Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Brittany: Introduction
- Collie versus Brittany: Overview
- Collie versus Brittany: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Brittany
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Brittany
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Brittany
- Lifespan of Collie versus Brittany
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Brittany
- Price of Collie versus Price of Brittany
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Brittany
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Brittany
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Brittany
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Brittany
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Brittany
- Do Collies shed more than Brittanys?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Brittany?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Brittany?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Brittanys?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Brittany?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Brittany
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Brittanys?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Brittany?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Brittanys?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Brittanys Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Brittany
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Brittanys Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Brittany. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Brittany: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Brittany? 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 Brittany 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 Brittany.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Brittany 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 Brittany. 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 Brittany.
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 Brittany.
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 Brittany.
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 Brittany: Overview
Both the Collie and the Brittany are similar in size. The Collie and the Brittany are both medium-sized dogs.
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 Brittany belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Collie versus Brittany: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Brittany 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 Brittany
| Factor | Collie | Brittany |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 13 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 | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 30 to 40 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $980 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $800 – $1000 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 91.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 26 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 19 |
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 Brittany. 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 Brittany is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Brittany. So, you should get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Brittany
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Brittany are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Brittany
The Collie and the Brittany are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Brittany are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Brittany
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Brittany.
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 Brittany weighs 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. The Brittany is 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Brittany
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 Brittany is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Brittany is 11.5 years.
The Collie live longer than the Brittany.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Brittany
The Brittany has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Brittany is 91.0 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 91.0 percent, the Brittany has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Brittany by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 122 Brittanys.
Price of Collie versus Price of Brittany
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 Brittany puppy is $980. The price of the Brittany typically ranges from $800 – $1000. However, the price of the Brittany can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 273 Brittany puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Collie is more expensive than the Brittany.
| Collie | Brittany | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $980 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $800 to $1000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Brittany. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Brittany 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 Brittanys
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Brittany 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 Brittany
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Brittanys 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, Brittanys are also available for adoption. For example, Pa/Buck is a Male Brittany that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Brittanys like Pa/Buck that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Watson is an adorable Male Brittany on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Collies and Brittanys that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Brittany
| Collie | Brittany | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 19 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Brittany has an obedience intelligence rank of 19 out of 130 dog breeds. The Brittany belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Brittanys tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Collie is more intelligent than the Brittany.
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 Brittany
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 Brittany over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Brittany is more popular with dog owners than the Collie. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Brittany is 26 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 Brittany
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Brittany Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 30 |
| 2014 | 36 | 27 |
| 2015 | 36 | 26 |
| 2016 | 37 | 25 |
| 2017 | 40 | 26 |
| 2018 | 38 | 26 |
| 2019 | 38 | 26 |
| 2020 | 40 | 28 |
| 2021 | 38 | 27 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Brittany
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 Brittany 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 Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Brittany.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Brittany.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 2 tests are recommended for the Brittany.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Brittanys.
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.
Brittany Health Problems
Brittanys are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Brittany 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 Brittany puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Brittany 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 Brittanys for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Brittanys here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Brittanys
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 Brittany Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Brittany ranks 53 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 794 Brittanys, 16 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Brittanys, and how common these diseases are in Brittanys relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Brittany and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Brittany:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Brittany Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 53 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 | 73 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 109 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 82 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 58 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 118 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 Brittany
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Brittanys do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Brittanys?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Brittanys shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Brittany?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Brittanys are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Brittany?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Brittanys get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Brittanys?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Brittanys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Brittany?
Collies are very easy to train.
Brittanys are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Brittany
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Brittanys have a very high tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Brittanys?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Brittanys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Brittany?
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.
Brittanys 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 Brittanys?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Brittanys bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Brittanys Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Brittanys can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Brittany
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Brittanys have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Brittanys Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Brittanys can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Brittany?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Brittanys do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Brittany?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Brittanys are OK for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Brittany. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Collie versus Lhasa Apso Collie versus English Toy Spaniel Collie versus Basset Hound Collie versus Bullmastiff Collie versus American Pit Bull Terrier Collie versus Jack Russell Terrier Collie versus Weimaraner Collie versus English Setter Collie versus Boston Terrier Collie versus Boxerdoodle Collie versus Black and Tan Coonhound Collie versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Collie versus Australian Terrier Collie versus Barbet Collie versus Rhodesian RidgebackConclusion: Collie versus Brittany. 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 Brittany better suits you and your family.
