Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
- Collie versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
- Collie versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Australian Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Australian Shepherd
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Australian Shepherd
- Lifespan of Collie versus Australian Shepherd
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Collie
- Price of Collie versus Price of Australian Shepherd
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Australian Shepherd
- Do Collies shed more than Australian Shepherds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Australian Shepherds?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Australian Shepherd
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Australian Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Australian Shepherd? 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd. 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 Australian Shepherd.
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 Australian Shepherd.
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 Australian Shepherd.
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 Australian Shepherd: Overview
Both the Collie and the Australian Shepherd are similar in size. The Collie and the Australian Shepherd are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Collie and the Australian Shepherd are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Australian Shepherd 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.
Collie versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd
| Factor | Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 40 to 65 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $800 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 82.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 15 |
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 Australian Shepherd. 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Australian Shepherd
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Australian Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Australian Shepherd
The Collie and the Australian Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Australian Shepherd are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Australian Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Australian Shepherd.
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 Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Australian Shepherd
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 Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Collie.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Collie
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Australian Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 702 Australian Shepherds.
Price of Collie versus Price of Australian Shepherd
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 Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of the Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Collie is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Collie | Australian Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $800 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Australian Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Australian Shepherd 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
Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Australian Shepherds are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Collie named Marty that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Collies like Marty on pefinder.com.
Also, like Collies, Australian Shepherds are also available for adoption. For example, Max is a Male Australian Shepherd that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Shepherds like Max that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
You can find more Collies and Australian Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
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 Australian Shepherd over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Collie. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 20 |
| 2014 | 36 | 18 |
| 2015 | 36 | 17 |
| 2016 | 37 | 16 |
| 2017 | 40 | 17 |
| 2018 | 38 | 15 |
| 2019 | 38 | 13 |
| 2020 | 40 | 12 |
| 2021 | 38 | 12 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd
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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 7 tests are recommended for the Australian Shepherd.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Australian Shepherds.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Australian Shepherds
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:
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 Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Australian Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Australian Shepherd:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Australian Shepherd Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 133 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | 2 out of 7 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 13 out of 49 dog breeds | 28 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | 12 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | 66 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 77 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 150 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Cataracts problems | Not Common | 1 out of 5 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 7 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 19 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 60 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 103 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 Australian Shepherd
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Australian Shepherds?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
Collies are very easy to train.
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Australian Shepherds?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
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.
Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherds?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Australian Shepherd
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Shepherd?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs 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 Australian Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Saint Berdoodle Collie versus English Setter Collie versus Saluki Collie versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Collie versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Collie versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Collie versus Chihuahua Collie versus Basset Hound Collie versus Jack Russell Terrier Collie versus German Longhaired Pointer Collie versus Spanish Mastiff Collie versus Dogue de Bordeaux Collie versus Lhasa Apso Collie versus Australian Terrier Collie versus Finnish Spitz Collie versus Mudi Collie versus Alaskan MalamuteConclusion: Collie versus Australian Shepherd. 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 Australian Shepherd better suits you and your family.