Which is Better between the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier?

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022

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Collie Versus American Hairless Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier? 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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier 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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier 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 Collie and for the American Hairless Terrier. 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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Collie or the American Hairless Terrier.

Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth 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.

See this article that compares the Border Collie to the American Hairless Terrier.

Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.

Collie versus American Hairless Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the American Hairless Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the 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 American Hairless Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Collie versus American Hairless Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the American Hairless Terrier 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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier

FactorCollieAmerican Hairless Terrier
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span10 to 14 years13 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder12 to 16 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/51/5
Dog Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/55/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds10 to 16 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years14.5 years
Average Price$1480$1600
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1500 – $2000
Temperament Score80.8 percent83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual exams until at least Age 8 yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds37126
    *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 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 American Hairless Terrier. 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the American Hairless Terrier is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the American Hairless Terrier. So, you should get a Collie!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are most different:

  • Collies require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.
  • Collies can tolerate cold weather. However, American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier

    The Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size Comparison of the Collie versus American Hairless Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier.

    The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the American Hairless Terrier weighs 10 to 16 pounds when fully grown. The American Hairless Terrier is 12 to 16 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Collie versus Size of American Hairless Terrier

    Lifespan of Collie versus American Hairless Terrier

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

    The lifespan of the American Hairless Terrier is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the American Hairless Terrier is 14.5 years.

    The American Hairless Terrier live longer than the Collie.

    Temperament of the Collie Versus the American Hairless Terrier

    The American Hairless Terrier has a better temperament than the Collie.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Hairless Terrier is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the American Hairless Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the American Hairless Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 6 American Hairless Terriers.

    Price of Collie versus Price of American Hairless Terrier

    The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the American Hairless Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the American Hairless Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2000. However, the price of the American Hairless Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 American Hairless Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The American Hairless Terrier is more expensive than the Collie.

    Collie American Hairless Terrier
    Average Price $1480 $1600
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1500 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and American Hairless Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many American Hairless Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the American Hairless Terrier 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.

    Check out our list of best Collie breeders here

    The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the American Hairless Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Hairless Terrier is 126 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    Year Collie Popularity Rank American Hairless Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 35 no data
    2014 36 no data
    2015 36 no data
    2016 37 106.0
    2017 40 126.0
    2018 38 136.0
    2019 38 124.0
    2020 40 129.0
    2021 38 135.0

    Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of American Hairless Terrier

    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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier 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 American Hairless Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Hairless Terrier than for the Collie.

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 9 tests are recommended for the American Hairless Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in American Hairless Terriers.

    Collie Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

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

    American Hairless Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual exams until at least Age 8 yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Hairless Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and American Hairless Terriers

    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 Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

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

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 1 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 13 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 16 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 65 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 107 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 182 out of 198 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 American Hairless Terrier Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the American Hairless Terrier ranks 65 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 238 American Hairless Terriers, 5 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 65 out of 145 Dog Breeds

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

    Disease Collie Rank American Hairless Terrier Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 1 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 13 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 16 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 65 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 107 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 182 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems Not Common 65 out of 145 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: Collie versus American Hairless Terrier

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    American Hairless Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Collies shed more than American Hairless Terriers?

    Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the American Hairless Terrier?

    Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the American Hairless Terrier?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    American Hairless Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about American Hairless Terriers?

    Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    American Hairless Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    American Hairless Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the American Hairless Terrier

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    American Hairless Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and American Hairless Terriers?

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

    American Hairless Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Collies 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.

    American Hairless Terriers 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about American Hairless Terriers?

    Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    American Hairless Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. American Hairless Terrier

    Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    American Hairless Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    American Hairless Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    American Hairless Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the American Hairless Terrier?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    American Hairless Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the American Hairless Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:

    Collie versus Bich Poo     Collie versus Cocker Spaniel     Collie versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Collie versus Valley Bulldog     Collie versus Bullmastiff     Collie versus Yorkshire Terrier     Collie versus Schipperke     Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Collie versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Collie versus Bluetick Coonhound     Collie versus Norwegian Lundehund     Collie versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Collie versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Collie versus English Springer Spaniel     Collie versus Golden Retriever     Collie versus Papipoo     Collie versus Brussels Griffon     Collie versus Irish Setter     Collie versus Redbone Coonhound     

    Conclusion: Collie versus American Hairless Terrier. 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 Collie and the American Hairless Terrier better suits you and your family.