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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Bearded Collie: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Bearded Collie: Overview
- Border Collie versus Bearded Collie: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie
- Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Bearded Collie
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Bearded Collie
- Temperament of the Bearded Collie Versus the Border Collie
- Price of Border Collie versus Price of Bearded Collie
- The Intelligence of the Border Collie versus the Intelligence of the Bearded Collie
- The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Bearded Collie
- Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Bearded Collie
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Bearded Collie
- Do Border Collies shed more than Bearded Collies?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Bearded Collies?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Bearded Collie?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Bearded Collies?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bearded Collie?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Bearded Collies?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bearded Collies Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Bearded Collie
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bearded Collies Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Bearded Collie. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Bearded Collie: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie? 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 Bearded Collie 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 Bearded Collie.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie 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 Bearded Collie. 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 Bearded Collie.
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 Bearded Collie.
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 Bearded Collie: Overview
Both the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie are similar in size. The Border Collie and the Bearded Collie are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie are Herding Dogs. This means both the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie 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 Bearded Collie: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie to the Bearded Collie 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 Bearded Collie
| Factor | Border Collie | Bearded Collie |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 20 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 45 to 55 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1000 | $1000 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | $600 – $1425 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 56.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 36 | 126 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 1 | 34 |
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 Bearded Collie. 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 Bearded Collie is 80 out of 125.
Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie, we still think that the Border Collie is a better pet than the Bearded Collie.
This is because Border Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Border Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Border Collie :-). We are for the Border Collie. So get a Border Collie!
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie
The Border Collie and the Bearded Collie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Bearded Collie
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie.
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 Bearded Collie weighs 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Bearded Collie is 20 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.
Lifespan of Border Collie versus Bearded Collie
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 Bearded Collie is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Bearded Collie is 13.0 years.
The Border Collie lives longer than the Bearded Collie.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Temperament of the Bearded Collie Versus the Border Collie
The Border Collie has a better temperament than the Bearded Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Bearded Collie is 56.9 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 56.9 percent, the Bearded Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie by measuring the temperaments of 312 Border Collies and 51 Bearded Collies.
Price of Border Collie versus Price of Bearded Collie
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 Bearded Collie puppy is $1000. The price of the Bearded Collie typically ranges from $600 – $1425. However, the price of the Bearded Collie can be as low as $150 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Bearded Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Bearded Collie and the Border Collie are sold for about the same price.
| Border Collie | Bearded Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1000 | $1000 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1250 | $600 to $1425 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Collie and Bearded Collie. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Collie puppies or how many Bearded Collie 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 Bearded Collies
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Border Collie puppy or the Bearded Collie 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
The Intelligence of the Border Collie versus the Intelligence of the Bearded Collie
| Border Collie | Bearded Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 1 out of 130 dog breeds | 34 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Border Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 1 out of 130 dog breeds. The Border Collie belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Border Collies tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Bearded Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bearded Collie belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Bearded Collies tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Border Collie is more intelligent than the Bearded Collie.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Bearded Collie
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Border Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Bearded Collie. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Border Collie is 36 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Bearded Collie is 126 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Border Collie
Popularity of Bearded Collie
| Year | Border Collie Popularity Rank | Bearded Collie Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 112 |
| 2014 | 40 | 121 |
| 2015 | 38 | 119 |
| 2016 | 38 | 126 |
| 2017 | 38 | 125 |
| 2018 | 35 | 127 |
| 2019 | 33 | 136 |
| 2020 | 32 | 125 |
| 2021 | 31 | 143 |
Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Bearded Collie
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 Bearded Collie 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 Bearded Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Collie than for the Bearded Collie.
13 health tests are recommended for Border Collie while 4 tests are recommended for the Bearded Collie.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Collies and in Bearded Collies.
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.
Bearded Collie Health Problems
Bearded Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bearded 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 Bearded Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bearded 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 Bearded Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bearded Collies here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Border Collies and Bearded Collies
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 Bearded Collie Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Bearded Collie ranks 3 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 76 Bearded Collies, 2 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Bearded Collies, and how common these diseases are in Bearded Collies relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Border Collie and in Bearded Collie and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Border Collie and the Bearded Collie:
| Disease | Border Collie Rank | Bearded Collie 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 | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 49 out of 115 dog breeds | 92 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 116 out of 198 dog breeds | 149 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 117 out of 144 dog breeds | 96 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 132 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 135 out of 182 dog breeds | 117 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 3 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 Bearded Collie
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Bearded Collies do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Collies shed more than Bearded Collies?
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
Bearded Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie?
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.
Bearded Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Bearded Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Bearded Collies?
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.
Bearded Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Bearded Collie?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Bearded Collies are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Bearded Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Bearded Collies?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Bearded Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bearded Collie?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Bearded Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Bearded Collies?
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Bearded Collies bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bearded Collies Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Bearded Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Bearded Collie
Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Bearded Collies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bearded Collies Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Bearded Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Bearded Collie?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Bearded Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Bearded Collie?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Bearded Collies are very good 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 Bearded Collie. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Border Collie Border Collie versus Weimaraner Border Collie versus Papipoo Border Collie versus Sealyham Terrier Border Collie versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Border Collie versus Collie Border Collie versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Border Collie versus Japanese Spitz Border Collie versus Xoloitzcuintli Border Collie versus Neapolitan Mastiff Border Collie versus Azawakh Border Collie versus American Bulldog Border Collie versus Irish Water SpanielConclusion: Border Collie versus Bearded Collie. 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 Bearded Collie better suits you and your family.
