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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie: Overview
- Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie
- Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie
- Temperament of the Border Collie Versus the Australian Kelpie
- Price of Border Collie versus Price of Australian Kelpie
- Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Australian Kelpie
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie
- Do Border Collies shed more than Australian Kelpies?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Australian Kelpies?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Australian Kelpies?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Australian Kelpie
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie? 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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie.
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 Australian Kelpie.
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 Australian Kelpie: Overview
Both the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie are similar in size. The Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie are Herding Dogs. This means both the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie 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.
Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie to the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie
| Factor | Border Collie | Australian Kelpie |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 25 to 46 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1000 | $590 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | $500 – $600 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 83.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Border Collie is a better pet than the Australian Kelpie. So, you should get a Border Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie
Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie are most different:
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie
The Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie.
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 Australian Kelpie weighs 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Kelpie is 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.
Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.
Lifespan of Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie
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 Australian Kelpie is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Kelpie is 12.5 years.
The Border Collie lives longer than the Australian Kelpie.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Temperament of the Border Collie Versus the Australian Kelpie
The Australian Kelpie has a better temperament than the Border Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 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 83.3 percent, the Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Border Collie and the Australian Kelpie by measuring the temperaments of 312 Border Collies and 6 Australian Kelpies.
Price of Border Collie versus Price of Australian Kelpie
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 Australian Kelpie puppy is $590. The price of the Australian Kelpie typically ranges from $500 – $600. However, the price of the Australian Kelpie can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 20 Australian Kelpie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Border Collie is more expensive than the Australian Kelpie.
| Border Collie | Australian Kelpie | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1000 | $590 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1250 | $500 to $600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Collie and Australian Kelpie. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Collie puppies or how many Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpies
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Border Collie puppy or the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Border Collies and many Australian Kelpies 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, Australian Kelpies are also available for adoption. For example, Cooper is a Male Australian Kelpie that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Kelpies like Cooper that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Dez is an adorable Male Australian Kelpie on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Border Collies and Australian Kelpies that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Collies shed more than Australian Kelpies?
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
Australian Kelpies shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie?
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.
Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?
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.
Australian Kelpies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Australian Kelpies?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies?
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Australian Kelpies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Australian Kelpie
Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Australian Kelpies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Kelpie?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Australian Kelpie?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpie. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Gordon Setter Border Collie versus Bluetick Coonhound Border Collie versus Karelian Bear Dog Border Collie versus Boerboel Border Collie versus Norwegian Buhund Border Collie versus Icelandic Sheepdog Border Collie versus Siberian Husky Border Collie versus Saint Bernard Border Collie versus Beaglier Border Collie versus Swedish Vallhund Border Collie versus Bullmastiff Border Collie versus Cockalier Border Collie versus Dogue de Bordeaux Border Collie versus Norfolk Terrier Border Collie versus Border Terrier Border Collie versus MaltipooConclusion: Border Collie versus Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie better suits you and your family.
