Differences and Similarities between the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano.

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Border Collie Versus Bracco Italiano: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano? 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 Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano.

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 Bracco Italiano.

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 Bracco Italiano

Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Bracco Italiano is a large-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 Bracco Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Border Collie to the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano

FactorBorder CollieBracco Italiano
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 14 years
Height18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder22 to 26 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/51/5
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
General Health2/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/54/5
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Easy To Groom3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Weight30 to 45 pounds55 to 90 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Kid-Friendly4/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
Intelligence5/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$1000$2300
Price Range$600 – $1250$2000 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Congenital Deafness
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination, recommended annually until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
  • Shoulders
  • TNS Info
  • Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Border Collie is a better pet than the Bracco Italiano. So, you should get a Border Collie!

    Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano

    The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano

    The Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are most similar:

  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano.

    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 Bracco Italiano weighs 55 to 90 pounds when fully grown. The Bracco Italiano is 22 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Border Collie versus Size of Bracco Italiano

    Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.

    Lifespan of Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Bracco Italiano is 12.0 years.

    The Border Collie lives longer than the Bracco Italiano.

    Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.

    Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano

    Price of Border Collie versus Price of Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano puppy is $2300. The price of the Bracco Italiano typically ranges from $2000 – $2500. However, the price of the Bracco Italiano can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Bracco Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bracco Italiano is more expensive than the Border Collie.

    Border Collie Bracco Italiano
    Average Price $1000 $2300
    Price Range $600 to $1250 $2000 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Collie and Bracco Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Collie puppies or how many Bracco Italiano 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 Border Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Border Collie puppy or the Bracco Italiano 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

    Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano

    Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Collie than for the Bracco Italiano.

    13 health tests are recommended for Border Collie while 4 tests are recommended for the Bracco Italiano.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Collies and in Bracco Italianos.

    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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Congenital Deafness
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination, recommended annually until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
  • Shoulders
  • TNS Info
  • Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Border Collies here.

    Bracco Italiano Health Problems

    Bracco Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italianos for:

  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bracco Italianos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Border Collies and Bracco Italianos

    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:

  • Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems: Rank 2 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 11 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 13 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 14 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 30 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 49 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 116 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 117 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 132 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 135 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Bracco Italiano Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Bracco Italiano ranks 31 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Bracco Italianos, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Bracco Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Bracco Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 31 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 35 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 109 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Border Collie and in Bracco Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Border Collie and the Bracco Italiano:

    Disease Border Collie Rank Bracco Italiano 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 Not Common
    Hips problems 116 out of 198 dog breeds 109 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 117 out of 144 dog breeds 35 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 132 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 135 out of 182 dog breeds 31 out of 182 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 Bracco Italiano

    Border Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Bracco Italianos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Border Collies shed more than Bracco Italianos?

    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

    Bracco Italianos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Bracco Italiano?

    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.

    Bracco Italianos are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Bracco Italiano?

    Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Bracco Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Bracco Italianos?

    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.

    Bracco Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Bracco Italiano?

    Border Collies are very easy to train.

    Bracco Italianos are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Bracco Italiano

    Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bracco Italianos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Bracco Italianos?

    Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Bracco Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bracco Italiano?

    Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Bracco Italianos 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 Bracco Italianos?

    Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Bracco Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Bracco Italianos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Bracco Italiano

    Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Bracco Italianos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.

    Bracco Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Bracco Italiano?

    Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Bracco Italianos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Bracco Italiano?

    Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Bracco Italianos 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 Bracco Italiano. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:

    Border Collie versus Lhasa Apso     Border Collie versus German Longhaired Pointer     Border Collie versus Pomchi     Border Collie versus Shiranian     Border Collie versus Papillon     Border Collie versus Sheepadoodle     Border Collie versus Saint Berdoodle     Border Collie versus Mal Shi     Border Collie versus Silky Terrier     Border Collie versus Azawakh     Border Collie versus Bull Terrier     Border Collie versus Chi-Poo     Border Collie versus Akita     Border Collie versus Japanese Spitz     Border Collie versus Canaan Dog     Border Collie versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Border Collie versus Akbash     Border Collie versus Biewer Terrier     

    Conclusion: Border Collie versus Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano better suits you and your family.