Collie versus Toy Poodle. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Collie Versus Toy Poodle: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Toy Poodle 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 Toy Poodle. 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 Toy Poodle.

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 Toy Poodle.

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 Toy Poodle.

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 Toy Poodle

Collie versus Toy Poodle: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the Toy Poodle is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Toy Poodle is a small-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 Toy Poodle 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 Toy Poodle: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Toy Poodle 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 Toy Poodle

FactorCollieToy Poodle
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span10 to 14 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Easy To Groom2/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulderFrom 6 to over 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/55/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
General Health3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/54/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Low Prey Drive2/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Does NOT Shed1/55/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds6 to 10 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1480$2760
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1894 – $3500
Temperament Score80.8 percent78.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    *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 Toy Poodle. 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 Toy Poodle is 88 out of 125.

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

    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 Toy Poodle

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Toy Poodle

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Toy Poodle are most different:

  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Toy Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Toy Poodle

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Toy Poodle.

    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 Toy Poodle weighs 6 to 10 pounds when fully grown. The Toy Poodle is From 6 to over 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Collie versus Size of Toy Poodle

    Lifespan of Collie versus Toy Poodle

    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 Toy Poodle is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Toy Poodle is 13.5 years.

    The Toy Poodle live longer than the Collie.

    Collie versus Toy Poodle

    Temperament of the Toy Poodle Versus the Collie

    The Collie has a better temperament than the Toy Poodle.

    This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Toy Poodle is 78.9 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 78.9 percent, the Toy Poodle has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Toy Poodle by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 57 Toy Poodles.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Toy Poodle

    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 Toy Poodle puppy is $2760. The price of the Toy Poodle typically ranges from $1894 – $3500. However, the price of the Toy Poodle can be as low as $450 and as high as $9835. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 872 Toy Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Toy Poodle is more expensive than the Collie.

    Collie Toy Poodle
    Average Price $1480 $2760
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1894 to $3500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Toy Poodle. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Toy Poodle 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 Toy Poodles

    A breakdown of the prices of Toy Poodles

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Toy Poodle

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Toy Poodles do not like to be left alone.

    Do Collies shed more than Toy Poodles?

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

    Toy Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Toy Poodle?

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

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

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

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Toy Poodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Toy Poodles?

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

    Toy Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Toy Poodle?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Toy Poodles are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Toy Poodle

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Toy Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Toy Poodles?

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

    Toy Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Toy Poodle?

    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.

    Toy Poodles 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 Toy Poodles?

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

    Toy Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Toy Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Toy Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Toy Poodle

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

    Toy Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Toy Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Toy Poodles can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Toy Poodle?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Toy Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Toy Poodles 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 Toy Poodle. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:

    Collie versus Samoyed     Collie versus Jack Russell Terrier     Collie versus Shichon     Collie versus Leonberger     Collie versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Collie versus French Bulldog     Collie versus Boerboel     Collie versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Collie versus Collie     Collie versus Barbet     Collie versus Siberian Husky     Collie versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Collie versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Collie versus Labradoodle     Collie versus Black Russian Terrier     Collie versus Bolognese     Collie versus Spinone Italiano     Collie versus Mal Shi     Collie versus American Hairless Terrier     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Toy Poodle. 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 Toy Poodle better suits you and your family.