Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Basenji: Introduction
- Collie versus Basenji: Overview
- Collie versus Basenji: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Basenji
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Basenji
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Basenji
- Lifespan of Collie versus Basenji
- Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Collie
- Price of Collie versus Price of Basenji
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Basenji
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Basenji
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Basenji
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Basenji
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Basenji
- Do Collies shed more than Basenjis?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Basenji?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Basenji?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Basenjis?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Basenji?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Basenji
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Basenjis?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Basenjis?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Basenji
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Basenji. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Basenji: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Basenji? 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 Basenji 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 Basenji.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Basenji 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 Basenji. 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 Basenji.
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 Basenji.
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 Basenji.
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 Basenji: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Basenji is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Basenji 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 Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Collie versus Basenji: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Basenji 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 Basenji
| Factor | Collie | Basenji |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 22 to 24 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1980 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1450 – $1700 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 68.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 86 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 78 |
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 Basenji. 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 Basenji is 83 out of 125.
Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Collie and the Basenji, we still think that the Collie is a better pet than the Basenji.
This is because Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Collie :-). We are for the Collie. So get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Basenji
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Basenji are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Basenji
The Collie and the Basenji are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Basenji are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Basenji
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Basenji.
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 Basenji weighs 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. The Basenji is 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Basenji
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 Basenji is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Basenji is 11.0 years.
The Collie live longer than the Basenji.
Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Collie
The Collie has a better temperament than the Basenji.
This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Basenji by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 177 Basenjis.
Price of Collie versus Price of Basenji
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 Basenji puppy is $1980. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1700. However, the price of the Basenji can be as low as $1000 and as high as $11920. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 49 Basenji puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Basenji is more expensive than the Collie.
| Collie | Basenji | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1980 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1450 to $1700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Basenji. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Basenji 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 Basenjis
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Basenji 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 Basenji
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Basenjis 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, Basenjis are also available for adoption. For example, Max is a Male Basenji that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Basenjis like Max that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
You can find more Collies and Basenjis that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Basenji
| Collie | Basenji | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 78 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Basenji has an obedience intelligence rank of 78 out of 130 dog breeds. The Basenji belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Basenjis tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Collie is more intelligent than the Basenji.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Basenji
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 Basenji over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Basenji. 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 Basenji is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Basenji
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Basenji Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 85 |
| 2014 | 36 | 86 |
| 2015 | 36 | 87 |
| 2016 | 37 | 88 |
| 2017 | 40 | 84 |
| 2018 | 38 | 87 |
| 2019 | 38 | 87 |
| 2020 | 40 | 86 |
| 2021 | 38 | 87 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Basenji
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 Basenji 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 Basenji is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Basenji than for the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 6 tests are recommended for the Basenji.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Basenjis.
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.
Basenji Health Problems
Basenjis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basenji 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 Basenji puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basenji 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 Basenjis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basenjis here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Basenjis
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 Basenji Breed is Fanconi Syndrome problems.
This is because the Basenji ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Fanconi Syndrome problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 10339 Basenjis, 330 of them had Fanconi Syndrome problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Basenjis, and how common these diseases are in Basenjis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Basenji and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Basenji:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Basenji Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 12 out of 182 dog breeds |
| 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 | 48 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 90 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 177 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Fanconi Syndrome problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 5 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 106 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 Basenji
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Collies shed more than Basenjis?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Basenji?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Basenjis are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Basenji?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Basenjis?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Basenjis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Basenji?
Collies are very easy to train.
Basenjis are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Basenji
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Basenjis?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?
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.
Basenjis 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 Basenjis?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Basenji
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Basenji?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Basenji?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Basenjis are very good 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 Basenji. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Australian Cattle Dog Collie versus Mastiff Collie versus Biewer Terrier Collie versus Japanese Spitz Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog Collie versus Kai Ken Collie versus Shichon Collie versus Chinook Collie versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Collie versus Toy Fox Terrier Collie versus German Shorthaired Pointer Collie versus Bedlington Terrier Collie versus American Eskimo Dog Collie versus Catahoula Bulldog Collie versus Puggle Collie versus Basset Hound Collie versus Bracco Italiano Collie versus WhippetConclusion: Collie versus Basenji. 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 Basenji better suits you and your family.