Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Border Collie: Introduction
- Collie versus Border Collie: Overview
- Collie versus Border Collie: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Border Collie
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Border Collie
- Lifespan of Collie versus Border Collie
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Border Collie
- Price of Collie versus Price of Border Collie
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Border Collie
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Border Collie
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Border Collie
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Border Collie
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Border Collie
- Do Collies shed more than Border Collies?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Border Collie?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Border Collie?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Border Collies?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Border Collie?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Border Collie
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Border Collies?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Border Collie?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Border Collies?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Border Collie
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Border Collie. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Border Collie: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Border Collie? 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Border Collie 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 Border Collie. 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 Border Collie.
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 Border Collie.
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.
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 Border Collie: Overview
Both the Collie and the Border Collie are similar in size. The Collie and the Border Collie are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Collie and the Border Collie are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Border Collie 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 Border Collie: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Border Collie 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 Border Collie
| Factor | Collie | Border Collie |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 30 to 45 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1000 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $600 – $1250 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 36 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 1 |
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 Border Collie. 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 Border Collie is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Border Collie. So, you should get a Collie!
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Border Collie
The Collie and the Border Collie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Border Collie are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Border Collie
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Border Collie.
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 Border Collie weighs 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The Border Collie is 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Border Collie
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 Border Collie is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Border Collie is 13.5 years.
The Border Collie live longer than the Collie.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Border Collie
The Border Collie has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 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 82.4 percent, the Border Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Border Collie by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 312 Border Collies.
Price of Collie versus Price of Border Collie
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 Border Collie puppy is $1000. The price of the Border Collie typically ranges from $600 – $1250. However, the price of the Border Collie can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1009 Border Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Collie is more expensive than the Border Collie.
| Collie | Border Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1000 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $600 to $1250 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Border Collie. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Border Collie 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 Border Collies
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Border Collie 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 Border Collie
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Border Collies 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, Border Collies are also available for adoption. For example, Collin is a Male Border Collie that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Border Collies like Collin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Riddle is an adorable Male Border Collie on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Collies and Border Collies that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Border Collie
| Collie | Border Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 1 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Border Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 1 out of 130 dog breeds. The Border Collie belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Border Collies tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Border Collie is more intelligent than the Collie.
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 Border Collie
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 Border Collie over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Border Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Collie. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Border Collie is 36 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 Border Collie
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Border Collie Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 44 |
| 2014 | 36 | 40 |
| 2015 | 36 | 38 |
| 2016 | 37 | 38 |
| 2017 | 40 | 38 |
| 2018 | 38 | 35 |
| 2019 | 38 | 33 |
| 2020 | 40 | 32 |
| 2021 | 38 | 31 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Border Collie
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 Border Collie are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Border Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Collie than for the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 13 tests are recommended for the Border Collie.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Border Collies.
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.
Border Collie Health Problems
Border Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Border Collie puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Border Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Border Collie breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Border Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Border Collies here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Border Collies
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 Border Collie Breed is Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
This is because the Border Collie ranks 2 out of 3 dog breeds for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 102 Border Collies, 1 of them had Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Border Collies, and how common these diseases are in Border Collies relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Border Collie and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Border Collie:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Border Collie Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 135 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 | 30 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | 13 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | 49 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 117 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 116 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems | Not Common | 2 out of 3 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 11 out of 21 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 14 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 132 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 Border Collie
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Border Collies?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Border Collies shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Border Collie?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Border Collies are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Border Collie?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Border Collies?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Border Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Border Collie?
Collies are very easy to train.
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Border Collie
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Border Collies?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Border Collie?
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.
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Border Collies?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Border Collie
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Border Collie?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Border Collie?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Border Collies 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 Border Collie. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Manchester Terrier Collie versus English Cocker Spaniel Collie versus Sheepadoodle Collie versus French Spaniel Collie versus Berger Picard Collie versus Chorkie Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai Collie versus Silky Terrier Collie versus Komondor Collie versus Border Collie Collie versus Welsh Terrier Collie versus Westiepoo Collie versus Brussels GriffonConclusion: Collie versus Border Collie. 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 Border Collie better suits you and your family.