Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Bichon Frise: Introduction
- Collie versus Bichon Frise: Overview
- Collie versus Bichon Frise: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Bichon Frise
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Bichon Frise
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Bichon Frise
- Lifespan of Collie versus Bichon Frise
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Bichon Frise
- Price of Collie versus Price of Bichon Frise
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Bichon Frise
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Bichon Frise
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Bichon Frise
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Bichon Frise
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Bichon Frise
- Do Collies shed more than Bichon Frises?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Bichon Frise?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Bichon Frise?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Bichon Frises?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Bichon Frise?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Bichon Frise
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Bichon Frises?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bichon Frise?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Bichon Frises?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bichon Frises Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Bichon Frise
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bichon Frises Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Bichon Frise. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Bichon Frise: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Bichon Frise? 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 Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise. 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 Bichon Frise.
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 Bichon Frise.
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 Bichon Frise.
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 Bichon Frise: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Bichon Frise is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise 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.
Collie versus Bichon Frise: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise
| Factor | Collie | Bichon Frise |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 9 to 11 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 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 7 to 12 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $2040 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1500 – $2395 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 76.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 44 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 45 |
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 Bichon Frise. 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 Bichon Frise is 87 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Bichon Frise, we still believe that the Collie is a better pet than the Bichon Frise.
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 Bichon Frise
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Bichon Frise are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Bichon Frise
The Collie and the Bichon Frise are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Bichon Frise are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Bichon Frise
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Bichon Frise.
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 Bichon Frise weighs 7 to 12 pounds when fully grown. The Bichon Frise is 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Bichon Frise
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 Bichon Frise is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Bichon Frise is 13.5 years.
The Bichon Frise live longer than the Collie.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Bichon Frise
The Collie has a better temperament than the Bichon Frise.
This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Bichon Frise is 76.7 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 76.7 percent, the Bichon Frise has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Bichon Frise by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 30 Bichon Frises.
Price of Collie versus Price of Bichon Frise
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 Bichon Frise puppy is $2040. The price of the Bichon Frise typically ranges from $1500 – $2395. However, the price of the Bichon Frise can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 312 Bichon Frise puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Bichon Frise is more expensive than the Collie.
| Collie | Bichon Frise | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $2040 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1500 to $2395 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Bichon Frise. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frises
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Bichon Frises 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, Bichon Frises are also available for adoption. For example, Dudley is a Male Bichon Frise that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Bichon Frises like Dudley that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Bogey is an adorable Male Bichon Frise on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Collies and Bichon Frises that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Bichon Frise
| Collie | Bichon Frise | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 45 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
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 Bichon Frise has an obedience intelligence rank of 45 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bichon Frise belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bichon Frises tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Collie is more intelligent than the Bichon Frise.
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 Bichon Frise
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 Bichon Frise over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Bichon Frise. 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 Bichon Frise is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Bichon Frise
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Bichon Frise Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 40 |
| 2014 | 36 | 44 |
| 2015 | 36 | 44 |
| 2016 | 37 | 45 |
| 2017 | 40 | 46 |
| 2018 | 38 | 46 |
| 2019 | 38 | 43 |
| 2020 | 40 | 45 |
| 2021 | 38 | 47 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Bichon Frise
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 Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bichon Frise than for the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 5 tests are recommended for the Bichon Frise.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Bichon Frises.
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.
Bichon Frise Health Problems
Bichon Frises are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frise puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bichon Frise 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 Bichon Frises for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bichon Frises here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Bichon Frises
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 Bichon Frise Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Bichon Frise ranks 38 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 89 Bichon Frises, 3 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Bichon Frises, and how common these diseases are in Bichon Frises relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Bichon Frise and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Bichon Frise:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Bichon Frise Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 72 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 | 38 out of 49 dog breeds |
| 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 | 124 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 134 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 49 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 75 out of 159 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 Bichon Frise
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Bichon Frises do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Bichon Frises?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Bichon Frises do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Bichon Frise?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Bichon Frises require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Bichon Frise?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Bichon Frises get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Bichon Frises?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Bichon Frises are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Bichon Frise?
Collies are very easy to train.
Bichon Frises are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Bichon Frise
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Bichon Frises do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Bichon Frises?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Bichon Frises get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bichon Frise?
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.
Bichon Frises 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 Bichon Frises?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Bichon Frises are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bichon Frises Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Bichon Frises can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Bichon Frise
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Bichon Frises do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bichon Frises Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Bichon Frises can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Bichon Frise?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Bichon Frises adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Bichon Frise?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Bichon Frises 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 Bichon Frise. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Skye Terrier Collie versus Irish Terrier Collie versus Chorkie Collie versus Affenpinscher Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Collie versus Schnoodle Collie versus Bernedoodle Collie versus German Shepherd Dog Collie versus English Setter Collie versus Japanese Spitz Collie versus Bernese Mountain Dog Collie versus Westiepoo Collie versus Chinese Crested Collie versus Bull Terrier Collie versus Xoloitzcuintli Collie versus Pointer Collie versus Lhasa Apso Collie versus Chinese Shar-PeiConclusion: Collie versus Bichon Frise. 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 Bichon Frise better suits you and your family.