Last Updated: Mar 09, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Lowchen: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Lowchen: Overview
- Border Collie versus Lowchen: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Lowchen
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Lowchen
- Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Lowchen
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Lowchen
- Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Border Collie
- Price of Border Collie versus Price of Lowchen
- The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Lowchen
- Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Lowchen
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Lowchen
- Do Border Collies shed more than Lowchens?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Lowchen?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Lowchen?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Lowchen
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Lowchens?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Lowchen
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Lowchen. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Lowchen: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Lowchen? 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen.
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 Lowchen.
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 Lowchen: Overview
A very important difference between the Border Collie and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen
| Factor | Border Collie | Lowchen |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 9 to 18 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1000 | $3000 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | $2868 – $4200 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 163 |
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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Lowchen, we still believe that the Border Collie is a better pet than the Lowchen.
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 Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Lowchen
Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Lowchen are most different:
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Lowchen
The Border Collie and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Lowchen are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Lowchen
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Lowchen.
Border Collies weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Border Collies are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 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 Lowchen
The lifespan of Border Collies is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Border Collies is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.
Lowchens live longer than Border Collies.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Border Collie
The Border Collie has a better temperament than the Lowchen.
This is because the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Border Collie and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 312 Border Collies and 12 Lowchens.
Price of Border Collie versus Price of Lowchen
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 Lowchen puppy is $3000. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $2868 – $4200. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 11 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lowchen is more expensive than the Border Collie.
`| Border Collie | Lowchen | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1000 | $3000 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1250 | $2868 to $4200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Collie and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Collie puppies or how many Lowchen 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 Lowchens
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Border Collie puppy or the Lowchen 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 Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Lowchen
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 Lowchen over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Border Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Border Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Border Collie
Popularity of Lowchen
| Year | Border Collie Popularity Rank | Lowchen Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 154 |
| 2014 | 40 | 165 |
| 2015 | 38 | 161 |
| 2016 | 38 | 171 |
| 2017 | 38 | 169 |
| 2018 | 35 | 168 |
| 2019 | 33 | 158 |
| 2020 | 32 | 161 |
Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Lowchen
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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Collie than for the Lowchen.
13 health tests are recommended for Border Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Collies and in Lowchens.
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.
Lowchen Health Problems
Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen 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 Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen 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 Lowchens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Border Collies and Lowchens
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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Border Collie and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Border Collie and the Lowchen:
`| Disease | Border Collie Rank | Lowchen 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 | 163 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 117 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 132 out of 145 dog breeds | 19 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 135 out of 182 dog breeds | 42 out of 182 dog breeds |
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 Lowchen
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Lowchens do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Collies shed more than Lowchens?
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
Lowchens shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Lowchen?
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.
Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Lowchen?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
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.
Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Lowchens are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Lowchen
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Lowchens?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Lowchens 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 Lowchens?
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Lowchen
Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Lowchen?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Lowchens 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 Lowchen. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Dogue de Bordeaux Border Collie versus Great Pyrenees Border Collie versus Lhasa Apso Border Collie versus Black Mouth Cur Border Collie versus Saluki Border Collie versus Puggle Border Collie versus Westiepoo Border Collie versus Spinone Italiano Border Collie versus Border Collie Border Collie versus Affenpinscher Border Collie versus Cavachon Border Collie versus Flat-Coated Retriever Border Collie versus Bordoodle Border Collie versus Vizsla Border Collie versus Japanese Chin Border Collie versus PointerConclusion: Border Collie versus Lowchen. 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 Lowchen better suits you and your family.
