What is the difference between border collie and Australian shepherd?
Border collie and Australian shepherd are dog breeds. The two keep on being confused by people but the two are completely different from each other.
Both dogs are very energetic and they need work for them to utilize their energy well. They are both smart but sometimes border collie outsmarts Australian Shepherds.
The main difference between a border collie and an Australian shepherd is that a border collie has a rougher coat hence requires more grooming to keep it neat.
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Comparison Table (Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd)
| Characteristics | Border collie | Australian shepherd |
| Texture of coat | It has a denser and rougher coat. | It has a light and smoother coat. |
| Size | It is comparatively smaller and lighter. | It is heavier and bigger in size. |
| Temperament | They are smart, work-oriented, and energetic. | They are smart, work-oriented, and social. |
| Canine size | They have slightly smaller canines. | They have large canines. |
| Behavior | They a little timider. | They are more aggressive. |
| Intelligence | It is a bit more intelligent. | It has a bit little intelligence. |
What is Border Collie?
The border collie is a working and energetic breed of dog developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region. It was developed for the purpose of herding livestock such as sheep.
The breed is considered highly intelligent, energetic, acrobatic, and athletic. They usually compete in dog sports.
They are medium-sized dogs with a moderate amount of coats. The coat is often thick and prone to shedding.
Their eye color varies from brown to blue. Their ears are variable; some have fluffy erect ears, some have fully dropped ears, others have semi-erect ears.
They require more daily physical exercises and mental stimulation than many other breeds. It is becoming more of a companion animal than a herding animal.
They live between 12 to 13 years. The primary genetic diseases for this breed are Collie eye anomaly and epilepsy.
They have slightly smaller canines. As compared to other breeds, they are not that aggressive towards their enemies. They show timid behavior.
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What is an Australian Shepherd?
It is a medium-sized breed of dog that was developed in the United States. Their main colors are solid black and solid red. They may have tan points or white markings in various combinations on the face, chest, and legs.
Some Australian Shepherds are born with naturally bobbed or partially bobbed tails. The majority of them are born with full-length tails.
They are highly energetic and require great exercise and mental stimulation. They enjoy working, practicing tricks, competing in dog agility.
They are kind, loving, and devoted to those they know. They are loyal to their owners and rewarding dogs if treated well. They were developed to serve on the ranch. It involves being protective of its property.
They are considered to be a healthy breed. However, they may have several health problems. The common problems are vision problems and epilepsy.
They are more aggressive and can charge their enemies easily. They live socially in groups hence they do most of the things communally.
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Main Differences between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd
- Border collie has denser and rougher coat while Australian shepherd has a lighter and smoother coat.
- The border collie is comparatively smaller and lighter while the Australian shepherd is heavier and larger.
- The border collie is not a social animal while Australian shepherd is a social animal.
- The border collie is timid while the Australian shepherd is aggressive.
- The border collie is more intelligent as compared to the Australian shepherd.
Similarities between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd
- They are both energetic.
- They have an equal lifespan.
- Their prices are the same.
- They both require grooming.
- They are both smart and work-oriented.
- They both have average health.
In Conclusion
Border collie and Australian shepherd are dog breeds. They possess similar characteristics but they are slightly different from each other.
The border collie is considered the most intelligent breed among other breeds. Both breeds are energetic and they require a lot of physical exercises and mental stimulation for them to utilize the energy they have.
The main feature that makes border collie different from Australian shepherd is the texture of their coats.
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