Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Leonberger: Introduction
- Collie versus Leonberger: Overview
- Collie versus Leonberger: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Leonberger
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Leonberger
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Leonberger
- Lifespan of Collie versus Leonberger
- Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Collie
- Price of Collie versus Price of Leonberger
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Leonberger
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Leonberger
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Leonberger
- Do Collies shed more than Leonbergers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Leonberger?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Leonberger?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Leonbergers?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Leonberger?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Leonberger
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Leonbergers?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Leonberger?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Leonbergers?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Leonberger
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Leonberger. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Leonberger: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Leonberger? 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Leonberger 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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger.
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 Leonberger.
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 Leonberger.
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 Leonberger: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Leonberger is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Leonberger 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 Leonberger
| Factor | Collie | Leonberger |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 120 to 170 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1140 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $500 – $2188 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 96.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 97 |
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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger is 63 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Leonberger. So, you should get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Leonberger
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Leonberger are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Leonberger
The Collie and the Leonberger are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Leonberger are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Leonberger
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Leonberger.
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 Leonberger weighs 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. The Leonberger is 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Leonberger
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 Leonberger is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Leonberger is 11.0 years.
The Collie live longer than the Leonberger.
Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Collie
The Leonberger has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 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 96.0 percent, the Leonberger has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Leonberger by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 25 Leonbergers.
Price of Collie versus Price of Leonberger
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 Leonberger puppy is $1140. The price of the Leonberger typically ranges from $500 – $2188. However, the price of the Leonberger can be as low as $300 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 10 Leonberger puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Collie is more expensive than the Leonberger.
| Collie | Leonberger | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1140 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $500 to $2188 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Leonberger. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Leonberger 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 Leonbergers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Leonberger 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
The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Leonberger
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 Leonberger over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Leonberger. 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 Leonberger is 97 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Leonberger
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Leonberger Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 98 |
| 2014 | 36 | 104 |
| 2015 | 36 | 93 |
| 2016 | 37 | 95 |
| 2017 | 40 | 100 |
| 2018 | 38 | 93 |
| 2019 | 38 | 95 |
| 2020 | 40 | 98 |
| 2021 | 38 | 102 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Leonberger
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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Leonberger than for the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 10 tests are recommended for the Leonberger.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Leonbergers.
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.
Leonberger Health Problems
Leonbergers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Leonberger 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 Leonberger puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Leonberger 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 Leonbergers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Leonbergers
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 Leonberger Breed is Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
This is because the Leonberger ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1600 Leonbergers, 22 of them had Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Leonbergers, and how common these diseases are in Leonbergers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Leonberger and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Leonberger:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Leonberger Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 20 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 | 41 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | 38 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 74 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 83 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2 problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Leukoencephalomyelopathy problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 34 out of 71 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 Leonberger
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Leonbergers?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Leonbergers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Leonberger?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Leonbergers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Leonberger?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Leonbergers?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Leonbergers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Leonberger?
Collies are very easy to train.
Leonbergers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Leonberger
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Leonbergers drool moderately.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Leonbergers?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Leonbergers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Leonberger?
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.
Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Leonberger
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Leonberger?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Leonberger?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Leonbergers 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 Leonberger. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Dachshund Collie versus Valley Bulldog Collie versus Standard Schnauzer Collie versus Goldendoodle Collie versus Brussels Griffon Collie versus Australian Terrier Collie versus Swedish Vallhund Collie versus Finnish Spitz Collie versus Border Terrier Collie versus Pointer Collie versus Belgian Sheepdog Collie versus Norfolk Terrier Collie versus Irish Wolfhound Collie versus Bich PooConclusion: Collie versus Leonberger. 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 Leonberger better suits you and your family.
