border Collie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Border Collies like Aco Border Collie on pefinder.com.
Also, like Border Collies, Alaskan Klee Kais are also available for adoption. For example, Flash is a Male Alaskan Klee Kai that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Alaskan Klee Kais like Flash that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Stallion is an adorable Male Alaskan Klee Kai on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Border Collies and Alaskan Klee Kais that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Alaskan Klee Kai
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Border Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Alaskan Klee Kai.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Collie than for the Alaskan Klee Kai.
13 health tests are recommended for Border Collie while 7 tests are recommended for the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Collies and in Alaskan Klee Kais.
Border Collie Health Problems
Border Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Border Collie puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Border Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Border Collie breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Border Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Border Collies here.
Alaskan Klee Kai Health Problems
Alaskan Klee Kais are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Alaskan Klee Kai puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Alaskan Klee Kai puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Alaskan Klee Kai breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Alaskan Klee Kais for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Alaskan Klee Kais here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Border Collies and Alaskan Klee Kais
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Border Collie Breed is Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
This is because the Border Collie ranks 2 out of 3 dog breeds for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 102 Border Collies, 1 of them had Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Border Collies, and how common these diseases are in Border Collies relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Alaskan Klee Kai Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Alaskan Klee Kai ranks 1 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 98 Alaskan Klee Kais, 47 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Alaskan Klee Kais, and how common these diseases are in Alaskan Klee Kais relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Border Collie and in Alaskan Klee Kai and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai:
| Disease | Border Collie Rank | Alaskan Klee Kai Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems | 2 out of 3 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 11 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 13 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 14 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 30 out of 49 dog breeds | 1 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 49 out of 115 dog breeds | 67 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 116 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 117 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 132 out of 145 dog breeds | 83 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 135 out of 182 dog breeds | 159 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 74 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Alaskan Klee Kais do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Collies shed more than Alaskan Klee Kais?
Border Collies shed moderately.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Border Collies, and on how to groom a Border Collie
Alaskan Klee Kais shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai?
Border Collies are moderately easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Border Collie, check out our article on how to groom a Border Collie.
Learn more on how to take care of a Border Collie here.
Alaskan Klee Kais are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Alaskan Klee Kais do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Alaskan Klee Kais?
Border Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Border Collie make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Border Collie temperament here.
Alaskan Klee Kais are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Alaskan Klee Kai?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Alaskan Klee Kais are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Alaskan Klee Kais do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Alaskan Klee Kais?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Alaskan Klee Kais get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Alaskan Klee Kai?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Alaskan Klee Kais have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Alaskan Klee Kais?
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Alaskan Klee Kais bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Alaskan Klee Kais can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Alaskan Klee Kai
Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Alaskan Klee Kais have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Alaskan Klee Kais cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Alaskan Klee Kai?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Alaskan Klee Kais adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Alaskan Klee Kai?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Alaskan Klee Kais are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Border Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Alaskan Klee Kai. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Border Collie versus Scottish Deerhound Border Collie versus Barbet Border Collie versus Siberian Husky Border Collie versus Pyredoodle Border Collie versus Finnish Spitz Border Collie versus Cockalier Border Collie versus Pomsky Border Collie versus Bolognese Border Collie versus Cane Corso Border Collie versus Lowchen Border Collie versus Shiranian Border Collie versus Boerboel Border Collie versus Coton de Tulear Border Collie versus Giant Schnauzer Border Collie versus PekingeseConclusion: Border Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Border Collie and the Alaskan Klee Kai better suits you and your family.
