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Ever wondered about the Australian Shepherd versus the Border Collie? Both of these breeds are working dogs that were originally used to breed farm animals. If you saw them together, you would probably think that they are the same dog, and you would not be mistaken.
Related to each other, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are similar to each other and are highly intelligent, trainable, playful, outgoing and energetic pets. With that said, what motivates people to choose one breed over another? It turns out they have different countries of origin, which leads to some differences in appearance, character, skills, herding style and other aspects that are best compared side by side.
Australian Shepherd vs. Border Collie – Let’s take a look at how best to tell the difference between the two herding dog breeds!
Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie Comparison
| Australian shepherd | Border Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | California, USA | Anglo-Scottish border |
| Category and tasks | Job – Grazing, acting | Job – grazing, tricks and agility |
| Pedigree | Shepherd dogs from Spain or Germany, collies, German shepherds | Collie Landrace from the British Isles |
| Tail and eyes | Bobtail; blue, walnut brown, black, combinations | Bobtail: brown, blue, two-tone, marbled |
| Types and length of coats | Black, blue merle, red or red merle, double medium length thick / long or short / thin | Several; two-layer long or medium length coarse or short / smooth |
| The size | Middle | Middle |
| Temperament and personality | Social, smart, energetic | Demanding, playful, smart, athletic |
| Friendliness to children and strangers | Herds of small children; outgoing | Guard, herds of small children; wary |
| Communication with other dogs | Friendly | Assertive |
| Fear of separation | General | General |
| Rage and barking | Vocals | Vocals |
| Intelligence and learnability | Above the average | Extremely high |
| Energy level | High | High |
| Life span | 9-12-15 years old | 10-17 years old |
| Health issues | Hip dysplasia, cataracts, hearing problems, epilepsy, kidney disease, CEA, MDS | Hip dysplasia, vision and hearing problems, dental problems, OCD, epilepsy, musculoskeletal disorders, EPO, hypothyroidism |
| Price to own | 400-2000 dollars | 200-1000 dollars |
5 main differences between the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie:
1. Country of origin and origin:
Both breeds are descended from European collies, but Australian Shepherds also have ancestors from Spain or Germany and share genetics with German Shepherds. Border Collies are descended from Landrace Collies in the British Isles. Australian Shepherds are an American breed that originated in California, USA and border collies on the Anglo-Scottish border.
2. Appearance:
The coat and color of these breeds can be very similar. However, the border collie has more coat colors. It is thinner and lighter than the Australian Shepherd, which is about 15 pounds heavier and has a wider face. As a rule, the coat of the Australian Shepherd is multi-colored, and not black and white like the border collie. Both can have brown eyes, but the Australian Shepherd can also have blue, two-tone, or marbled eyes.
3. Sociability and tasks:
Australian Shepherds are not particularly committed to tasks such as Border Collies, which tend to have OCD. Border Collies are also more in need, seem to suffer more from separation anxiety, are more protective of children and owners, fear strangers, and persist in meeting other dogs. They do best with a few older children or other adults to keep them company and play with according to their demanding nature.
Both breeds are not only herding dogs, but also excellent guard dogs. The Australian Shepherd is a popular choice among canine actors, and the Border Collie is great at tricks and dexterity.
4. Herd style:
A look at each breed will show you the differences in their keeping style. When the Australian Shepherd is at work, it focuses on being a driving dog (or driver), communicates through movement with random barks, and stands sideways behind or next to the livestock to move them. The Border Collie is a herd-gathering dog and communicates with it by eye contact, using a direct gaze called “gaze” and a silent sneaking motion to intimidate livestock and move them.
5. Ownership price:
Both breeds of puppies will cost about the same from rescue or shelter. The average cost of ownership from a breeder varies based on age and other factors of the dog, and both breeds have overlapping prices ranging from $ 600-800. However, Australian Shepherds tend to be more expensive, averaging $ 950 versus $ 650 for a border collie.
Next: 5 animals that undergo metamorphosis and how they do it
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