Collie versus Canaan Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Collie Versus Canaan Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Canaan Dog? 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog.

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 Canaan Dog.

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 Canaan Dog.

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 Canaan Dog: Overview

Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are similar in size. The Collie and the Canaan Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog

FactorCollieCanaan Dog
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/54/5
Life Span10 to 14 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/55/5
General Health3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Does NOT Shed1/52/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds35 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1480$1050
Price Range$1000 – $1800$825 – $1275
Temperament Score80.8 percent62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds37177
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    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 Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Canaan Dog, we still believe that the Collie is a better pet than the Canaan Dog.

    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 Canaan Dog

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Canaan Dog are most different:

  • Collies require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.
  • Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Canaan Dog

    The Collie and the Canaan Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Canaan Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Canaan Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size Comparison of the Collie versus Canaan Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Canaan Dog.

    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 Canaan Dog weighs 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Canaan Dog is 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Collie versus Size of Canaan Dog

    Lifespan of Collie versus Canaan Dog

    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 Canaan Dog is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Canaan Dog is 13.5 years.

    The Canaan Dog live longer than the Collie.

    Temperament of the Canaan Dog Versus the Collie

    The Collie has a better temperament than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Canaan Dog is 62.5 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 62.5 percent, the Canaan Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Canaan Dog by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 8 Canaan Dogs.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Canaan Dog

    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 Canaan Dog puppy is $1050. The price of the Canaan Dog typically ranges from $825 – $1275. However, the price of the Canaan Dog can be as low as $600 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Canaan Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Collie is more expensive than the Canaan Dog.

    Collie Canaan Dog
    Average Price $1480 $1050
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $825 to $1275

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Canaan Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Canaan Dog 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 Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Canaan Dogs 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, Canaan Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Bondok is a Male Canaan Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Canaan Dogs like Bondok that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Collie and the Canaan Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Lex is an adorable Male Canaan Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Collies and Canaan Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Canaan Dog

    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 Canaan Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Year Collie Popularity Rank Canaan Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 35 164
    2014 36 176
    2015 36 170
    2016 37 181
    2017 40 175
    2018 38 179
    2019 38 179
    2020 40 184
    2021 38 187

    Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Canaan Dog

    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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Canaan Dog than for the Collie.

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 5 tests are recommended for the Canaan Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Canaan Dogs.

    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:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.

    Canaan Dog Health Problems

    Canaan Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Canaan Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Canaan Dogs

    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:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 1 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 13 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 16 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 65 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 107 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 182 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Canaan Dog Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the Canaan Dog ranks 33 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 300 Canaan Dogs, 15 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Canaan Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Canaan Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 33 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 36 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 95 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 131 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 137 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 185 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Canaan Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Canaan Dog:

    Disease Collie Rank Canaan Dog Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 1 out of 182 dog breeds 137 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 33 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 65 out of 115 dog breeds 36 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 107 out of 144 dog breeds 131 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 182 out of 198 dog breeds 185 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 95 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 Canaan Dog

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Collies shed more than Canaan Dogs?

    Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Canaan Dog?

    Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Canaan Dog?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Canaan Dogs?

    Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Canaan Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Canaan Dog?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Canaan Dog

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Canaan Dogs?

    Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Canaan Dog?

    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.

    Canaan Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Canaan Dogs?

    Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Canaan Dog

    Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Canaan Dog?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Canaan Dog?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:

    Collie versus Newfoundland     Collie versus Stabyhoun     Collie versus German Shepherd Dog     Collie versus Akbash     Collie versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Collie versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Collie versus Mountain Cur     Collie versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Collie versus Welsh Terrier     Collie versus Chi-Poo     Collie versus Brittany     Collie versus Whippet     Collie versus Canaan Dog     Collie versus Samoyed     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog better suits you and your family.