Breed Comparison: Collie Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Collie Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

FactorCollieCaucasian Shepherd Dog
Does NOT Drool5/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/54/5
Life Span10 to 14 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder24 to 34 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/52/5
General Health3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/54/5
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/55/5
Dog Friendly4/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Does NOT Shed1/52/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds80 to 220 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1480$1960
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1500 – $2500
Temperament Score80.8 percent85.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get a Collie!

    Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

  • Collies do not have the tendency to drool. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Collies are good for new dog owners. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Collies 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. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size Comparison of the Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog weighs 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Collie versus Size of Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Lifespan of Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 11.0 years.

    The Collie live longer than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Temperament of the Collie Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Collie.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $1960. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 71 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Collie.

    Collie Caucasian Shepherd Dog
    Average Price $1480 $1960
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

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

    Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

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

    Also, Chuck is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 7 tests are recommended for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Caucasian Shepherd 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.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Collies shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

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

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd 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.

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

    Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

    Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:

    Collie versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Collie versus Kishu Ken     Collie versus Norfolk Terrier     Collie versus Afador     Collie versus Norwegian Lundehund     Collie versus Shihpoo     Collie versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Collie versus Cane Corso     Collie versus Morkie     Collie versus American Hairless Terrier     Collie versus Leonberger     Collie versus Sealyham Terrier     Collie versus Sloughi     Collie versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Collie versus Affenhuahua     Collie versus Affenpinscher     

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