Collie versus Coton de Tulear. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Collie Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear.

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 Coton de Tulear.

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 Coton de Tulear.

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 Coton de Tulear

Collie versus Coton de Tulear: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the Coton de Tulear is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Coton de Tulear is a tiny-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 Coton de Tulear belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Collie versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear

FactorCollieCoton de Tulear
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span10 to 14 years14 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/55/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
General Health3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/55/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Does NOT Shed1/55/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds8 to 13 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years15.0 years
Average Price$1480$1980
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1600 – $2400
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds3775
    *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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125.

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

    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!

    Collie versus Coton de Tulear

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Coton de Tulear

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are most different:

  • Collies have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Coton de Tulear

    The Collie and the Coton de Tulear are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are most similar:

  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Coton de Tulear get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size Comparison of the Collie versus Coton de Tulear

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Coton de Tulear.

    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 Coton de Tulear weighs 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. The Coton de Tulear is 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Collie versus Size of Coton de Tulear

    Lifespan of Collie versus Coton de Tulear

    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 Coton de Tulear is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Coton de Tulear is 15.0 years.

    The Coton de Tulear live longer than the Collie.

    Collie versus Coton de Tulear

    Price of Collie versus Price of Coton de Tulear

    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 Coton de Tulear puppy is $1980. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1600 – $2400. However, the price of the Coton de Tulear can be as low as $550 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 253 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Collie.

    Collie Coton de Tulear
    Average Price $1480 $1980
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1600 to $2400

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Coton de Tulear. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear

    Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Coton de Tulear

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Coton de Tulears 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, Coton de Tulears are also available for adoption. For example, Adam is a Male Coton de Tulear that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Coton de Tulears like Adam that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Collie and the Coton de Tulear can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Collies and Coton de Tulears that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    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 Coton de Tulear over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 75 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Year Collie Popularity Rank Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank
    2013 35 no data
    2014 36 31.0
    2015 36 85.0
    2016 37 80.0
    2017 40 81.0
    2018 38 81.0
    2019 38 81.0
    2020 40 80.0
    2021 38 83.0

    Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Coton de Tulear

    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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Coton de Tulear.

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Coton de Tulear.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Coton de Tulears.

    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.

    Coton de Tulear Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Coton de Tulears

    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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

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

  • Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 2 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 36 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 61 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 71 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 103 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 121 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 168 out of 182 Dog Breeds

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

    Disease Collie Rank Coton de Tulear Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 1 out of 182 dog breeds 168 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 61 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 107 out of 144 dog breeds 103 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 182 out of 198 dog breeds 121 out of 198 dog breeds
    Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems Not Common 1 out of 2 dog breeds
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems Not Common 2 out of 5 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 36 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 71 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Coton de Tulear

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Do Collies shed more than Coton de Tulears?

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

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Coton de Tulear?

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

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Coton de Tulear?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?

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

    Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Coton de Tulear

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Coton de Tulears?

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

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?

    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.

    Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Coton de Tulears?

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

    Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Coton de Tulear

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

    Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Coton de Tulear?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Coton de Tulear?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Coton de Tulear. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:

    Collie versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Collie versus Cockalier     Collie versus Canaan Dog     Collie versus Bolognese     Collie versus Dogo Argentino     Collie versus Pointer     Collie versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Collie versus Kooikerhondje     Collie versus Scottish Deerhound     Collie versus Portuguese Water Dog     Collie versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Collie versus Boerboel     Collie versus Tibetan Mastiff     Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Collie versus Puggle     Collie versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Collie versus Border Collie     Collie versus Redbone Coonhound     Collie versus Hovawart     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear better suits you and your family.